At Great Plains Food Bank, we believe everyone deserves access to the food they need to thrive.
Every dollar donated, volunteer hour given, and act of generosity helps nourish neighbors, strengthen communities, and move us closer to a future where no one is left behind. Each year, we serve more than 160,000 individuals across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota.
The stories below highlight the experiences of neighbors facing hunger, as well as the volunteers, partners, and supporters whose compassion makes this work possible. Together, they show the impact we can have when we come together to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food.
Stories of Hope
Meet Chelsea
Chelsea grew up in Casselton, North Dakota, but her path after high school looked very different from many of her peers. When her father became seriously ill with cancer, she
Meet Alfredo
At Heaven’s Helpers Soup Cafe in Bismarck, North Dakota, Alfredo and his wife Lisa find more than just a warm meal. They find a place where they can pause, recharge,
Meet Shane
When you think of food support programs, it’s easy to assume they’re only for those experiencing extreme hardship. But for families like Shane’s, these resources are just as meaningful by
Meet Dr. Gee
Grace, lovingly known as Dr. Gee, is someone whose warmth instantly fills a room. With a heart for helping others and a passion for creating positive change, she has been
Meet Shane & Megan
Shane and Megan recently found themselves navigating unexpected challenges, including periods of unemployment and the rising costs of daily life. With three children—ages 14, 10, and 6—living at home, the
Meet Matthew
When Matthew visited the Richland Wilkin Food Pantry in Wahpeton, his reason was simple and honest: “Really need it, food.” Like many neighbors across our region, Matthew works hard, cares
Meet Francis
For Francis, the local food pantry has become more than a place to pick up groceries; it has become a source of support, connection, and hope for her family. With
A Story of Resilience, Family, and Hope
Life hasn’t been easy for this resilient mother of seven, but she continues to move forward with hope and determination. After experiencing three heart attacks, she spent nearly six years
Meet Joanne
When Joanne and her husband packed up their life in Texas and returned to North Dakota after nearly five decades away, she never imagined how much change the next few years would
Meet Desi
Desi is a dedicated father of three (ages 11, 10, and 6) who has faced a year full of challenges but continues to push forward for his family. Once a welder, he
Acts of Kindness That Strengthen Our Community
For this longtime Valley City resident, giving back isn’t just an act of kindness — it’s a way of life. She has lived in the Valley City area for 37 years and regularly picks
“IT FEELS GOOD TO GIVE BACK”
Volunteers from House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Bismarck have become a familiar and beloved presence at the Great Plains Food Bank. In 2022, the church set out to create
THE FOOD PANTRY IS SO HELPFUL FOR ME AND MY GIRLS
As a single father of two daughters, Kyle is committed to ensuring his girls have everything they need to succeed in life, including providing nutritious food for them. Working full
WITH HELP COMES HOPE: BROOK’S STORY
Brook’s journey has been anything but easy. As a mother of two balancing chronic health challenges of her own and the needs of her oldest son, Oliver, she has experienced
Meet Melanie
Melanie, a treatment coordinator at Beth’s Place, knows that recovery is about more than just treatment. Beth’s Place provides outpatient substance use and mental health resources, helping clients not only
Meet Sam
For Sam, a father of nine, moving to North Dakota was about more than just a change of scenery; it was about giving his family the support and stability they
Meet Bjorn, Owner of Hugh’s Gardens LLC
For Bjorn, growing up on a farm meant learning the value of hard work and the joy of harvesting fresh food straight from the garden. Surrounded by fields and produce,
A Sweet Gesture with a Big Impact
What started as a way to beat boredom on a quiet afternoon quickly became an inspiring act of kindness that touched hearts across their neighborhood. Emma (13), Rory (9), and
Meet Brenda
Brenda and her mother made the courageous decision to leave Liberia in 2004, hopeful for a brighter future in America. They first settled in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, where Brenda
Meet Kevin Hanson, President & CEO of Gate City Bank
At Gate City Bank, community isn’t just a priority, it’s a part of their mission. As a mutual bank, giving back is woven into everything they do. President and CEO
Finding Strength Together in Devils Lake
At the end of each month, when bills are due and paychecks have stretched as far as they can go, one family in Devils Lake, North Dakota, turns to a
Meet Susan
Susan lives alone, but she never faces hunger alone. Each month, she visits her local food pantry, where she always finds something she can use or something she can pass
Meet the Mighty Oaks Homeschool Group
For more than 15 years, the Mighty Oaks Homeschool Group has been a steady and spirited presence at the Great Plains Food Bank. What began as a way for Nikki
Meet Erik
“If it wasn’t for the food pantry, we would be starving, me and my wife.” -Erik For Erik and his wife, the food pantry was more than just a place
This is a joyful experience
Blair and Jodi have been running food pantries since the ’90s. Today, they run Seeds of Hope, a food pantry in Dilworth, Minnesota, supplied by the Great Plains Food Bank.
When Families Need You, You Are There
Josy just had a baby! As exciting as that is, it also means that she has had to take unpaid time off from her full-time job. Not only that, but
This is Amazing
Terri calls herself a “farm girl.” Being a farm girl means it is important to her that her grandkids get plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat. But with prices
Yesenia’s Blessing
Meet Yesenia, a remarkable single mom of eight children. She works hard for her family as an egg harvester, but she dreams of someday becoming a CDL driver, which has
Meet David and Judith
Judith and David spent their working years building a life they loved with Judith in property management and David on the road as a truck driver. But when it came
Meet Nancy and Yodell
At 72 and 68, Nancy and Yodell each maintain part-time jobs trying to make ends meet. Still unable to cover their basic needs, the couple visits the Park River Area
Meet Edith
Edith, a retired hospitality worker and a long-time resident of Devils Lake, relies on the Hope Center Food Pantry, a food pantry supplied by the Great Plains Food Bank, to
A Story of Determination
Candace has worked in retail for years and loves her job at the local grocery store. She always enjoys greeting customers and welcoming people as they come in to shop.
Kitchen Coalition
Launched in 2023, the Great Plains Food Bank Kitchen Coalition program provided nearly 14,000 meals in its first yearDanielle Gerving from Gladys Ray Shelter and Amber Orvik from Brew Kitchen
A friendship forged through volunteerism at the Great Plains Food Bank
Kayla, Terri and Brenda met while sorting bulk food items in the Great Plains Food Bank’s regional service center in Bismarck in February 2021. The facility had just opened and