SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — An increased need for help among low-income South Dakotans and those facing unexpected financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic is putting great stress on food banks and charities that keep poor people supplied with food and other basic needs.
As the pandemic continues to harm the state economy, more people are needing food at the same time food donations and volunteers to process the food are harder to come by.
In early April, the state’s largest network of food banks, Feeding South Dakota, said it expected food donations to fall by half for the month.
At the same time, the 211 Helpline Center — a key connection between people in need and the organizations that provide help — has seen its number of calls for help more than double.
Many of the people asking for help are doing so for the first time and have no experience in managing a severe financial crisis. For some, the pandemic is the first time they have signed up for unemployment benefits, sought food stamps under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or asked for help from food pantries.
In the latest package published by South Dakota News Watch, available here, reporter Nick Lowrey shows how charities are adapting to the increased need and finding ways to continue to provide food at a time when their resources are dwindling.
