The Breadbasket Food Pantry located on mainstream in Flandreau, South Dakota.

"I am a believer in prayer. When there is a need, I take it to the Lord. The Breadbasket fills a need. When supplies run low, I take it to the Lord, and it comes through the door. I see people that are in need that we serve. I say a prayer and hug them." These are the words of Judy Jones, founder, former manager, and volunteer of the Breadbasket Food Pantry in Flandreau, North Dakota. 

Out of compassion and knowing a need, Judy Jones, a member of the Flandreau United Methodist Church, founded the Breadbasket Food Pantry in Flandreau, South Dakota, more than 25 years ago.

Jones, a former nurse practitioner, saw people facing daily food insecurity. So when she retired, she asked for space and support from a pastor to start a food pantry. 

"The Lord wanted me to step up. I knew what it was like to be without food. I was a young, single parent in the '60s.," said Jones. "When the Breadbasket started, I was the manager for 20 years. I still volunteer today."

Since the Breadbasket's founding, the need for services has grown, and thanks to individuals and organizations, both religious and civic, those needs are being met entirely from private donations. Every month a list of items needed at the Breadbasket is shared.

The shelves are stocked with donations at the Breadbasket Food Pantry.

The ministry grew to a non-profit organization with a building and a five-member board. Churches are vital to the ministry for donations and volunteers. 

"The folks at Flandreau UMC love to provide groceries for the breadbasket," Pastor Janice Thompson, Flandreau UMC, says, "They volunteer many hours to do God's work through the Breadbasket and feeding people from all around the county.

Flandreau is a small community on the Big Sioux River, near the border of Minnesota and home to the Flandreau Indian Reservation. 

The food pantry has moved three times since the beginning in 1996. They started in a church, moved to a downtown location, and now own a building on the main street.

"We all volunteered in the beginning. Today we have a manager and assistant manager that are paid, and we own the building," said Jones.

The Breadbasket serves about 70 local families each month. In 2021, the community-supported, non-profit 50(c)3 food pantry served 713 families and 2,429 individuals, with 1,205 children. 

Clients of the Breadbasket receive a cart full of food once a month. The food offered to clients changes monthly, including meat, kitchen staples like peanut butter, eggs, milk, and canned goods.

"Our doors are open throughout the week to accept donations. We offer a shopping cart full of food once a week. Families can get their cart load once a month, "Jones said. 

Flandreau UMC seeks to help the Breadbasket purchase and distribute food items. In December, the congregation prepares Christmas bags for families who may not be able to afford special items.

"We are collecting pasta right now for the "Oodles of Noodles' campaign.," said Pastor Janet. "The ministerial association heard there was a need for pasta, so the campaign to collect pasta at each local churches is happening."

The congregation received a Hunger Grant in 2021. Hunger grants are funded in part by your generous Thanksgiving Offering gifts. Grants to local communities and ministries like the Breadbasket assist in feeding so many of their neighbors in this corner of the Dakotas Conference.

You can make a difference in the lives of many across the Dakotas by donating to Bishop Kiesey's 2022 Thanksgiving Offering. Your gifts will go to local hunger ministries such as the Breadbasket in Flandreau.

"Let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

The Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church is again accepting applications for hunger grants. Food insecurity continues to be a problem within North and South Dakota and has become even more challenging following COVID-19 complications and inflationary pressure. Funds for these grants are being collected as a part of the 2022 Bishop's Thanksgiving Offering – please consider contributing to this offering.

The application deadline is November 30, 2022. Grant awards will be announced by December 16, 2022. Grants will be capped at $1,000 per applicant. Applications must come from a UMC church or organization but can be partnered with local community programs. Applications are available here. Contact Al Roll, Missional Impact Development Coach, with questions.