When Brian got a job with a thriving company in a small town, the family figured they had hit the jackpot. They made enough so that Kim only had to work part time and could focus her time on raising their five growing daughters. Suddenly, the company started doing massive layoffs, and everyone they knew were losing their jobs. It was tough for them ask for help, but they knew that they had to feed their girls. They visited a local food pantry which was a partner agency of the Great Plains Food Bank. There they received enough food for several weeks, and were able to visit with a SNAP Outreach Coordinator to apply for food assistance. Kim states, "Our entire family is appreciative of the help we've received from the food pantry. We're appreciative of the food, and we're appreciative of the friendly smiles and greetings we receive each time we walk through that door. The food pantry played a huge role in getting my family through a really tough time and I'm thankful it was there when we needed it most."  Click for more information on your local food pantry, and SNAP assistance.

No other state is closer to the goal of ending statewide hunger than North Dakota. The Creating Hunger-Free Communities Summit will be held at the Event Center in Bismarck on September 17 - 18, 2015. Speakers from national organizations including Feeding America and the AARP Foundation; regional organizations including the Minneapolis Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank and School Meals that Rock; and North Dakota's own food and hunger experts, will share ideas and experiences with those who attend. Music and visual displays will also be part of the conference experience. Plan to learn, share and return home with ideas and plans for what you can do to end hunger in your community!  Join Us!