South Dakota Mines Students Make Community Impact Through Annual Day of Service Tradition

January 16, 2026
South Dakota Mines Students Make Community Impact Through Annual Day of Service Tradition
South Dakota Mines students are making the most of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday by honoring the civil rights leader's legacy of service.

South Dakota Mines students are making the most of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday by honoring the civil rights leader's legacy of service.  

For 16 years, student groups have taken the day off from classes to make an impact at the university and within the community by volunteering to collect food and cash donations at local grocery stores. The food drive benefits Feeding South Dakota, a statewide hunger relief organization, as well as the university's student food pantry.

The food drive will take place from 3 – 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19. Student volunteers will be at the following locations in Rapid City: Timmons Neighborhood Market, both Safeway locations, both Family Fare locations and Sam’s Club at Rushmore Crossing.The food drive will take place from 3 – 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19. Student volunteers will be at the following locations in Rapid City: Timmons Neighborhood Market, both Safeway locations, both Family Fare locations and Sam’s Club at Rushmore Crossing.

The annual food drive honors Dr. King’s legacy and provides an opportunity for Rapid City residents to renew their commitment to citizenship through service to others. Student organizations participating include the Delta Sigma Phi, National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Physics Students, Formula Hardrocker Racing, Baja SAE, Lambda Chi Alpha, Triangle fraternity, and Circle K. Campus Ministries will deliver hot chocolate to the groups collecting food.

“For the 16th year, South Dakota Mines is proud to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a student-led food drive,” said Joe Dlugos, Ph.D., Mines dean of students. “Our students are deeply committed not only to becoming exceptional scientists and engineers, but also to being engaged citizens with a passion for service and lifting others. My hope is that seeing so many Mines students giving back to the community on a federal holiday will inspire others across the Black Hills to reflect on how they, too, can make a meaningful impact.” 

Last year, students brought in more than 2,000 pounds and nearly $1,250 during the food drive.

Food can also be dropped off at various locations across the Mines campus, including the Surbeck Center lounge, the King Center, facilities, the Chemical and Biological Engineering and Chemistry (CBEC) building, and the Electrical Engineering and Physics (EEP) building.

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.

In addition to the food drive, the university will host a MLK Day celebration at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 20, in the Beck Ballroom of the Surbeck Center, featuring representatives from Feeding South Dakota and the community discussing the topic of food insecurity. Food totals will also be announced, and awards will be presented to the student groups.