Food Pantries and Distribution

Food is a vital component of improving health, morale, and hope for a better life.

Fundamental to a healthy, positive lifestyle, which One Spirit believes is the birthright of all people, is sound nutrition.

It is ironic that in the richest nation on the planet, there are still people for whom sound nutrition remains elusive. On the Pine Ridge Reservation, One Spirit is dedicated to helping the Oglala Lakota overcome the lack of this basic need, from which so many other possibilities arise.

The Pine Ridge Reservation is one of the poorest areas in the United States. With poverty and unemployment (up to 90%) come hunger, lack of healthy food alternatives, and concomitant health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. The despair of poverty also results in social ills such as drug and alcohol abuse, shorter lifespans, high suicide rates (especially among teens), and a feeling of hopelessness.

A Food Desert

To make matters worse, Pine Ridge is in a food “desert” where healthy food selections are hard to come by. In fact, the original program created by Jeri Baker when she founded One Spirit was the Food Program. At first small in scope, with monthly food boxes costing about $65 each, filled and delivered by our Lakota employees to needy families around the reservation, the One Spirit Food Program now feeds over 6,000 Lakota monthly.

We Rely On Our Partnerships with Local Organizations

Working in partnership with local organizations and businesses including, the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council, Feeding South Dakota, Buche Foods, and local farmers who donate fresh produce, and thanks to the faithful supporters who provide the funds needed, One Spirit is not only able to supply so many people with healthful, nutritious foods. We are also able to provide partner organizations with food, including the Rosebud Soup Kitchen, One Spirit Allen Youth Center, Goldie’s Meals on Wheels, the Manderson Feeding Program, Pine Ridge Veterans’ Home, and the Bear Cave Suicide Prevention Program for young people. Food pantries have also been set up in Allen and Wounded Knee, with more to come as donations will allow.

A Sustainable Solution for the Lakota Tribal Members

A corollary to the Food Distribution Program is the Kyle Agricultural Campus, where Lakota tribal members can learn about organic gardening to grow some of their own food, as well as providing land and greenhouses. This is another means to support the Lakota in the achievement of food sovereignty.