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Feeding South Dakota reached a major milestone this month and can now reach even more hungry people.
The new truck may not look that different from any other hauling truck. But for Feeding South Dakota, its opening doors and fulfilling dreams.
"I think it is all apart of a dream. There again that's that thing that motivates you, makes you get up and come to work everyday is know that there is more work to be done," Feeding South Dakota Executive Director Matt Gassen said.
Some of that work Gassen is talking about is reaching areas where South Dakota has some of the poorest counties in the nation.
"We wanted to reach those areas, those more remote communities or rural communities where they are having trouble, where people may be having trouble accessing emergency food assistance and in some cases, you know there is already a program in place but that program is struggling to keep up," Gassen said
Now Feeding South Dakota can fill this truck with all kinds of food to fill a need and it's one they have already been shocked has had such a huge response.
"You know we are surprised and maybe even a little saddened by how much need is out there," Gassen said
Through the aisles of its food pantries, Gassen sees faces of hungry people everyday. And now as the group makes a trek through the middle of the state, they see the need is one that may never see go away, but even with that truth, it keeps them pushing for the ultimate goal.
"I may not live to see it but someday nobody in South Dakota will go to bed and thinking, 'I'm hungry,' or, 'Where will I get food tomorrow?'" Gassen said.
Feeding South Dakota is always in need of donations to keep their programs running.
And now with the mobile pantry as a permanent part of what they do, those donations have become even more important.
