Sioux Falls’ newest food pantry, located at Sanford Children’s Hospital, has quickly become a vital resource for many in need. Despite its unassuming appearance—a small room filled with food, a large freezer, and a refrigerator—the pantry offers a wide variety of items, including fresh fruit, frozen meat, and cereal boxes.

Operating for approximately six months, the food bank within the Children’s Hospital has exceeded the expectations of the two social workers overseeing it. They express genuine astonishment at the number of people who have benefited from this service. Maggie Luschen, a Sanford social worker, shares her observations: “I was surprised at the amount of people who were scoring positive for food insecurity. We had a lot of people who either at the beginning of our food pantry didn’t score positive but later on did or who just kind of had that mentality of I didn’t need help before, but now, with the food prices increasing and pretty much everything increasing, were struggling a bit.”

The food pantry has already assisted nearly 700 patient families who screened positive for food insecurity. Luschen describes the positive reaction from these families, highlighting their gratitude and astonishment at the amount of support provided. While the quantities may not match those of larger food banks, the impact is significant. Luschen adds, “We have a lot of kids who will kind of start peeking through and we got snacks! And they get really excited.”

Upon checking into the children’s castle, young patients and their families are given a questionnaire that helps identify potential food insecurity. Luschen notes that it can sometimes be challenging to convince people to accept the offered food, as they often believe there are others who are worse off. The food is supplied by Feeding South Dakota, a key partner in providing sustenance to those in need.

With a weekly distribution of over 1,200 pounds of food, the food pantry at Sanford Children’s Hospital plays a vital role in addressing food insecurity among patient families. Its presence and impact have been heartening, demonstrating the power of community support in times of need.