SASD Community Helping Hands Award

The Community Helping Hands Award recognizes a school district and their non-school community partner for their outstanding collaboration in implementing a successful program, project or activity that has generated significant local community involvement and positively impacted the education of children.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION

2023 Winner

Douglas School District & Feeding South Dakota

The partnership between Feeding South Dakota and Douglas School District began when Feeding SD approached the school district with the idea of opening a community food pantry on the school grounds.  The value of having a pantry located within the school, makes it possible to provide easy access to food assistance for families who might otherwise be unable to access it.  The pantry opened in January 2020 and serves approximately 160-200 families a month. The pantry is staffed by volunteers from district staff, students, community members along with students in the transition program.   It is open to anyone with children in the district who need assistance.  In addition to helping the community, the pantry provides students with the opportunity to learn about hunger and to get involved with volunteering.