We know when students get a quality education that they can go on and succeed at whatever it is they put their minds to. Public education is often referred to as "The Great Equalizer", but there are still barriers that can get in the way. Too often, one of those barriers is food. Food insecurity is a stark reality that many families are forced to deal with, but in the Sioux Falls School District, we have amazing community partners who are stepping in to help fill these gaps.
Hungry Hearts announced in November 0f 2025 that they were raising $100,000 to be matched by community members. The matching portion of this donation would go directly toward paying for meals for kids who don't qualify for free and reduced lunches. There are some families who make a little bit too much money to qualify for the free/reduced meal program, but still sometimes struggle with being able to afford the basic necessities. This was recognized as an area of need that required attention, and Hungry Hearts stepped up to fill the in the gaps. Today, Hungry Hearts announced that they met, and even exceeded their $100,000 goal! Thanks to the generosity of our community, the Sioux Falls School District has officially unlocked the Hungry Hearts match, resulting in 85,850 meals for students across our District.
This effort is really about more than just a number. It's a reflection of our community's commitment to making sure our students have access to meals they need to stay focused and ready to learn each day. We are truly so grateful for our friends Jesse Severson and Mark Fonder with Hungry Hearts, and to every donor who helped make this possible. THANK YOU!
