Having heard some of the rumors concerning the Wagner Helping Hands backpack program, I would like to inform you that we are still serving the kindergarten and first grade children of the Wagner Community School. This is entirely separate and not like the food boxes that come once a month. We give food to needy children and families every week for the week-end. Contrary to the Feeding South Dakota Food Box program, we have to buy all the food. It comes mostly from Feeding South Dakota because it is more economical and has to be shelf stable. We try to give two sources of protein, a vegetable, two small cereal boxes, two milks, and a snack or two. Sometimes it works out to feed a family, such as a box of mac and cheese, or a large can of spaghetti and meatballs. We do not know what is available until we see the list for the month.

Food is delivered every month, and the cost has gone up, as well as the shipping. We are currently serving 78 children. The cost for a month’s worth of food and delivery is nearly $2,000. This is a letter to inform you about the program. If you have any further questions, or would like to make a donation you can call Sue Isebrands at 605-4914776. Please leave a message if I don’t answer. My mailing address is: PO Box 430 in Wagner. You can also contact Nadine Strivens , our treasurer, at PO Box 198 in Pickstown, SD. Thank you for your consideration.

Written by Sue Isebrands Project Chairman