FARGO – Glenburn Food Pantry, Abundance of Grace Food Pantry in Mandan and Turtle Mountain Chippewa Food Pantry in Belcourt have been given the 2020 Agency of the Year Award by the Great Plains Food Bank for exceptional work in the fight to end hunger during a challenging year. Each recipient is given an award that epitomizes the organization’s three core values – passion, service and innovation.

The Glenburn Food Pantry is the Passion award winner.

The Glenburn Food Pantry’s operation has grown immensely in recent years. In addition to its monthly distributions, the Glenburn Food Pantry has expanded to operate a BackPack Program, clothing closet and provided healthy produce to members of the community during the summer months through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers to Families Food Box Program.

“The help this community receives is undeniably needed and appreciated by all that receive it,” according to the nomination. “It aids families that no one ever knows need it. Food is provided for all members of the community who are in need, whether it be for a holiday, for students or for basic necessities.”

Turtle Mountain Chippewa Food Pantry is the Innovation award winner.

The pantry has gained the respect within the Belcourt community and has become a valuable resource. Pantry workers displayed true innovation in 2020 when COVID-19 presented challenges and led to more people than ever needing food assistance. Turtle Mountain Chippewa immediately transitioned to drive-up distributions to serve people quickly and safely. Operation of Turtle Mountain Chippewa has become a community effort with utilizing volunteers from different organizations and other walks of life to help make it successful.

“Jackie (Giron) has given many years to helping hungry families and takes the time to meet the needs of these families and children however she can,” the nomination stated.

Abundance of Grace Food Pantry received the Service award. Abundance of Grace more than doubled the amount of food distributed from 57,123 pounds in 2019 to 127,881 pounds in 2020. They added food rescue stops at Walmart in Mandan and at Costco and Panera Bread in Bismarck to their weekly pickups. When more people than ever were in need as a result of COVID-19, Abundance of Grace shifted to drive-up distributions to keep clients and volunteers as safe as possible.

The Agency of the Year Award is the highest honor given to the Great Plains Food Bank’s network of 200 food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens located throughout North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. The network of partners was especially critical during 2020 as the Great Plains Food Bank witnessed a near 45% increase in need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Agencies are nominated for the Agency of the Year Award by members of the community, local businesses, civic organizations, volunteers or clients.