Number of Food Bank Users Increasing
Local News
by
Adam Uhernik
last edited on
Friday, February 05, 2010
Despite the economy being relatively stable in the state, a new study shows the number of people needing food in South Dakota is growing.
Community food banks, including the one in Rapid City, participated in a national study. It revealed over 78,000 people statewide received emergency food assistance each week from various agencies.
Those with the Rapid City Food Bank say over 28,000 kids and 7,000 seniors are in need.
Anthony Walters with the Community Food Bank says, "There were a lot of kids. It's heartfelt to see them. They have no bearing of what goes on in their life and seeing them go hungry is really truly something that I care about."
Walters says he's not surprised by the numbers, and hopes the study will help secure funding from the legislature. He says more children are suffering than adults.
That's why the BackPack Program, where kids can take home food for the weekend, is so important.
Monica Leitheiser with the Community Food Bank says, "We'd love to increase our program but of course it’s going by funding and we have so many more schools we could get into. We'd love to grow it."
Just four years ago, the BackPack Program in Rapid City sent 100 kids a week home with food for the weekend. Now the program serves 1,400 per week.