The Great Plains Food Bank embraces diversity as a guiding principle in our mission to end hunger.
We champion understanding, acceptance and respect for individual differences including race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, physical or mental ability, religious belief, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, political viewpoints and other ideologies, or discharge status from the military or status as a protected veteran.
In doing so, we reflect the diversity of our clients and stakeholders, attract and retain talented staff and volunteers and nurture the creative partnerships, and innovation necessary to achieve our vision of hunger-free communities.
equity, diversity, inclusion resources
If we are to truly embrace equity, diversity and inclusion as a part of our core values, we must learn about ourselves and from one another to achieve a world where we can all participate equally. Below are resources surrounding our work and lifting up special holidays and celebrations.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH (February)
Black History Month is an annual celebration of African Americans and their achievements. It is also about recognizing and being aware of the hardships they have faced throughout the history of the United States.
ORIGINS OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH
(Association for the Study of African American Life and History)
PROFILE OF CARTER G. WOODSON (Founder of Black History Month)
(NAACP)
HUNGER HITS BLACK COMMUNITIES HARDER
(Feeding America)
MEET A FEW OF THE BLACK LEADERS WHO ARE FIGHTING FIGHTIN IN THEIR COMMUNITIES
(Feeding America)
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE
(Virtually view the exhibits)
women's history month (march)
March is Women’s History Month and a time to recognize the impact women have as well as celebrate their achievements and the role women have played in American history.
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
(Library of Congress)
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY, MARCH: WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH AND NOTABLE FEMALE FIRSTS
(Britannica)
WOMEN’S HISTORY MILESTONES: A TIMELINE
(History Channel)
A PROCLAMATION ON WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
(White House)
Asian American and Pacific American heritage month (may)
“May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).”
—From asianpacificheritagemonth.gov from the Library of Congress
WE ARE AMERICAN AND WE STAND TOGETHER: ASIAN AMERICAN RESILIENCE & BELONGING
(Video: Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center)
UNDERSTANDING ASIAN AMIERCAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
(Texas A&M University)
jewish american heritage month (may)
May is Jewish American Heritage Month and has been celebrated since it was first recognized in 2006. It celebrates the 350-year history of contributions and achievements of the American Jewish community.
JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
(National Archives)
ABOUT JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
(Library of Congress)
WHY THE JEWS: HISTORY OF ANTISEMITISM
(United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHALLAH
(Modernist Bread)
Mental Health Action Day (MAY 20)
Mental Health Action Day is a day not only to be aware of mental health but to take action and aid in the fight to end stigma surrounding mental health topics. It is a day to check in on those around you.
CDC’s List of Mental Health Resources
(Centers for Disease Control)
Three Steps Toward Healing
(Education Development Center)
Memorial Day (may 20)
For our freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom to worship, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition, freedom of the press and so many more. On Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives, so we could live free.
Observing Memorial Day
(PBS)
LGBTQ+ Pride Month (June)
LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated every June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising that marked the begging of the movement to end discriminatory laws against LGBTQ+ Americans. Although there is still a way to go in this fight against discrimination, we take this month to celebrate the great strides that have been made and those who have fought for them to happen.
About Pride Month
(Library Of Congress)
Timeline of Pride Month
(National Today)
Pride Flag Meanings
(Volvo Group)
World Refugee Day (June 20th)
World Refugee Day is celebrated June 20 and acknowledges the strength and courage of refugees around the world who have been forced to flee their homes and countries to escape conflict or persecution.
More Information from the UN Refugee Agency
(The UN Refugee Agency)
Hispanic Heritage Month (SEPT. 15 - OCT. 15)
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 until October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
(Library of Congress)
Virtual Tour of the Mexican Museum
(Google Arts & Culture)
Influential People and Moments in Latino History in the US
(Google Arts & Culture)
National Disability Empowerment Awareness Month (October)
National Disability Empowerment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is held each October to commemorate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy.
Food Insecurity in those with Disabilities
(Feeding America)
The “I Can” Movement
(What Can You Do? The Campaign for Disability Employment)
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (October)
Tens of thousands of families across the United States are devastated each year by the death of their baby. The grief that these families face is rarely acknowledged and in 1988 President Ronald Regan declared October as a time to recognize these family’s grief and bereavement. Promoting awareness helps others gain understanding and encourage them to show their support to others who have experienced infant and pregnancy loss.
Why Raise Awareness?
(Star Legacy Foundation)
Pregnancy Loss Support Options
(Very Well Family)
Indigenous Peoples' Day (October 11)
Indigenous Peoples Day is a celebration that honors Native Americans and celebrate their culture and history.
Indigenous Peoples Day as explained by Native Americans
(NPR)
Unlearning Myths About Columbus Day
(Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)
A Proclamation on Indigenous People’s Day
(White House)
Native American Heritage Month (November)
November has been recognized as Native American Heritage Month it is a time to celebrate and recognize all the contributions American Indians and Alaska Natives have made and to acknowledge the experiences they have gone through and the issues they still currently face.
Brief History
(U.S. Department of Interior Indian Affairs)
Food Insecurity In Native Communities
(Feeding America)
Veterans Day (November 11)
Veterans Day is a time to reflect on this country’s history and to honor those who have been a part of it by serving in its military. A day to thank those brave people who have served and continue to serve this country in hopes to make it a better place for all of us. We understand not all veterans have it easy to take this chance to reach out and offer help when you can.
History of Veterans Day
(U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs)
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week (Nov. 13-21)
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is observed every year the week before Thanksgiving. During this time, we should be thinking about the things we are thankful for, it is also a great time to share our compassion with our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness, and hunger by raising awareness and giving back to those in need.
Facts on Hunger and Homelessness
(Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week)
Homeless People Deserve Food Too
(National Coalition for the Homeless)
What Causes Homelessness?
(Coalition for the Homeless)