Federal Cuts Slash $1.3 Million from Great Plains Food Bank: What This Means for Our Community

FARGO, N.D. — The Great Plains Food Bank is a crucial lifeline for many in North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota, providing essential food assistance. However, recent federal cuts have hit the food bank hard. The Emergency Food Assistance Program was cut, resulting in a loss of $300,000 needed for summer deliveries. This funding was vital for transporting food during the critical months of May through July.

Worse still, the food bank also lost $1 million from a local purchase agreement program run by the USDA. Darby Njos, the communications manager, explained, “We hoped to use this funding to support local ranchers and farmers, ensuring we could provide fresh, local food to our communities.” With these cuts combined, the food bank is facing a total funding shortfall of around $1.3 million.

In response, the Great Plains Food Bank is ramping up efforts to seek donations and launch new campaigns to keep their shelves stocked. Njos mentioned an increase in calls from community members wondering if the food bank would continue to be a reliable resource. He assured them it would. “We’re committed to fighting hunger,” he said. “We’ll just have to find new ways to do it.”

Despite the setbacks, there’s good news on the horizon: they’re planning a new distribution center in Fargo. “We just received $5 million from the state to help with this project,” Njos shared. “With this funding, we can build a facility that will speed up our delivery processes and reach more people.” This grant works as a match—every dollar raised will be met by state contributions up to $5 million.

The current distribution center has been in use since 2000 and is now at full capacity. The new facility is set to improve distribution efforts and increase efficiency. Groundbreaking is expected to take place in 2027, highlighting a hopeful future for food assistance.

As food banks across the country adapt to funding changes, the Great Plains Food Bank’s resilience stands out. A recent report from Feeding America notes that 1 in 8 Americans struggles with hunger, a reminder of the need for continued support in communities nationwide. Organizations like the Great Plains Food Bank remain essential to addressing this issue, working tirelessly to provide for those in need.

With these initiatives and community backing, the Great Plains Food Bank demonstrates a commitment to its mission, emphasizing local support and adaptation to continue aiding those experiencing food insecurity.

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