SIOUX FALLS – During the football season, SDSU Coach John Stiegelmeier and USD Coach Bob Nielson go head to head as they fight their way to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference. 

But during the month of July, Stiegelmeier and his wife, Laurie, and Nielson and his wife, Terri, are forming a new team to tackle another rival: child hunger in South Dakota.

Beginning today and continuing throughout the month of July, the couples will match every donation made to Feeding South Dakota’s Child Hunger Programs, dollar for dollar up to $13,500.

New this year, those that donate $500 or more will be entered into a raffle to win the “Ultimate Fan Experience” to the school of choice which includes six football tickets, loge box access (SDSU) or Dakota Dome Club access (USD), food and beverages. Two winners will be drawn, one for each school of choice. All other donors will be entered in to win a dinner with either the Stiegelmeiers or the Nielsons.

Children at risk of hunger are provided free or reduced meals through the National School Lunch Program. While this program effectively combats hunger during the school day, it does not address the needs of children when school is not in session. This is where Feeding South Dakota’s Child Hunger Programs step in.

One such program is the BackPack Program, designed to fill this gap by providing at-risk children with nutritious, easy-to-prepare foods during weekends and holidays. When asked through a survey, “In the last month, did you ever worry that the food in your house would run out before you were able to buy more?” 76 percent of parents whose children receive BackPacks responded with often or sometimes. This program fills a significant gap for 4,900 children in South Dakota who experience food insecurity. 

“When the bell rings Monday morning, it’s incredibly difficult for a child to focus when she hasn’t eaten since Saturday and her stomach is rumbling with hunger pains,” said Allison Struck, Child Hunger Program manager. “We want to provide for these kids nutritionally so they can excel academically.”

Despite the benefits of the BackPack Program, it does come with limitations. Currently, 75 percent of Feeding South Dakota’s BackPack Program participants share the items in the BackPack with at least one other family member. School Food Pantries help to alleviate this issue by providing food to children and their families at school. 

School-based pantries are located on the grounds of a school to provide an easily accessible source of food assistance to low-income students and their families. A school pantry provides an opportunity to provide perishable foods like meat, dairy, bread, eggs and produce that the BackPack Program is unable to distribute. This program has been operating at Axtell Park in Sioux Falls for two years and provides nutritious foods to 35 families per week during the school year.

Online donations can be made online at FeedingSouthDakota.org/tackle or mailed to 4701 N. Westport Ave., Sioux Falls, SD  57107. Donors should reference which coach they want to support and “Matching Funds” in their check memo line.

“There is nothing more fulfilling than knowing that each one of us can do something so small to help some of the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Coach Stiegelmeier.

Dealing with food insecurity is stressful at any age, but children should not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.  However, Feeding South Dakota knows that there is a solution. With help from community members and donors like the Stiegelmeiers and the Nielsons, South Dakotans can work toward a future in which no child goes hungry in this state.

“A gift today can make a huge impact in the life of a child in need,” said Coach Nielson.

Courtesy photo: From left, John and Laurie Stiegelmeier and Bob and Terri Nielson pack meals for Feeding South Dakota’s Child Hunger Programs.