Free Food Giveaway CANCELLED (updated Oct. 26)

Published by admin on Tue, 10/19/2021 - 3:36pm

Alternate Options Revealed

as Food Giveaway is Cancelled

Area residents who rely on the food provided via the quarterly free food giveaway in Milbank will need to turn to other resources in the wake of the cancellation of the October giveaway. Initially slated for October 20 and then rescheduled to October 27, the giveaway has now been canceled entirely. Both the delay and the cancellation were in response to cold and rainy forecasts.

“It is nearly impossible to hold a successful food giveaway in the mud and rain,” commented Brenda Maass, one of the local organizers. Working with representatives of the Feeding South Dakota organization, the Christian Service Council volunteers could not find another day to conduct the giveaway. The giveaways can only be staged on days that the Feeding South Dakota semi can deliver, and there are several conflicts preventing their truck from coming to Milbank anytime soon.

“This decision is extremely difficult to make, as we know there are families in need of food, but there are still a couple of different avenues that are available to help assist families in Grant County,” Maass said.

Among those options are the Grant County Food Pantry, the upcoming holiday food boxes and direct assistance from the Grant County Service Council.

The Grant County Food Pantry is located on the first floor of the Grant County courthouse. There are no income guidelines to receive food from the pantry; however, recipients must be residents of Grant County and will be asked to fill out paperwork regarding information about their households. Residents can receive food once per month, up to six times per year, from the pantry. The pantry is open Monday through Friday. Those who need food should call Val VanLith in the ICAP office at 605-432-6571 to schedule an appointment.

The Christian Service Council also provides holiday boxes that are available for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Potential recipients can make requests for the holiday boxes through the ICAP office. Senior citizens who meet income guidelines can also apply for the senior box program, which supplies a food box each month for qualifying seniors. For more information, contact VanLith.

Maass reminds residents who are in need that they may also request financial assistance directly from the Grant County Service Council. Those interested in that avenue need to contact VanLith and make an appointment to fill out the necessary paperwork. “The Christian Service Council will review the request and will do their best to help lessen your financial burden,” Maass said.