Submitted Photo Volunteers with the Lord's Cupboard Food Pantry unpack additional food supplies.

The Minot Area Community Foundation (MACF) has announced the Arnold I. Besserud Fund has surpassed $2 million in grants to area organizations and community initiatives since its establishment in 2011.

Arnold Besserud was an extraordinarily modest and unassuming man. He lived humbly and established his network of friends through the soup kitchens and food pantries in Minot. He participated in these programs, sharing meals and establishing friendships with those in attendance. When he died, Besserud asked that the Minot Area Community Foundation see that his legacy continued by first helping those who need it most, according to the foundation.

The Arnold I. Besserud Fund was established at MACF in 2011. As of the end of 2025, the fund has granted just over $2.3 million to area soup kitchens, food pantries, humanitarian efforts and community impact projects. The primary intent of the endowment is to support food pantries, soup kitchens and humanitarian needs while also addressing other priority needs throughout the community.

There are five main food pantries serving the Minot area: The Lord’s Cupboard Food Pantry, Our Lady of Grace Food Pantry, Salvation Army, Minot State University Food Pantry and Community Action Emergency Food Pantry. Since 2011, the Besserud Fund has granted more than $381,000 directly to food pantries.

In addition, Minot has community meals available every day of the week through soup kitchens operated by local churches and dedicated volunteers. Minot is home to eight soup kitchens: Seventh Day Adventist Church (Sunday meal served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), Faith United Methodist Church (Monday meal served 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), Christ Lutheran Church (Tuesday meal served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), Immanuel Baptist Church (Wednesday meal served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (Wednesday meal served 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.), St. Leo’s Catholic Church (Thursday meal served 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.), First Lutheran Church (Friday meal served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and The Welcome Table (Saturday meal served 10:30 a.m.-noon). Over the years, the fund has provided more than $299,000 to support meal enhancements at these soup kitchens.

Beyond food assistance, the Besserud fund has helped organizations acquire critical equipment needed to serve the community. Grants for items such as walk-in coolers, freezers, kitchen equipment, and facility improvements total more than $526,000 since the fund’s inception.

Because community needs extend far beyond food, the Besserud Fund has also supported a wide range of humanitarian and community impact initiatives. To date, more than $1.1 million has been invested in organizations and projects including the Men’s Winter Refuge, The Sanctuary Sober Living Home, Minot Commission on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program, Souris Valley United Way’s Backpack Buddies program, the Domestic Violence Crisis Center and many others.

One of the most visible extensions of Arnold Besserud’s legacy is MACF’s Donation Station. Established through support from the Besserud Fund, the Donation Station has collected more than 107,000 pounds of food for area pantries since 2017. Through challenge grants tied to those community food drives, the fund has awarded just over $60,000 to local food pantries. Together, these efforts continue Besserud’s vision of neighbors helping neighbors and ensuring that those in need have access to food and support.

“Surpassing $2 million in grants is a remarkable milestone, but the true impact of the Besserud Fund can’t be measured in dollars alone,” said Jason Zimmerman, MACF president. “Every meal served, every family assisted and every life touched through this fund is a reflection of Arnold Besserud’s compassion and generosity. We are honored to carry out his wishes and ensure his legacy continues.”