Souper Sunday event to feed hungry families

The Great Plains Food Bank, a program of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, is partnering with the Red River Valley Fair Association for their inaugural Souper Sunday event set for Sunday, July 15.  Event organizers have set a goal of collecting enough food to provide 10,000 meals to hungry neighbors in need living in Cass and Clay counties.

"One in 12 people in our community seeks emergency food assistance each year at a food pantry, soup kitchen or emergency shelter supplied by the Great Plains Food Bank," said Marcia Paulson, director of marketing and development for the Great Plains Food Bank. "Food collected on Souper Sunday will make a huge impact in the lives of those struggling to put a meal on the table for their families."

With a donation of two or more nonperishable food items made between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Souper Sunday, fair goers will receive $2 off their adult gate admission.  Donations can be dropped off at any of the fair entrance locations in clearly marked collection barrels.

"The Red River Valley Fair is excited to partner with the Great Plains Food Bank and to give back to our community," Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz stated.  "This opportunity to receive gate admission discounts and feed the hungry is a win-win for everyone."

The Great Plains Food Bank engages community partners to end hunger.  As the state's largest hunger-relief provider, the Great Plains Food Bank partner network includes 290 charitable feeding programs operating in 109 communities across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota.  In 2011, the Great Plains Food Bank distributed a record 9.4 million pounds of food, touching the lives of more than 71,400 individuals - 35% being children and 14% seniors.