Community Foundation grant awarded to pantry

About 40 persons shared breakfast at the Bum Steer restaurant Friday (1/13/12) as part of the Spearfish Area Chamber of Commerce "Morning Mixer."  But the real purpose for the gathering was to witness the presentation of several grants by the Spearfish Area Community Foundation to local non-profit organizations that provide a wide range of valuable goods and services.

Foundation president Priscilla Romkema introduced representatives from 10 different organization that received the grants -- including $2,000 to the Spearfish Community Food Pantry.  Those valuable funds will support the purchase and distribution of food items to needy citizens in the Spearfish and St. Onge communities.  Eleven churches operate the pantry, which last year moved to a new facility at the Spearfish Recreation and Aquatics Center -- thanks, in part, to an earlier grant from the Spearfish Area Community Foundation.

Pantry president Karen Miller (top left in above photo) thanked the foundation for their staunch support of pantry operations.

"These funds will allow us to continue to provide assistance to needy families and individuals, often reaching as many as 400 to 500 persons each month," said Miller.  "Those numbers include many who are unemployed, underemployed, elderly, single-parent families, and individuals who are in a major life transition." 

Other grant recipients in the photograph include (clockwise from bottom left):  Teri Royer, Artemis House;  JoAnna Prewitt, Big Brother, Big Sisters; Karen Miller, Spearfish Community Food Pantry; Renae Servaty, Northern Hills CASA; Marlene Todd, Lawrence County Teen Court; Shelly Brito, Spearfish Arts Center/Matthews Opera House; Daman Heitz, Lutheran Social Services/Canyon Hills Center; Myles Kennedy, Special Olympics; Brittni Skipper, BHSU Center for Enterprise Opportunity; Bunker Hill, Good Shepherd Clinic; Sue Konstant, Good Shepherd Clinic; and Helen Merriman, BHSU Center for Enterprise Opportunity. 

Creekside strikes again!

Mrs. Damuth's Fourth Grade Class from Creekside Elementary School visited the pantry on Wednesday, December 14th -- and they brought with them 106 pounds of food to help feed needy families!  They bought the food at Lueder's Food Center with money they had earned from pie sales.  Creekside Elementary students have become quite popular around the pantry, since we see their smiling faces a lot.  Thanks to Michelle Damuth and her wonderful group of Fourth Graders!

Spearfish Regional employees contribute!

"Blue Jeans Day" at Spearfish Regional Hospital netted some $273.22 to benefit the Spearfish Food Pantry.  The Spearfish Community Food Pantry received this over-sized check to the pantry on Monday (12/12/11). Shown (left-to-right) are:  Angela Leonard, Michael Delano, pantry president Karen Miller, Hospital Administrator Larry Veitz, Matthew Long, and Lana Grout.  Our thanks to the great folks at regional!

Scouts food drive pulls in 7,632 lbs.....and counting!

Volunteers had their hands full at the Spearfish Community Food Pantry during the 2011 Scout Food Drive conducted in Spearfish and St. Onge last Saturday 12/10/11

One of the biggest and most gratifying food drive campaigns of the year comes in December when area scouts go door-to-door to drop off empty plastic donation bags......and then return to pick them up, stuffed with donations from generous local citizen!

This year, donations came flooding in to the Spearfish Community Food Pantry on Saturday morning, December 10th.

And dozens of volunteers of all ages were waiting at the pantry.  Our camera was there to catch some of the action, and you'll find photos in the Pantry Gallery.

Finally, at about 9:30 a.m., the onslaught began.

Volunteer Perry Beguin weighs
early food donations on Saturday

Trucks, sedans, pickups....... vehicles of all sorts began arriving at the pantry carrying non-perishable food items intended to help bolster dwindling food reserves that seem to be in increasing demand across the county.

And it's certainly no different in Spearfish and St. Onge, where the number of needy patrons come to the pantry each week in need of some assistance.

"We continue to be astounded at the enormous support that members of the community give to the pantry," said pantry president Karen Miller.

