BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie Public Radio) – The Great Plains Food Bank is doing whatever it takes to meet the needs of hungry people throughout the state this year.

CEO Melissa Sobolik says just prior to the pandemic, about one in nine people relied on emergency food assistance in North Dakota. After COVID began, that increased to one in six. To make matters worse, food donations plummeted. But Sobolik says the Food Bank remains committed to meet the needs of hungry people.

Sobolik says unfortunately this does mean that while more people are being served, they are getting fewer donations than in the past. She says supply chain issues have also made it extremely difficult to get things together for Thanksgiving meals.

Looking forward, Sobolik says the Food Bank is launching a new strategic plan to end hunger in the region.

She says the plan will address many root cause issues to prevent people from ever needing the Food Bank’s services in the first place.