SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — An organization working to eliminate school lunch debt in the Sioux Falls School District is set to host a special fundraiser and giveaway on Saturday.
The Barrel House in Sioux Falls is celebrating the return of school with a community event to benefit Hungry Hearts.
“The bigger the turnout, the more money raised, the more money we can give back” The Barrel House owner Mark Fonder said.
Mark Fonder owns The Barrel House. He’s also the president of Hungry Hearts, an organization helping make sure students in Sioux Falls don’t go without food.
“With the rising costs of everything else, it’s going to be harder and harder for all these kids to make sure they get fed at home, and the least we can do is try and provide them with a lunch at school,” Fonder said.
“We try to make sure that everybody has a chance at getting a hot meal, we make sure that everybody has what they need for school as far as school supplies,” Hungry Hearts vice president Jesse Severson said.
Jesse Severson is vice president of Hungry Hearts.
“If we don’t do it, somebody else is going to have to do it, so let’s do it together,” Severson said.
The day will start with a backpack and supplies giveaway, with 300 kids receiving the backpack of their choice beginning at 10:00 a.m.
“They can come out and get a backpack and then still have a fun-filled day,” Fonder said.
The back-to-school celebration will also include inflatables, BBQ competition, and free will meal. Fonder says there’s a $20,000 match on the table.
“$20,000 does go a long way so I mean for someone to step up and match that amount is very respectable,” Fonder said.
But no one can do it alone.
“Hopefully, a big turnout and we can raise a lot of money for the kids in Sioux Falls,” Fonder said.
“If the community doesn’t show up, we can’t do what we do so I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of old faces and a lot of new faces,” Severson said.
The back-to-school event is Saturday at The Barrel House in Sioux Falls. The backpack and supplies giveaway begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by activities for kids at 11:00. The meal will be served from noon until 5:00.
