You might have heard us say that volunteers are the heart and soul of this ministry and that is not an overstatement! It takes a minimum of 20,000 volunteers a year to fulfill our mission. The Banquet simply would not exist if it wasn’t for the volunteers. Since our inception 33 years ago volunteers from Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities have come together to meet the needs of people who are hungry. As we celebrate another National Volunteer Month in April 2018 remember that YOU are The Banquet and we appreciate all your hard work!

Banquet Volunteer Facts:

•451 unique groups (businesses, churches, service groups ) served

in 2017•77mealswereservedbyour

individual volunteers, The Banquet Angels •Therearecurrently1,118

Angel volunteers subscribed to our texting alerts and it grows every day!

There are two churches right here in our community in Sioux Falls that go above and beyond to serve their neighbors in need and we want to recognize them. First United Methodist Church covered 26 serving dates and St. Katharine Drexel covered 16 serving dates. WOW, that is a commitment! These churches are not only providing the hands to do the work, they are providing the funds for us to purchase the food that will be served. We are so thankful for the commitment you have made to The Banquet year after year; we couldn’t do this without you.

We know you never ask for recognition for the time you put in, but if you volunteered even just once this past year you should give yourself a pat on the back. You are truly making a difference in the lives of people in Sioux Falls. For that we say THANK YOU, you are priceless to us!

Volunteers, Our Heart and Soul

Easter Baskets Bring Spring Smiles

Children who come to The Banquet enjoyed receiving Easter Baskets during lunch on March 31st. We have many people to thank for donating Easter baskets and supplies to The Banquet including Spirit of Peace UCC, the Sioux Falls Firefighters Association’s “Step Up for Heroes”, Service First Federal Credit Union, Renner Lutheran Church, Kay Gollesch, Joyce Kaatz, David Hilderbrand, Karen Kraus, and Kathy Redinius. You are a blessing to The Banquet! Thank you to Sands Drywall who sponsored the Easter meal!

Gifts in Honor/Memory of Thank you to the many people who give gifts to The Banquet in honor or in memory of a friend or relative.

These wonderful gifts help sustain The Banquet ministry. Memorials January 1, 2018 - March 31, 2018.

Given By In Honor/Memory ofFran Alberty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January birthdays, Family birthdays in MarchJudy & Ken Alvine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve AlvineKen & Sandy Anderson Jim Senst, Russell Highby & Robert Malone, Leon LingleMaureen Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucy Hoekstra & Darlene BlissKen & Sandy Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Kling & Warren Parker, Meribel SteinerMaureen Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Myrna NissenBev Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joy BakerNancy & Bob Barclay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mukhtair KaurRon Bechler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wanda BechlerDwayne & Colleen Bents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dwayne BentsRita Bianchi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom & Carol Rademacher’s 45th AnniversaryJohn Biggins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marianne BigginsKatie Blauwet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas KuhnRosalie Bowar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Doyle & Bruce BowarAlice Braun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dora Jacobson and Orval Hess Earl Borsheim & Jerry Deal Gerald & Carol Allen Mary Ann Thornberg Thelma EberhardtChris Braun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reg WakeyJerry Braun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jim BraunAlmie Carlson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger CarlsonKay Casanova . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leslie HardesTerry & Pat Comstock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Duane CoxDave Danielson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lois Nelson, Hans Stensland, Avonelle Sogn, & Doris PedersonJan & Stephen Desloover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kay SaladinHoward Dinsmore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Caryll DinsmoreGreta Eckardt-Swier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Douglas EckardtLori & Jonathan Eckrich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arnie Peterson and Barabara UbbenDave Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger EdwardsMary J. Fleming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Weber & Nellie ReevesD. Jo Gascoigne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FamilyMasako & Mike Gould . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Ann GouldGraco Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marie BultenaJosh Grode Wolters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dakotah JordanCherie & Terry Groth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doris Moore RobinsonMargie Hagen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phillip HagenTom & Kathleen Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Richard BakerBarbaralee Hansen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Duane B. HansenPat Hansen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meribel SteinerJoanne Hjellming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Orlie HjellmingGary & Colleen Hohn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caitlyn CarmanBernadette Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aggie RandallLarry Jacobson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elk Past Exalted RulersPamela Janssen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard MatthisonCameron Jensen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our Lord and Savior Jesus ChristHenrietta Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FamilyLeRoy & Martha Jongetjes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David JongetjesRobert & Jo Ann Klingbile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louise CronnGene & Aleda Knopf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our daughter VickyDouglas & Mary C. Knudson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Art and Gladys NelsonJonathan & Melanie Koskela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Linda RaveMarilyn Larson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aireal LarsonMarion E. Lauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Breuer Ruth Ann Lorang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marvin LorangDarlene McMahon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Duane B. McMahon, Joan HilmoePatrice Meier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Meier & Brent LangstonJerry & Di Mettler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hans Stensland, Tom KuhnSandy Moose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lyette Ruyter, Shirley DoolittleRonald Mursick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debbie MursickKaren Muth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wayne MuthBill & Cindy Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eleanor Miller’s 95th BirthdayLen & Carol Neugebauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joel NeugebauerVera & Norman Nielsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Darlene LeffringMarlene (Mrs Ivan) Olivier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ivan OlivierTimothy & Marlene Olson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our Great GrandsonTimothy & Lynnette Qualm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dorothy Myers & Doris ApplequistJudith Radermacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Rademacher

