SNAP, a nationwide food benefits program serving nearly 75,000 South Dakotans, runs out of money November 1. For one South Dakota grocer and benefactor, this represents a catastrophic failure on the part of Washington politicians.
For R.F. Buche, founder of nonprofit Team Buche Cares and president of grocery chain G.F. Buche Co, his dedication to minimizing hunger started at an early age.
“There was a young mom that was coming through the check stand, and she didn’t have enough money for her groceries," Buche said. "My dad went over and quietly gave the money so she could put food on her family’s table that evening. After she left, I asked my dad, dad why did you do that? He just said ‘R.F., when you’re in this business, it’s your moral obligation to make sure no one goes hungry. I’ve just never forgotten that.”
Now as both a business owner and a lobbyist, Buche said it is inexcusable for 42 million Americans to not have food assistance.
“Figure it out," Buche said. "That’s all I can say. Figure it out. We are playing with people's lives. Figure it out. We can disagree about other things all day long, but I don’t think anyone can disagree that food is a necessity.”
In response, Team Buche Cares has opened a new program seeking to keep families fed.
“Our current initiative is a SNAP relief fund, and we are going to give as many SNAP households (as possible) $100 worth of groceries," Buche said. "Team Buche Cares has committed $250,000. Going back to my great grandpa, it’s the right thing to do.”
100% of any further donations to the initiative will go directly to the SNAP relief fund rather than administrative pay.
A link to more information on SNAP relief funds can be found here.
