Hunger doesn’t slow down in winter — and neither do the people fighting it.
On March 25, Holy Spirit Knights of Columbus joined fellow community members at Feeding South Dakota’s distribution center to pack food boxes specifically for 500 seniors in our community. It was hands-on, it was purposeful, and it mattered.
Here’s why:
The Need Is real & growing. According to Feeding South Dakota’s Q1 Volunteer Newsletter, the numbers behind their mission are staggering:
- 16,539 volunteers contributed 33,727 hours in just the first half of their FY2026
- 6,899,068 pounds of food sorted, packed, and distributed
- 11.6 million meals provided to South Dakotans in 2025 (KOTA TV)
- All 66 counties served — rural communities, metro areas, and Native American Reservations
The need is intensifying. With recent disruptions to SNAP benefits and expected changes to Medicaid eligibility and ACA premiums, more families, especially more seniors, are turning to Feeding South Dakota for help.
Why Seniors?
Our March 25 packing event focused on senior food boxes for a reason. Across South Dakota, seniors living on fixed incomes are among the most food-insecure. As one Feeding South Dakota recipient, Dennis, put it: “Look around at who’s here — it’s mainly seniors.” Dennis drives 30 minutes each month from Lennox to a mobile distribution site in Sioux Falls just to make his Social Security stretch far enough. He’s not alone.
For every $10 donated, Feeding South Dakota provides 30 meals. But it takes volunteer hands to sort, pack, and move that food to the people who need it.
That’s where our Knights and our community stepped in.
What’s Next
Feeding South Dakota’s work continues year-round, and so does ours. Watch for future volunteer opportunities on our events page. April is Volunteer Appreciation Month at Feeding South Dakota — a reminder that every shift filled, every box packed, and every mile driven makes a difference.
Vivat Jesus!
To learn more about Feeding South Dakota’s mission visit feedingsouthdakota.org. For information on Holy Spirit Knights of Columbus service events, visit hskoc.org.
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