RAPID CITY, S.D.— Volunteers with the Salvation Army were hard at work Saturday preparing for Christmas meals.
The Salvation Army of the Black Hills teamed up with staff from Pioneer Bank and Trust to fill 2,000 food boxes at the former Herberger’s location in the Uptown Rapid Mall. Pioneer Bank and Trust has been involved with the food box program for all 16 years it has been running, and they always make the packing event a family endeavor.
“We’ve got employees, we’ve got family members, spouses, kids, grandkids,” said Steve Conzet, Rapid City West Branch Manager, “You know, there’s probably about 75 people from the bank proper as far as families and employees included.”
The boxes include canned essentials and will eventually be packed with a Christmas ham. The food boxes will be paired with toys for children ages 14 and under, providing a complete holiday experience for those in need. Organizers noted that many of the benefiting families reside on the Pine Ridge Reservation as well as in the immediate Rapid City area.
The supplies will be distributed at the annual Angel Tree Toy Shoppe scheduled for Dec. 16 through Dec. 18. Families had to apply in advance to receive a box. While registration is closed for this year, the Salvation Army is already offering advice for next season.
“We tell people just about Halloween, start looking for it to open up,” said Maj. Dan Voss, Area Coordinator for the Salvation Army of the Black Hills, “And we keep it open for about a month.”
The annual event marks a significant preparation effort to ensure thousands of families across the Black Hills have a traditional dinner on their tables this Christmas. The Angel Tree Toy Shoppe will be in the same location, at the back of Uptown Rapid, the same location where Spirit Halloween sets up each year.
Per grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from South Dakota Mines. He found his passion for weather reporting by the impact it has on the community, both in how people work and how it brings people together through severe weather preparation. He also has a passion for preventing health issues with Air Quality Index awareness. Per can be found enjoying outdoor activities in the Black Hills when the weather allows.
Dining and Cooking