Latest news with #FeedingSouthDakota
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hunger relief group says it's facing a $2.5 million budget shortfall due to federal cuts
Feeding South Dakota's Rapid City location on May 30, 2025. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight) South Dakota's largest hunger-relief organization says it faces a $2.5 million budget shortfall next year because of President Donald Trump's federal funding cuts. Feeding South Dakota CEO Lori Dykstra addressed lawmakers on a budget committee Friday in Pierre. She said the group has already cut the amount of food it provides and has merged distribution sites. She warned that unless the funding gap is filled, 21 food distribution events in 15 counties will be eliminated, affecting 3,400 families and eliminating more than 1.7 million meals annually. 'We're not here to say whether or not the federal funding decisions are right or wrong,' Dykstra said. 'We're just letting you know that one of the unintentional consequences is that the food safety net for Feeding South Dakota and for all of your neighbors facing hunger is at risk.' The cuts come from the rollback of federal aid by the Trump administration, particularly programs begun during the COVID-19 pandemic to help the U.S. Department of Agriculture support food distribution. Dykstra said the group must now find $2.5 million to replace lost USDA support in fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1, or make cuts. Dykstra also warned that if the current budget reconciliation legislation in Congress is enacted, the state could be on the hook for 5% of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and a larger share of SNAP administrative costs, adding up to a possible $13 million total state obligation. SNAP participants can use their benefits to purchase food. 'SNAP benefits get people out of food lines,' she said. 'So, it's either they're in the food bank line or they're in the grocery store.' Dykstra said 113,000 South Dakotans are food insecure, meaning they are uncertain about where their next meal will come from, often forced to skip meals, eat less, or purchase cheaper, less nutritious food. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Problems could outpace savings from proposed cuts to federal food and health programs
Feeding South Dakota is the state's largest hunger-relief organization and a member of the Feeding America Network. (Courtesy of Feeding South Dakota) As Congress weighs the latest budget reconciliation bill, it's important to take a step back and consider how these decisions will affect everyday people in South Dakota. Reducing federal spending and promoting self-reliance are important goals, but some of the proposed changes could unintentionally create more problems than they solve. If you've been to the grocery store lately, you've likely noticed how much harder it has become to afford the basics. For many families in South Dakota this isn't just a budget concern – it's a daily challenge. We urge Rep. Dusty Johnson, Sen. Mike Rounds and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to consider the concerning impacts that the current proposal by the House could have. Federal support for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would be significantly reduced, shifting more of the cost to states. South Dakota's share of that expense could range from $9 million to $18 million as early as 2028 — an increased pressure on a state budget already stretched thin. SD Rep. Johnson votes yes as U.S. House Republicans push through budget reconciliation bill At the same time, it would impact the South Dakota economy as SNAP supports 789 retailers in the state to the tune of over $156 million. Each SNAP dollar has up to $1.80 of economic impact, supporting the supply chain from farmer to store. Reduce the program, reduce the revenue. The increased state cost and reduced revenue would force states to make tough choices: cut benefits, limit eligibility or raise taxes to cover the gap. Proposed Medicaid cuts would hit rural hospitals especially hard, many of which are already stretched thin. These facilities are often the only source of care in their communities, and losing access would be devastating. The bill also includes new requirements tied to work. SNAP already includes work incentives and gradually reduces benefits as income rises. In South Dakota, over 80% of SNAP recipients live in a family that has one working adult. Congress modernized SNAP by requiring regular updates to the monthly benefits. However, the current bill includes a proposal to limit future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, which determines SNAP benefit levels. This would reduce support over time, even as food prices remain high. The average SNAP benefit is still just $6.57 per person, per day, in our state. At Feeding South Dakota, we are seeing more working families, seniors, children and veterans through our programs and partners; in fact, 15% more than this time last year. We are operating at full capacity and have already felt the very real impact of federal changes after food for 147,000 meals was immediately discontinued in April. It is critical that federal programs stay strong to support the fight to end hunger, or the gap between need and resources will become too great for us to close. If you take nothing else from this, know that the proposed cuts would: Increase hunger. Decrease local revenue. Overwhelm already strained food pantries. We urge our lawmakers to think critically about any cuts through a budget reconciliation bill that undermines SNAP and Medicaid. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Could Trump's reconciliation bill impact SNAP benefits?