"With nearly 7,700 pounds of newly-donated food on our shelves, we're confident that we'll be able to respond favorably to the needy neighbors in our area. And it's especially gratifying at this time of the year, as families gather for the holiday season. No one should have to go without some food on the table this holiday season."

Miller heaped particular praise on the many young people who turned out to help with the food drive.

"Scouts of all ages from around the Spearfish and St. Onge area again demonstrated what a difference they make in our community."

"We couldn't have done it without the kids!"

And it wasn't just scouts. 4-H members and other youth groups showed up to lend a hand and complete a task in just a few hours that would have taken regular food pantry volunteers many days to complete.

"The real heroes, of course, are the members of our community who have reached into their hearts and onto their own pantry shelves to help fill ours. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to the many local residents and businesses who've given such wonderful support to our cause.

The Spearfish Community Food Pantry is a non-profit organizations serving needy neighbors in Spearfish and St. Onge. Tax deductible cash donations can be sent to the Spearfish Food Pantry, 131 Yankee St., Spearfish, SD 57783. Such donations allow the pantry to purchase much-needed food items that are in short supply. For further information, call 642-0940.

It's a wonderful life!

It truly is a “wonderful life” when you have friends like Northern Hills Cinema and Prestige Auto Sales in Spearfish.  Both businesses are sponsoring two weekends of great movies, and the proceeds will benefit the Spearfish Community Food Pantry.

This weekend (Saturday and Sunday, December 10^th and 11^th) it’s the classic holiday favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life, starring James Steward, Donna Reed, Sheldon Leonard, and cast of characters that have become holiday favorites.  The shows start at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Admission is ONE CAN OF FOOD and ONE DOLLAR, no matter what your age.  It’s great entertainment at an affordable price.  And all proceeds will benefit the Spearfish Community Food Pantry.

Next weekend (Saturday and Sunday, December 17^th and 18^th) it’s another terrific holiday movie:  National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation starring Chevy Chase.  Again, the shows begin at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and for the same great rate of $1 and one can of food.

Our thanks to Prestige Auto Sales and Northern Hills Cinema for their wonderful support of the Spearfish Community Food Pantry and the people we serve.  For additional information and times, check out Northern Hills Cinema.

Queen City Lions Club gives pantry a boost

Queen City Lions Club is one of the latest local organizations to 

provide assistance to the Spearfish Community Food Pantry. 

During the first week of December they presented a check for 

$185 to help the pantry carry out its work -- AND they brought 

in 25 pounds of food, too! Left-to-right in the photo are: 

pantry board member Richard Hauck, pantry Treasurer Larry 

Weiers, Queen City Lions members Vicky Glatt and Traci Bratt, 

and pantry board member Cathy Inghram. Thanks Lions!

Creekside kids aid Food Pantry

One of the most heartwarming things we've seen this fall is the remarkable steps taken by students at the new Creekside Elementary School who stepped up to help needy neighbors with a successful food drive mobilized under the moniker of "Community Day."

Nine-year-old Jaxson Enninga is
the son of Rick & Michelle Enninga.

A story by Heather Murschel in the Thursday edition (11/17/11) of the Black Hills Pioneer provided details of how young Jaxson Enninga -- a third grader -- suggested that the school conduct a food drive.  School officials embraced the idea and helped organize the week-long drive, encouraging students and Spearfish residents to bring nonperishable food items to the school.

And they did just that!  The campaign culminated today -- Community Day -- with the delivery of nearly 700 pounds of food to the Spearfish Community Food Pantry.

"It's just awesome that young people are not only recognizing needs within their community, but that they're stepping up and taking action to help meet some of those needs," said pantry president Karen Miller.

Like food pantries all across the country, the Spearfish pantry has witnessed a significant increase in the number people who rely upon them to help feed families.

"Keeping pace with the needs of the community is always a concern," said Miller.  "But with the great support of citizens across the community -- including these young people -- we're optimistic that we'll be able to accommodate needy families through the holiday season.

These members of the Creekside Elementary Student Council
give a big "Thumbs Up" for a successful Food Drive.

Our hats off to the students, teachers and staff at Creekside Elementary for their thoughtfulness and good work on behalf of the Spearfish Community Food Pantry and the people we serve.