For the 14th year, South Dakota Mines students will come
together to hold the annual Martin Luther King Day Food Drive at local grocery
stores. Last year, students collected over 2,600 lbs. of food.
For the 14th year, student groups from South Dakota
Mines will serve as volunteers on the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday,
collecting food and cash donations at local grocery stores. The food drive
benefits Feeding South Dakota and the university’s student food pantry.
The 14th annual food drive will be from 3-6 p.m. on
Monday, Jan. 15. Student volunteers will be at the following locations in Rapid
City and Box Elder: Timmons Neighborhood Market in Rapid City and Box Elder,
both Safeway locations, both Walmart locations and both Family Fare locations.
"For 14 years now, South Dakota Mines has been
honored to commend the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. with a food drive
organized and implemented by our students,” said South Dakota Mines Dean of
Students Joe Dlugos, Ph.D. “MLK himself said that 'Everyone can be great...
because anybody can serve.' A large portion of our students are doing just that
on Jan. 15. Instead of simply kicking their feet up and taking the day off from
their studies, they are serving in the community and setting an example for
everyone they encounter. One of the secondary goals of this special event is
that the Black Hills community be able to recognize South Dakota Mines as not
only a reputable institution for earning a degree in science and engineering,
but also a place that is developing tomorrow's leaders who have a passion for
service and uplifting the general public."
The annual food drive honors Dr. King’s legacy and
is an opportunity for Rapid City residents to renew their vows of citizenship
through service to others. Student organizations participating include women’s
basketball, Beta Delta Mu, Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Sigma Phi, Hardrocker Cheer,
Triangle, National Society of Black Engineers and Dino and Dragons. Student
groups brought in more than 2,600 pounds of food and over $750 during the 2023
drive.
To help support students’ efforts, South Dakota
Mines is partnering with Black Hills Federal Credit Union again. BHFCU is
helping fundraise and collect canned goods and other non-perishables as part of
the food drive. Collection bins are located at the five Rapid City BHFCU Member
Service Centers and on the South Dakota Mines campus. Drop-off locations on the
Mines Campus include the physics and math departments and Student Engagement in
the Surbeck Center.
Checks can be made out to Feeding South Dakota. Cash
donations will be used to purchase food for the Mines student food pantry and
donated to Feeding South Dakota.