Partners Against Hunger

On Monday, December 5, 2011 formal action was taken to form Partners Against Hunger, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “Strengthening and uniting communities that all may be fed.”

What started as an office meeting between USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager and Rev. David Zellmer, Bishop of the SD Synod ELCA, regarding food ministry and feeding the hungry has flourished into meetings of constituents across the state of South Dakota. Four meetings have been held since midsummer. Because of the diverse nature of the group, a lot of time has been given in just trying to get to know each other and the resources that can be brought to the table.

Small groups brainstormed to determine the most important functions of the organization. An action committee was formed to work with the statements and draft a vision statement before our next meeting. This committee is comprised of Christine Sorenson of SD USDA – Rural Development, Suzanne Stluka of SDSU Extension Service and Kurt Osborne of Lutheran Planned Giving, SD Synod ELCA.

Bishop Dave Zellmer of the SD Synod ELCA, Maria Birch of Trinity Lutheran Church of Chamberlain and Christine Sorenson of SD USDA – Rural Development were appointed to another action committee that will work on the legal paperwork for the 501c3 status. This is a diverse group, made up of representatives from state and federal agencies, three denominations, and folks serving in food pantry and feeding ministries from across South Dakota. “I am excited about the dedication and commitment of the people representing the various organizations and agencies that are coming together to end hunger in South Dakota” says Bishop Dave Zellmer.

The group is eager to start making a difference, collaborating together to increase awareness, provide research, promote and educate people concerning the programs and resources already available and to gather and share success stories and ideas from across the state. At an earlier meeting they were bold enough to say they want to help make healthy food accessible to everyone in South Dakota by 2015.

The next meeting of Partners Against Hunger will be on Tuesday, January 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at SD Housing Development in Pierre. People interested in attending may contact Karen Rollag of th SD Synod ELCA at 605-212-5441 or krollag@sdsynod.org.