City Food Drive Yields Record Amounts of Food and Cash Donations

CITY FOOD DRIVE YIELDS RECORD AMOUNTS OF FOOD AND CASH DONATIONS

**Public’s generosity praised;

**Thousands of meals will be provided to local families through Feeding South Dakota

RAPID CITY, SD—A total of 2,253 pounds of food and $1,232.50 were donated as part of the recent community food drive sponsored by the City Public Works Department and AFSCME Union.

            The food drive, which ran from November 1 through last Friday, will support Feeding South Dakota.  The total of food donations this year surpassed the combined total collected the previous two years, according to food drive organizers.  According to Feeding South Dakota, the cash donations of $1,232.50 will provide nearly 3,700 meals for children and seniors.

            “The results of the food drive, both in terms of food and cash donations, were beyond our expectations,” said City Public Works Department food drive organizer Shannon Truax.  “We want to thank the community for their continued support of the food drive.  The public’s generosity this year will greatly impact so many people in our community.”

            AFSCME food drive organizer Sean Jewett said the community’s response was impressive.

            “I am always impressed by the generosity and support that exists in our community,” said Jewett.  “At a time when a lot of people are worried about the economy, it is amazing to see how many people were willing to be part of the solution. We pointed out a need and City staff and citizens really stepped up to make a difference.”

            A total of 2,100 pounds of food and $1,100 were donated during the first two years of the community food drive.  Drop off locations were set up again this year at City Hall, Rapid City Public Library, Public Safety Building and the west side Family Fare.