Food pantry
August 3rd, 2009 by 
Alica
The Brandon Food Pantry has outgrown its current site, less than a year after opening. The board of directors wants to move the pantry to a free-standing building, and they want the city to help pay for it.
Should the city help pay for it? Are there other places the food pantry could get the money? The Brandon Food Pantry is affiliated with the state food bank. Could some funding come from there?
How about private donors? Could the food pantry board hold a campaign to raise money from citizens?
If you think the city should chip in, how much do you think is appropriate? $10,000? More? 25 percent? 50 percent? More?
Will you go to the city council meeting tonight to learn more?
Posted in Uncategorized, City business | 
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:24 pm
If the city has extra space somewhere they should let the food pantry use the space. If no extra space is available and the food pantry wants/needs more space, fundraising should be done. Private dollars should be used vs. city dollars.
We have a very generous community and I feel if people are involved in fundraising they will feel “ownership” and become more involved with the endeavor.
Our youth are also very giving. It would help them with community spirit as well.
August 4th, 2009 at 3:53 am
I agree, if they raise taxes anymore in this town a lot more of us will be using the food pantry…..
August 4th, 2009 at 7:58 am
I thought I hear the food pantry is getting their own non profit status….If they have the $ to be on their own…don’t they have the $ to support themselves?
Have they given the council access to their books? They are open to the poblic
August 5th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Just read the article about the purchasing of the building on Main. This would be a perfect use for a building that has had tenants off and on for years.
I hate to see buildings standing empty. Great job!!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Which building is that? Is it the building that used to be a veterinarian?
August 5th, 2009 at 9:31 am
yep, it’s the old vet building.
what a great use of the space!
cudos to the brandon food pantry on their new place, and for doing such great works! i know those people work hard down there!
August 7th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
i saw that there was a piece on kelolandhttp://www.keloland.com/videoarchive/index.cfm?VideoFile=080709foodpantry
August 7th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
To #7: Thank you for posting that link.
August 12th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
To #3. That’s quite the sour grapes attitude you have. You do realize the city gives both the Chamber and the fire department assistance with their buildings? And if I’m not mistaken ALSO financial assistance.
And I’m sure our city officials are smart enough to ask for the books if they wish.
Typically people donate FOOD to a food pantry not so many dollars. Pretty hard these days to trade food for rent.
Why the chip on the shoulder?
August 13th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
ok.. great job food pantry and all their volunteers. I can’t help but wonder WHO in Brandon is in so great need of thier service? I see hundreds of above level homes in Brandon, non of which seem poverty-stricken. Yet, on the other hand… I also know of people who are living well beyond their means in homes they have no right in living in. Yes, I understand that some need a “lift up” for a brief period of time, but I also know of people who put their children’s names on the angel tree at Christmas, and those who sign up for free school supplies who live in $180,000 homes with three stall garages, big screen tv’s, yard service and driving new cars who are on food stamps and collecting disability checks each month who are frequenting the food pantry. I know this for a fact !!! (those who own their own daycare buisness can write their entire income off and make it look like they make ZERO, and then quilfy for food stamps, disability, heating assistance, medicaid, etc. Don’t kid yourself, it happens right here in Brandon !!!
August 14th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
#10: In every station of life, there are people that will try to take advantage of any situation.
I would say that for every one person that you imagine is misusing the pantry, there are 20 people that are in dire need of it’s services, and use it for the right reasons.
Do you think that the people that are in need should be punished for the supposed bad apple’s actions?
That makes no sense.
I read in the article that 316 individuals, 155 children, have been helped through the pantry.
I am sick to my stomach that ANY child has to go hungry!
I too thought that Brandon was too “affluent”. That those kind of problems didn’t affect us, but after reading that article, I now know much differently. I have a feeling that the numbers will continue to grow.
For me, I will continue to gladly donate food to the pantry, and be glad that such a facility is here in Brandon.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
It’s true, Brandon has a higher average income than many of the towns in South Dakota. Only 15 percent of the school enrollment qualifies for reduced or free lunches, superintendent Dave Pappone told me last school year, as opposed to maybe 40 percent at, say, Huron, he said.
But Brandon is a large town. With more than 3,000 students in the district, 15 percent equals 450 kids. So although our percentage of needy families is low, the actual number is still significant.
August 16th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I was wondering if Alica could find out what caused the riff between the two founders of the food Bank. I have heard rummers but would like to know the situation before I donate any more money
August 23rd, 2009 at 8:48 am
Just asking (and just a thought),
First of all I’m assuming you mean RIFT not riff as they are totally different things. Unless they were jammin on guitars together!
Secondly who said there was a rift? (other than you) And who cares if there was, it seems the pantry is thriving.
And I’m also assuming you mean RUMORS? Stir the pot even it’s empty if it makes the chip on your shoulder shrink.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Just FYI, there are many people such as myself who have had to utilize the food pantry lately - not of any fault of my own. I am a single mother, work full time, college degree, and MAKE TOO MUCH $ to get any type of state assistance. My son has medical issues that cost me a lot out of pocket, my job has cut overtime hours, and daycare went up this year. I don’t know how I could work harder, cut back more etc. to not need this service at this time. I am very greatful for the assistance. Many others in the community are hurting also.