According to organizers, LeAnn Kuper and Brenda Maass, the Grant County Christian Service Council gave away 7,815 pounds of food today. “This giveaway went just fabulous,” said Kuper. “We had great volunteers running two lines to get people in and out in no time.”
This was the third giveaway conducted in Milbank. The first was in August at the Milbank Visitor Center and was by invitation only according to Maass. The second one took place in October at Milbank High School. “We learned a lot from that one,” Maass said. “We planned for 120 people and were overwhelmed by 200. That gave us a good idea of the number of people that need this food. Each time, the numbers are increasing.”
Organizers planned for 200 people today, and it was estimated 250 attended. Nearly 80 volunteers helped run the event. Volunteers helped people through the lines, handed out food, and loaded boxes into vehicles opting to use the drive-thru.
“It was great having it at the Fire Hall,” Kuper said. “We had a lot more space, and things ran smoothly.”
The Grant County Christian Service Council plans to continue these giveaways three times per year. The giveaway is for anyone in need of food. There is no paperwork or income guidelines required.