Given By In Honor/Memory ofGladys Rehder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gladys RehderCharlene & Bruce Ritter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeanene KastenLyle & Sharil Rollag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mike GunnSteve & Jane Sahly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Truman PhelanSue & Alan Sandvig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Avonelle SognDebra Sittig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug SittigJean Skaff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwen DelgerOrville & Carol Sorlie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary MillerBrad & Marlene Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pam & Jerry OrtmanJulie & Rick Stiklestad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joy StiklestadPam Sutton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orm & Bev SuttonHarold & Peggy Swier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Florence Van Kekerix, Harvey RehfeldtJames & Elanine Tatge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steven EieslandMaywin & Anthony Thoreson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henri ThoresonLinda Torgerson . . . . . April 7th Anniversary of Dilip and Tange Ladhani & Dilip Ladhani’s birthdayEloise Vogelzang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dick VogelzangDon & Coryll Weeg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah Schutte Lew & Donna Weeks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isabelle Short Renee & Lewis Weinberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike & Candy CraneSarah Wetrich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Donald WetrichWildflower Presbyterian Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DeaconGlenna Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert C. WilsonCindy Wolf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave WeirtzemaAvis Wooledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dale WooledgeArthadell Engman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley AlbertyMike & Pat SchaeferConnie Corey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jone AndersonWalt SognSue & Alan Sandvig Kermit & Doris Rye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rita Kirschman Marjorie GunnLyle & Sharil RollagMichael Heavy & Teresa Colombo-Heavey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alvin SchroederBrent BakerKerwin & Vera HaanJohn LambWayne & Margaret LarsenPartners Medical Consulting George & Judith ReganCarol SchroederCatherine StienstraBette & Wayne TalleySherri Frey Peggy Miller Rolland Cooper Sharon A. Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joan WeberSteve & Madeline AngerhoferAnonymous Marnie DahleWilliam & Denise DelaneyJoseph & Marilyn DelaneyCarolyn & Ron DownsRev. Rod & Doris GistCandis C. HansonMel & Ann HendriksBarb IversonRita KecklerSherry KelloggPatricia A. KiebachClarice KumlienRonald E. & Renae E. LarsonJean & William McCuskerMarie McKittrickJewel ReiffenbergerGary ShepherdLynn TobenMark & Darlene WeberAndy & Roxane Weber

Ballers Bounce Back The Banquet Ballers, a kickball teamthat raises money for The Banquet, will be competing in the 2nd annual Kicks for a Cause Tournament in June. This kickball tournament fundraiser will be held on Saturday June 2nd at the McCart Fields by the Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. Our competition is fierce as 16 local non-profit organizations battle for bragging rights but the Banquet Ballers plan to come out on top! Please come out and support The Banquet’s team for a day filled with kickball, food trucks, and family fun. Games start at 9am and end at 4pm, we will see you there! Interested in sponsoring our team? We would love to put your logo on our team shirts! Please contact Dakotah at Dakotah@thebanquetsf.org or 605-335-7066.

Bra-Vo Bold Distributes Bras at The Banquet

A non-profit started by two local women, one of whom is a breast surgeon, collects new and gently used bras to distribute to women in need. In February The Banquet was selected to host Bra-Vo Bold’s first distribution event and they gave out several hundred bras to very grateful women. Thank you for choosing The Banquet!

Volunteer Dress Code Reminder

Spring and summer are almost here! When you come to volunteer at The Banquet please remember our dress code. Wear tennis shoes or any closed toe shoes- no sandals. Jeans or walking shorts and t-shirts that are long enough to be tucked in are perfect for volunteering. These guidelines are for your safety. Thank you!

