May 18, 2020
Des Moines, IA — The Wellmark Foundation announced it has provided a $75,000 grant that will provide the equivalent of 225,000 meals for Feeding South Dakota. The donation will help support the growing number of requests Feeding South Dakota is receiving for food assistance as a result of COVID-19.
"The number of people needing food continues to grow across our state and we are grateful for the additional support from The Wellmark Foundation," said Matt Gassen, Feeding South Dakota's CEO. "This donation will help us to continue providing for the unprecedented demand and ensure that those in need will continue to have access to nutritious food."
Food-insecure individuals are defined as those who face barriers in accessing nutritious foods. However, with more families dealing with recent furloughs or layoffs and children out of school, demands on Feeding South Dakota have more than doubled. Food insecurity can impact a child's ability to learn, can lead to poor growth, poor lifelong eating habits and increased obesity rates.
"Having access to healthy and nutritious food is a basic need," said Becky Wampler Bland, executive director of The Wellmark Foundation. "This grant from The Wellmark Foundation will help fill a critical gap for South Dakotans – at a time when it is needed most. We are proud to support Feeding South Dakota's tireless commitment to providing nutritious food in these trying times."
Learn more about The Wellmark Foundation or Feeding South Dakota External Site resources and volunteer opportunities.
