Fans Get A Chance To Give

by Breanna Fuss, Reporter
March 10, 2013 9:27 PM


For some people going to events such as the Summit League Tournament, getting a hot dog, popcorn, or even a soda isn't something they can afford. So once again the Summit League and Feeding South Dakota have partnered up to offer fans a chance to give to those in need, as they watch their favorite teams battle it out on the court.

For the fourth year the tournament and Feeding South Dakota have come together to help the organization keep its food pantry's stocked. On Saturday, fans donated $300 in monetary donations. But that just makes a small dent in what the organization has for a total goal.  

As fans from all over South Dakota gather to cheer on their favorite teams, they also have a chance to give back to those who need it most.  

“This is a tournament, but I think we can call come together and get behind an organization that's working to end hunger,” said Allison Struck, Feeding South Dakota.
     
For the past three years Struck has been manning the table where donations are taken for Feeding South Dakota during the Summit League Tournament. And for this year’s tournament, she said donations are up.
        
“We have a lot of people who are coming from across the state who either just like basketball, or who are alums of South Dakota State University or University of South Dakota,” Struck said.

Struck said with two state teams in the tournament, more South Dakotans are donating because they are aware of the program.

“If we continue that trend, that would be a really good thing for Feeding South Dakota and the families that we serve,” Struck said.

And with $300 made on Saturday alone, the organization is well on its way to making its goal.

“As far as monetary donations, if we could hit the $1,000 mark, that would be awesome,” said Struck.
     
The program also hopes to receive 200 to 300 pounds of non-perishable food items.

“We can always use cereal. Peanut butter and jelly, canned fruits, and then any of the box dinners,” explained Struck.

Director of Marketing for the Summit League Tournament Vanessa Quimpo said being able to help the organization is the league’s way of helping one less person go hungry.

 “It was our way to step up our game and as a league office we should also give back to Feeding South Dakota and the hunger relief mission as well,” said Quimpo.

And with organization’s food pantry in Sioux Falls, feeding 300 families each week alone, every donation counts.

“If you bring in a few boxes of macaroni and cheese, that will probably be cheaper than the nachos you're going to buy here,” said Struck.

The Summit League had a prize wheel fans could spin when they donated money to Feeding South Dakota, but because so many people donated on Saturday, they already ran out of prizes.

For more information on how you can help you can go to Feeding South Dakota’s website .