For many people, the holidays are a time when the family gathers for a festive meal. But for people struggling to afford food, this may not be the case. Feeding South Dakota recently held its 5th annual Turkey Drive to provide families in need with a Thanksgiving meal.
A line of cars nearly a quarter of a mile long filed into the parking lot of Feeding South Dakota’s Turkey drive early one morning in Rapid City. Volunteers dressed in thick coats placed turkeys and grocery bags filled with food for a Thanksgiving meal in the cars as they passed.
Feeding South Dakota held Turkey D rives in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. 500 Turkeys were given away in both locations during the event. Debbie Renner is a development associate for Feeding South Dakota in Rapid City.
“It was really fun to be able to be able to help people and to visit with them. Many of them were really grateful we heard a lot that we had made their Thanksgiving-that without us, they wouldn’t have been able to have that special meal,” says Renner.
She says that this event isn’t much different from what the organization normally does but that the need for food is greater during the holidays.
Feeding South Dakota’s agencies will distribute the remaining turkeys.
Jennifer Stensaas is a development associate for Feeding South Dakota in Sioux Falls. She says more people are in need than the agency can provide.
“Our goal this year is to provide 2,500 turkeys to our agencies and families in need across the state. On average we’re seeing hundreds of families, possibly even into the thousands every month through our pantries in Sioux Falls and in Rapid City. But this is a realistic goal for us this year and we’re hoping that any little bit that we can provide will help provide a holiday meal to a struggling family in need in our areas,” Stensaas says.
The event is just one of the efforts in South Dakota to feed people in need during the holiday season. The annual Turkey Drive is scheduled to take place next year as well.
The following links are places to volunteer or donate.