South Dakota

Feeding South Dakota distribution on display in Redfield

Published

2 months ago

May 3, 2024

Feeding South Dakota distribution on display in Redfield

REDFIELD, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The non-profit Feeding South Dakota is a massive social service organization that serves each of the state’s 66 counties once a month.

Weather permitting, every South Dakota county gets a visit. The story, by the numbers, was provided by Stacey Andernacht of the Feeding South Dakota organization.

Stacey said, “In South Dakota, nearly 73,000 people are food insecure, and that means that they are unable to have access to the food that they need to have a nutritious lifestyle. Our mobile food distribution is hosted right now in 119 communities across the state, every single month.”

Funding is a big issue with these social service programs.

Stacey continued, “Feeding South Dakota is funded through private donations, along with some grant and foundation opportunities that we apply for. Other than the food items that we receive through the USDA commodity programs, we don’t receive any funding from the state.”

Thursday was the distribution event for Redfield in Spink County. Penny Ihnen is the Co-director of the Tri-County Food Pantry, and she talked about the impact of the program.

Penny related, “We’ve had people say that they couldn’t make it from month to month if it wasn’t for this mobile food truck that comes. It’s a blessing to them.”

Both Ihnen and Andernacht say that the Feeding South Dakota program wouldn’t exist without the incredible volunteers. Leonard Deibert, one of those volunteers, explained how he got started.

Leonard said, “The wife and I were walking down by the Armory one time when the Feeding South Dakota truck come there and they were helping the people and we walked over and asked them, ‘What’s going on?’ And they explained the program to us and we asked, ‘Well, do you need any help?’ and he said, ‘Sure, we can use help,’ and we’ve been going back and helping them probably three or four years now. We enjoy it, it’s a good program, and the people enjoy it.”

Occasionally, the weather gets in the way of this distribution but, for the most part, every county in South Dakota has one of the 119 stops on the Feeding South Dakota route.

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South Dakota

I29 REOPENS IN SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA – KSCJ 1360

Published

2 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

I29 REOPENS IN SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA – KSCJ 1360

INTERSTATE 29 HAS REOPENED IN SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA. STATE OFFICIALS REOPENED THE NORTH AND SOUTHBOUND LANES OF I29 TUESDAY AT 3 PM. FROM EXIT 2 TO EXIT 26.
THE LANES WERE CLOSED THIS WEEK DUE TO FLOODING ALONG THE BIG SIOUX RIVER.
LOCAL ROADS AND OTHER STATE HIGHWAYS CONTINUE TO BE IMPACTED BY HIGH WATER, CLEAN UP EFFORTS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
THE MCCOOK LAKE EXIT MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL CLOSURES FOR RESPONSE OPERATIONS.

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South Dakota

Governor Noem gives update on flooding in SE South Dakota

Published

9 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Governor Noem gives update on flooding in SE South Dakota

YANKTON, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – On Tuesday afternoon, Governor Kristi Noem held a press conference in Yankton to give the latest update on flooding in Southeastern South Dakota.

During that press conference, Noem said that late last week state officials were informed of different cresting times for rivers. Luckily the James, Vermillion, and Big Sioux Rivers crested earlier than anticipated and at different times from one another. The James River was the final river of the three to crest, reaching its peak early Tuesday morning.

As the rivers have started to recede, cleanup is underway. Noem said the state is currently working with 30 counties in assessing to total damage done and submitting their reports to FEMA.

“We have to have a loss in order to qualify for FEMA of $1.6 million worth of property damage in order to qualify,” Noem explained. It’ll take up to 30 days until the state has notice of the funds they received.

However, when it comes to those damages, the governor has her eyes set on McCook Lake as her highest priority. She described how they underestimated the damage it would undergo. She said that they are currently working on a time for residents to obtain their belongings from within their homes and encourages individuals to stay away from the damage.

Noem did make it a point to thank law enforcement and emergency personnel who have traveled from all over that state to Southeast South Dakota to help with the flood waters. She also wants to remind individuals that are traveling on flooded roads or ones with barricades to turn around. For the latest on road conditions, click here.

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South Dakota

South Dakota’s WIC Program implements new income guidelines July 1

Published

17 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

South Dakota’s WIC Program implements new income guidelines July 1

The South Dakota Department of Health has released new income guidelines for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program effective July 1, 2024.

WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provided at no cost to eligible moms, infants, and children. It aims to empower families through support with healthy eating, nutrition, and breastfeeding, as well as offering referrals to other essential services. WIC strives to help improve the overall health and well-being of families.

“WIC makes a profound difference in the lives of families, offering essential nutrition, heartfelt discussions, and unwavering support,” said Department of Health Secretary, Melissa Magstadt. “The mission is to empower moms, infants, and children with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive and live healthier, happier lives.”

If your family’s annual income does not exceed the following amounts for the size of your family, you could qualify for WIC:

Family Size	185% of Federal Poverty Level	Family Size	185% of Federal Poverty Level
1	$27,861	6	$77,626
2	$37,814	7	$87,579
3	$47,767	8	$97,532
4	$57,720	9	$107,485
5	$67,673	10	$117,438

To find out if you or children in your household are eligible for the WIC Program and to apply online go to https://www.sd.gov/wic. Or you can call for an appointment at your local WIC office. Offices can be found under the county listings in your phone book or on the web at https://www.sd.gov/wic.

WIC is an equal opportunity provider. More information about the program is available at https://www.sd.gov/wic.

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