A community initiative celebrates a decade of fighting child hunger – The Dickinson Press

DICKINSON – Celebrating a decade of community service, the Dickinson BackPack program has provided over 100,000 food packages to students in need.

“I'm proud of this program and all the volunteers and donors who make it possible,” said Kristin Seaks, the program's longtime volunteer director. “It's amazing what we've been able to accomplish in the last decade because people in our community are truly committed and willing to make a difference.”

Seaks emphasized the commitment of volunteers and donors, many of whom have supported the program since its inception. “We have no paid staff and operate on a tight budget. Almost 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to purchasing food for the program,” she added.

The Dickinson BackPack program was started by St. John Lutheran Church in January 2014. Seaks and other parishioners recognized the need for a meal program to help local children, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Through the program, each participating child receives a free bag of healthy, easy-to-prepare meals and snacks.

Each food package contains items such as macaroni and cheese, soup, ravioli, cereal, shelf-stable milk, juice, granola bars, fruit cups and pudding. The main food packages are purchased from the Great Plains Food Bank at a cost of $5 per package and are stocked for local delivery.

Every Wednesday or the day before school holidays, volunteers deliver the food packages to local schools, where they are discreetly placed in children's backpacks, so students don't have to worry about food over the weekend.

Last school year, the program distributed approximately 400 food packages each week, for a total of 14,127 packages per year. This year, over 400 children have signed up to receive weekly food packages.

The program has an annual budget of $100,000, which covers the cost of providing weekly food packages during the school year and summer. Participation requires parental consent, but there is no cost to families.

Currently, the program distributes food packages to children in Head Start, six public elementary schools, the middle school, and the high school. The program is funded through grants and donations from civic organizations, businesses, churches, and individuals. The Dickinson BackPack program is run entirely by volunteers. Approximately 200 volunteers serve on the board, participate in packing events, and deliver the food packages to schools.

Since its launch, the program has seen a significant increase in volunteer participation. Starting with a small group, the number of volunteers has now grown to around 200.

This increased support has been critical to the expansion of the program, as more children now receive the food assistance they need. The dedication of these volunteers has had a significant impact on the community.

The Dickinson BackPack program has grown significantly. The average annual growth rate in food pack distribution from 2014 to 2024 was approximately 14.2%. The number of food packs distributed weekly has increased from 107 in 2014 to 400 currently.

According to Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, Stark County has experienced a significant increase in food insecurity from 2019 to 2022. Statistics show significant changes in child food insecurity, eligibility for federal food assistance, food costs, and the estimated number of hungry children in Stark County, North Dakota, during this period. Specific data for 2023 is not yet available.

Food insecurity rate among children:

• 2019: 6.6%
• 2022: 11.1%
• Percent change: 68.2% increase

The following are not entitled to state food assistance:

• 2019: 37%
• 2022: 46%
• Percent change: 24.3% increase

Average cost of a meal:

• 2019: $3.48
• 2022: $4.13
• Percent change: 18.7% increase

Estimated number of starving children:

• 2019: 530
• 2022: 1,000
• Percent change: 88.7% increase

These statistics underscore the continued need for programs like the Dickinson BackPack Program to support children experiencing food insecurity. Volunteer efforts and ongoing community support are critical to addressing these challenges and providing vital food assistance to children in need.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact Kristin Seaks at 701-590-0134.

LeAnn M. Stasiowski is the Community Pulse reporter for The Dickinson Press, covering education, business and cultural events. She profiles local businesses and entrepreneurs, reports on economic trends and developments in education, and highlights arts, entertainment and dining in the area. From attending school board meetings to reviewing local festivals and restaurants, LeAnn delivers comprehensive reporting that celebrates and informs the community.