John Stiegelmeier is the head football coach for South Dakota State University. He and his wife are partnering with Feeding South Dakota.
This is an organization that provides relief to families experiencing food insecurity
The Stiegelmeiers will match donations made to the organization’s programs to combat child hunger.
Coach John Stiegelmeier says he and his wife Laurie will match up to $12,000 for donations to Feeding South Dakota through May.
“There’s a great need there and I don’t know if everybody in South Dakota realizes it," Stiegelmeier says. "So at whatever level, I’d encourage people to step up and really make a difference in the people in our great state.”
Feeding South Dakota will provide the opportunity for participants to win prizes, including a dinner with John and Laurie Stiegelmeier and passes to travel with the SDSU football team to a game of their choice.
This is the third year Stiegelmeier will provide matching donations. He says there is a need to bring attention to food insecurity in South Dakota.
“As we’ve gotten to know Feeding South Dakota we’ve been amazed at, number one, the need in South Dakota, and number two, how well they serve the people," Stiegelmeier says.
South Dakota children receive free and reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program but that does not address nutritional needs outside of school.
Efforts such as the “backpack program” are meant to provide easy-to-prepare meals to children when school is not in session. More than five thousand children in the state receive services from Feeding South Dakota.