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — President Trump's reconciliation bill includes a list of campaign promises. One potential impact includes possible cuts to SNAP benefits. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits food banks like Feeding South Dakota by lowering demand at their locations and getting more people to buy food directly from retailers. Feeding South Dakota CEO Lori Dykstra said President Trump's reconciliation bill could change some of that. 'We're hearing 10% of that cost could go back to our state, which could mean $18 million to our state budget, and I just don't know how the South Dakota state budget can sustain an $18 million increase,' Dykstra said. 'That could mean things like cuts to the benefits to the people who need it most.' Mitchell Mayor asks city to consider prison Rather than paying 10% of the cost as Dykstra mentioned, Representative Dusty Johnson's office said South Dakota would have to pay 5% of the cost. Feeding South Dakota said the impact would be significant for the state and the people they serve. 'For every SNAP dollar spent in our state, we know that that has $1.80 of economic benefit really from farm to the retailer, and so we know that that's important to our state,' Dykstra said. Feeding South Dakota said it's already feeling the strain. Cuts to CCC funding have cost the organization nearly 150,000 meals. 'That's the loss in food that we're seeing, and that's some of the best food that we get- fresh produce, things like ground beef and dairy products, those are all things that we need to make sure that our families who are hungry are getting nutritious options,' Lori Dykstra said. House Republicans are pushing to vote on the package as soon as tonight. Sioux Falls prepares for $25M loss with property tax reform Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Offering short-term bridge funding for Black Hills Nonprofits
Rapid City, S.D. (KELO) –Nonprofits across South Dakota are facing pressure as federal priorities are moving around. The Black Hills Area Community Foundation and the John T. Vucurevich Foundation have teamed up to help in the Black Hills. 'The strength that George had' The Sustaining Black Hills Nonprofits Fund looks to offer short-term bridge funding for Black Hills nonprofits. 'So whether it's waiting for a grant to come through and not knowing if that's happened, or because funds have been cut. We're able to respond to that and to provide the funding that they need to get to what the next plan looks like and how they can adjust for that.' John T. Vucurevich Foundation President & CEO Jacqui Dietrich said Over the next three months, this fund will provide $90,000 to Feeding South Dakota due to recent USDA food supply cuts. 'Every dollar that is donated provides about three meals, so our buying power is huge. And so we're able to pass that onto our neighbors throughout the state that are facing hunger insecurities.' Feeding South Dakota Development Officer Kristina Simmons said These foundations sent out a survey to over 70 nonprofits, which showed that four out of five are facing uncertainty as to what their funding will look like going into the fall. 'Sustaining the services we have in our community around the work that Feeding South Dakota is doing in our Rapid City community was really critical when we looked at how foundations like ours could come together and bring the community together to really support and ensure that these nonprofits can keep doing the work that they're doing.' Dietrich said 'Either pantry help or food through mobile distributions, those calls are constantly coming in as one in nine adults and one in six children in South Dakota face hunger. The Sustaining Black Hills Nonprofits Fund is going to help families and nonprofits throughout the Black Hills.' Simmons said These foundations are still reaching out to nonprofits in the Black Hills as they continue to look for ways to help out in times of need. Almost 1,800 SFSD graduates walk the stage Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Noem at DSU, fatal weekend crash, nationwide food drive
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – It's an eventful day in KELOLAND, let's check out the latest in news and weather with KELOLAND On The Go. Two people are dead in a weekend crash in southeast Sioux Falls. 2 killed in crash on Veterans Parkway Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will receive an honorary degree from Dakota State University during today's commencement Madison. Law enforcement visible early Saturday in Madison A Sioux Falls man appeared in court Friday, charged in connection with a standoff west of Downtown. Arrest made in Thursday's 12th street standoff A Sioux Falls banker helped save a woman from being scammed out of thousands of dollars. Sioux Falls banker saves woman from Bitcoin scam A very warm Mother's Day weekend is ahead for KELOLAND, with strong south winds likely tomorrow. Hot weather ahead for KELOLAND; Much-needed rain chances returning Wednesday Feeding South Dakota teams up today with the National Association of Letter Carriers for its biggest food drive of the year. How you can help Feeding SD by leaving food outside The new recreation center on the west side of Sioux Falls is proving to be far more popular than expected. Strong start at new west Sioux Falls rec center For the latest in news and weather, use the KELOLAND News app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
