‘Beef it Up, South Dakota’: help get protein to families in need

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – For many South Dakotans, beef is a food item regularly kept stocked at home. But for some families, it’s an expense they have to go without when money is tight.

Inside the Feeding South Dakota warehouse, staff and volunteers work hard every day to package food boxes for families facing hunger. But this month they could use some extra help getting one of their most sought-after food items: beef.

“When you’re going to the grocery store, those expensive proteins are one of the first things our guests put back on the shelf when shopping,” Megan Kjose, the Feeding SD Development Director, said. “So us being able to provide these products through our programs is really important.”

May is National Beef Month and Feeding South Dakota is partnering with the South Dakota Cattleman’s Foundation and the South Dakota Beef Industry Council for the first ever ‘Beef it Up, South Dakota,’ campaign.

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“It’s just really a great opportunity to tie in, you know, what we like to celebrate as Beef Month and the summer grilling season and, you know, all the wonderful things that revolve around beef in our state while also helping our friends and neighbors who might need a little boost now and then,” Jodi Anderson, Executive Director of the SD Beef Industry Council, said.

One way you can help Feeding South Dakota this month is by eating out at local retailers like Tinners and Sanaa’s.

“They are going to donate back in some way, so whether it’s a portion of proceeds or a straight donation, they’re making sure that they are donating to Feeding South Dakota with those proceeds,” Kjose said.

People in Rapid City can help Feeding South Dakota this month by eating out at Firehouse Brewing Company.

And if you want to directly donate your own money, it’ll be matched.

“So your donation can go twice as far thanks to our friends at Parker Freeze Dry,” Kjose said. “Any donation they are going to match so that we can purchase beef for our programs.”

You can also donate beef to Feeding South Dakota, but it has to be processed through certified companies.

Helping those in need get some important protein in their diet.