Black Hills Community Foundation grants fight hunger

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The Black Hills Area Community Foundation is awarding over $17,000 in grants to three western South Dakota school districts that provide free summertime meals to children — and often to their parents and grandparents too.

While the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program reimburses schools and other youth programs for meals served to kids under 18, it doesn't fund meals for accompanying adults, many of whom are also food insecure.

So the Black Hills Area Community Foundation has been working with local organizations to help alleviate hunger among family members as well, the Rapid City Journal reported Monday.

The grants include $7,500 to Rapid City Area Schools, $5,000 to the Meade School District and $5,000 to the Custer School District. United Way of the Black Hills is matching the funds for the Custer School District for a total impact of $10,000.

In addition, Meals on Wheels Western South Dakota is partnering with all three districts to reimburse them for meals served to adults 60 and over who are present when kids receive their food.