The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE

Food insecurity is a pressing issue for the Cheyenne River Reservation in north-central South Dakota, especially as inflation increases food costs. A recent delivery of two semi-trucks full of food from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints means hundreds of families have a boost during the holidays.

The food arrived at the Cheyenne River Youth Project — an Eagle Butte-based, Native-led nonprofit organization that provides youth programs and family services on the reservation. Missionaries from the North Dakota Bismarck Mission helped unload the pallets and organize the food, creating more than 350 food boxes. The boxes were then available for pickup on November 22 and 23.

The food items included flour, sugar, oil, canned vegetables, pasta and meats such as roasts, turkey breasts and ham slices. The boxes included some holiday items but also many of food staples to last the families at least a week.

Cheyenne River Youth Project Executive Director Julie Garreau said the food was high quality and delicious.

“I got a card back from someone the next day saying, ‘Thank you for making my holiday.’” Garreau said. “People were so grateful. It gave them a boost during the holiday season.”

To read the full article, CLICK HERE