Love is the Main Ingredient in Banquet MealsDespite the ruling by the Food and Drug Administration that “love” cannot be listed as an ingredient in recipes, Nancy, a guest at Banquet West, says that’s the element that keeps her coming back night after night to The Banquet. “They’re all loving people here,” said Nancy who makes her way to the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds every Tuesday and Wednesday night for a meal.

She was born and raised just outside of Volga, SD and earned a teaching degree at South Dakota State University in the early 1970’s. Nancy married, had three daughters and taught pre-school and elementary school in Detroit, Michigan. She’s been back in Sioux Falls for a while and she considers the guests and staff at Banquet West her family. “It’s a warm feeling you get here when you come in. It’s like a big family. And the food, my gosh, it’s so delicious. It’s God sent.”

She spreads the word about the amazing food and fellowship at The Banquet among her neighbors who live in a mobile home park in northwest Sioux Falls. Nancy says many of her neighbors work all day, and really don’t talk to anyone. They do their job, come home and are alone. “The people at The Banquet care about us. Coming here gives us a chance to talk to others and if someone isn’t here, they’re missed.”

The Banquet ministry serves the most vulnerable people in Sioux Falls. The volunteers serve guests with compassion, dignity and respect. Please be a part of this vital ministry by volunteering, recruiting a group to sponsor a meal or making a monetary donation to support The Banquet. Go online to reserve a serving date at www.thebanquetsf.org

The Banquet serves 13 meals each week. Breakfast – 7:00-8:00am Monday-FridayDinner – 6:00-7:30pm Monday-FridayLunch – 11:30-12:30pm SaturdaysBanquet West – Tuesday & Wednesday - Dinner

Thank you for your support of this very vital ministry!

January David Jones Fashions Welty Family and FriendsAlvine and Weidenaar, LLPBNI Best Chapter Select Painting Marketplace Home Mortgage and Keller WilliamsJerime Friendship Group Sanford Women’sDrieson TransportRiverview Dental Lincoln High School ROTC Alcester Care and Rehab Center Stensland Family Farms

February Rotary West Harrisburg High School Career and Technical OrganizationsHolbrook LifegroupSioux Falls Flyers ACLNorth American Truck and TrailerSD Engineering-Eastern Chapter

March BNI-Red Hot Referrals SGT Resurrection Lutheran ChurchOur Saviors Lutheran Church Confirmation Group POET Process Engineering First Adventure Learning CenterBNSF Railway

Thank You to our Volunteers! New Serving Groups

Ballers Bounce Back The Banquet Ballers, a kickball teamthat raises money for The Banquet, will be competing in the 2nd annual Kicks for a Cause Tournament in June. This kickball tournament fundraiser will be held on Saturday June 2nd at the McCart Fields by the Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. Our competition is fierce as 16 local non-profit organizations battle for bragging rights but the Banquet Ballers plan to come out on top! Please come out and support The Banquet’s team for a day filled with kickball, food trucks, and family fun. Games start at 9am and end at 4pm, we will see you there! Interested in sponsoring our team? We would love to put your logo on our team shirts! Please contact Dakotah at Dakotah@thebanquetsf.org or 605-335-7066.

Bra-Vo Bold Distributes Bras at The Banquet

A non-profit started by two local women, one of whom is a breast surgeon, collects new and gently used bras to distribute to women in need. In February The Banquet was selected to host Bra-Vo Bold’s first distribution event and they gave out several hundred bras to very grateful women. Thank you for choosing The Banquet!

Volunteer Dress Code Reminder

Spring and summer are almost here! When you come to volunteer at The Banquet please remember our dress code. Wear tennis shoes or any closed toe shoes- no sandals. Jeans or walking shorts and t-shirts that are long enough to be tucked in are perfect for volunteering. These guidelines are for your safety. Thank you!

Love is the Main Ingredient in Banquet MealsDespite the ruling by the Food and Drug Administration that “love” cannot be listed as an ingredient in recipes, Nancy, a guest at Banquet West, says that’s the element that keeps her coming back night after night to The Banquet. “They’re all loving people here,” said Nancy who makes her way to the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds every Tuesday and Wednesday night for a meal.

She was born and raised just outside of Volga, SD and earned a teaching degree at South Dakota State University in the early 1970’s. Nancy married, had three daughters and taught pre-school and elementary school in Detroit, Michigan. She’s been back in Sioux Falls for a while and she considers the guests and staff at Banquet West her family. “It’s a warm feeling you get here when you come in. It’s like a big family. And the food, my gosh, it’s so delicious. It’s God sent.”

