A LETTER FROM OUR CEO & BOARD CHAIR
Dear hunger-relief partners,
A mother of three young children recently visited a pop-up food pantry in her community. Though she holds a bachelor’s degree, the rising cost of childcare makes working outside the home nearly impossible. As she picked up groceries, she shared something we’re hearing more and more: “people who are ‘well-off’ are still struggling to make ends meet. It’s tough out there.”
In my first months as CEO of the Great Plains Food Bank, I’ve had the privilege of listening to neighbors across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. Stories like hers are not the exception; they are becoming the reality for more families, seniors, and individuals who are doing everything they can, yet still need a little extra help.
This year, 167,163 neighbors turned to the Great Plains Food Bank and our network of partner food pantries, shelters, and meal sites—an 11% increase from the year before. Behind that number are individuals making impossible choices, seniors stretching fixed incomes, and families navigating rising costs with resilience and determination.
Together, we distributed more than 14.8 million pounds of food across our region. We expanded our reach to meet neighbors where they are by growing our wellness pantries to 34 sites, increasing school pantries to 42 locations, and provided 64,500 prepared meals through our Kitchen Coalition program. These efforts are about more than food; they are about dignity, access, and ensuring every neighbor has the opportunity to thrive.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to both meeting today’s need and building a stronger, more responsive hunger-relief system for the future. Through our Harvesting Hope campaign, we are investing in the infrastructure needed to serve our region with greater efficiency and care. At the same time, we are continuing to expand innovative programs, strengthen partnerships, and listen closely to the communities we serve because the best solutions are built together.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am continually inspired by what is possible when a community comes together around a shared purpose. Your generosity, advocacy, and support make this work possible and ensure the Great Plains Food Bank remains a trusted resource for neighbors across our region.
We are proud of what we’ve accomplished together and even more hopeful for what lies ahead. Thank you for standing with us in this work and for believing in our mission.
Together, we can—and will—end hunger.
Sincerely,
ANN PRIFREL
Great Plains Food Bank
CEO
JASPER SCHNEIDER
Great Plains Food Bank Chair, Board of Directors
2025 BY THE NUMBERS
2025 FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT
| PUBLIC SUPPORT & REVENUE | FY25 | FY24 |
|---|---|---|
|
Private Contributions |
$7,079,720 |
$5,244,262 |
|
Government Contracts and Grants
|
$4,121,260 |
$2,240,811 |
|
United Way and Private Grants
|
$1,764,014 |
$1,001,849 |
|
Program Revenue |
$890,541 |
$958,277 |
|
Investments and Other Income |
$434,087 |
$516,363 |
|
USDA Commodity Food Value
|
$6,500,186 |
$7,444,402 |
|
Donated Food Value |
$19,916,540 |
$18,685,364 |
|
TOTAL PUBLIC SUPPORT AND REVENUE |
$40,706,348 |
$36,091,328 |
| EXPENSES | FY25 | FY24 |
|---|---|---|
|
Programs and Services
|
$34,724,828 |
$34,291,742 |
|
Fund Development
|
$1,363,503 |
$1,211,553 |
|
Management and General |
$532,256 |
$521,297 |
|
TOTAL EXPENSES |
$36,620,587 |
$36,024,592 |
| CHANGE IN NET ASSETS | $4,085,761 | $66,736 |
|---|---|---|
|
Net Assets at Beginning of Year
|
$15,755,926 |
$15,689,190 |
|
Net Assets at End of Year |
$19,841,687 |
$15,755,926 |
SOURCES OF FUNDING
50% Private Contributions
29% Government Contracts & Grants
12% United Way & Private Grants
6% Program Revenue
3% Investments & Other Income
EXPENSES*
95% Programs & Services
3.5% Fund Development
1.5% Administrative & General
*Includes the value of donated food distributed of $28,617,042.
Great Plains Food Bank’s auditors have expressed an unmodified opinion on our financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Those financial statements, which are available on the Great Plains Food Bank’s website, include associated notes that are essential to understanding the information presented here.
THANK YOU
Every investment you make to support our mission is an investment in your neighbor. We are committed to thoughtfully stewarding your donations to provide hunger-relief and build food secure communities across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota.