Celebrating Community Spirit in South Dakota: Feeding South Dakota’s Annual Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – As the crisp November air begins to sweep across the prairies of South Dakota, community spirit warms the hearts of many as Feeding South Dakota gears up for its annual Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway. This year, the event is set for Saturday, November 22, and promises to deliver a sense of hope and gratitude to thousands of families across the state.
Located at the iconic W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds and the Knife River facility in Sioux Falls, the event offers a lifeline to families struggling to make ends meet during this holiday season. The distribution kicks off at 8 a.m., where families will line up at the fairgrounds before being guided across the street to Knife River. The transition this year from outdoor to indoor at Knife River is particularly meaningful, given the notorious chill of South Dakota mornings.
- Event Date: Saturday, November 22
- Location: W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds and Knife River, Sioux Falls, SD
- Time: 8:00 – 10:00 a.m., while supplies last
- Link: Feeding South Dakota
Megan Kjose, the dedicated Chief Development Officer of Feeding South Dakota, expressed her gratitude towards the partnership. “It’s a really wonderful partnership that we have with Knife River, so that it makes it a little bit warmer on a cold morning,” she stated.
The importance of this event is felt far and wide across South Dakota. Prairie states like South Dakota see a unique blend of rural and urban communities that come together in times of need. As Kjose noted, “With everything that happened because of the shutdown, the lapse in SNAP for our guests as well, I think it has a special meaning this year than it might have normally.”
This outreach program is set to distribute 6,000 meal boxes statewide, with 1,500 meals earmarked for Sioux Falls alone. Each meal box is a cornucopia of traditional Thanksgiving fare: turkey, potatoes, fresh milk, and more. This not only ensures a delicious meal for struggling families but also upholds cherished holiday traditions.
Additionally, these efforts are buoyed by the generosity of the Greg and Pam Sands Foundation, which is matching all donations made in November to double the impact of each contribution. “If folks are interested in supporting this campaign, or other things that we have going on, we do have a generous match right now from the Greg and Pam Sands Foundation, so you can double the impact you have through a financial gift,” Kjose shared.
For the South Dakota community, the event serves as more than just a meal giveaway. It’s a testament to the power of community and collaboration. Volunteers have been tirelessly packing these Thanksgiving meals for weeks, illustrating the strength and resilience that often characterizes the people of South Dakota.
To ensure maximum reach, there’s a limit of one meal per family and two per vehicle, with an adult aged 18 or older required to be present. Kjose candidly informed participants to “just anticipate the wait” but reassured that every effort is made to streamline the process.
South Dakota’s commitment to combating food insecurity is evident not just in events like this, but in the continuous partnership and enthusiasm shown by its people. As families ready themselves for a Thanksgiving not centered solely around abundance but mindfulness and gratitude, the state’s robust community support is a keystone for many.
As the event date nears, volunteers and organizers at Feeding South Dakota continue to prepare for the 2025 Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway. For more information on volunteering, donations, or other upcoming initiatives, visit the official Feeding South Dakota website. Together, South Dakota stands as a beacon of hope, resilience, and unity this Thanksgiving.