She spreads the word about the amazing food and fellowship at The Banquet among her neighbors who live in a mobile home park in northwest Sioux Falls. Nancy says many of her neighbors work all day, and really don’t talk to anyone. They do their job, come home and are alone. “The people at The Banquet care about us. Coming here gives us a chance to talk to others and if someone isn’t here, they’re missed.”

The Banquet ministry serves the most vulnerable people in Sioux Falls. The volunteers serve guests with compassion, dignity and respect. Please be a part of this vital ministry by volunteering, recruiting a group to sponsor a meal or making a monetary donation to support The Banquet. Go online to reserve a serving date at www.thebanquetsf.org

The Banquet serves 13 meals each week. Breakfast – 7:00-8:00am Monday-FridayDinner – 6:00-7:30pm Monday-FridayLunch – 11:30-12:30pm SaturdaysBanquet West – Tuesday & Wednesday - Dinner

Thank you for your support of this very vital ministry!

A Volunteer’s PerspectiveBy Jennifer Larson

“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” Mother Teresa

Shortly before this past Thanksgiving, I was talking with a Banquet guest about the Thanksgiving holiday. He explained to me that his parents had died and he didn’t have any family left. But, he said, he was able to spend his Thanksgiving holiday at The Banquet where he would get a great meal and enjoy it with people who cared about him. He didn’t feel any bitterness about not having relatives to spend the holiday with, but felt blessed by the hospitality and friendship he had with The Banquet staff and guests.

We are living in a time where we see and hear stories every day about things that are going wrong in the world. By spending time at The Banquet, however, I am reminded of all the good in the world. I can’t count the number of times I’ve watched someone comfort a person who is upset. Or, laughed at a joke told by a guest. Or, watched a smile blossom on the face of someone who was smiled at.

It is these experiences that make me excited and energized to serve at The Banquet. We don’t have to work very hard in the few hours we are serving. But, we are greatly rewarded with love, appreciation, friendship, gratitude, and the company of people who care.

Each time I serve at The Banquet, I type “Be Blessed at The Banquet” into my calendar. This helps me to keep the perspective that this isn’t just another appointment in my busy day. Rather, this is an opportunity to be part of a great community. Like the guest who looked forward to spending Thanksgiving Day at The Banquet, I feel blessed by the relationships and friends I’ve made at The Banquet.

January David Jones Fashions Welty Family and FriendsAlvine and Weidenaar, LLPBNI Best Chapter Select Painting Marketplace Home Mortgage and Keller WilliamsJerime Friendship Group Sanford Women’sDrieson TransportRiverview Dental Lincoln High School ROTC Alcester Care and Rehab Center Stensland Family Farms

February Rotary West Harrisburg High School Career and Technical OrganizationsHolbrook LifegroupSioux Falls Flyers ACLNorth American Truck and TrailerSD Engineering-Eastern Chapter

March BNI-Red Hot Referrals SGT Resurrection Lutheran ChurchOur Saviors Lutheran Church Confirmation Group POET Process Engineering First Adventure Learning CenterBNSF Railway

Thank You to our Volunteers! New Serving Groups

Project: SOS Faces New ChallengesThe Banquet’s Project: SOS provided nearly 6,000 brand new back packs and school supplies to children living in poverty in our community last school year, and we could not do that without your help!

Now we face a new challenge. Up until last year, we were able to purchase thousands of high-quality backpacks for all grades from Kmart, but with the closing of Kmart stores in our community and around the region, this is no longer a source for us. We are exploring new avenues for fulfilling the needs in our community including reaching out to other retailers to be included in their orders for backpacks from their suppliers. Walmart, Menards, and Lewis have been working with us to reach our goal. We also welcome businesses, groups and churches who are willing to “adopt-a-grade” and purchase backpacks and supplies for our kids. If you have ideas, please contact Erika at 605-335-7066 or erika@thebanquetsf.org to find out what our needs are and how you can help.

Right now, our greatest need is for middle school and high school backpacks: durable 18-inch, double-strapped (not messenger bags) in muted colors and styles.

Project: SOS dates to remember!

How to Get SuppliesCome to Whittier Middle School, 930 E. 6th St., on Saturday, August 18, 2018 from 9:00 am to4:00pm.Thechildmustbepresenttoreceivesupplies,thechildmusthavesomeformof identification (social security card, Medicaid card, birth certificate, etc.), and the child must be accompanied by an adult.

How to Volunteer to HelpWe will begin signing volunteers up on July 1, 2018; you MUST sign up to volunteer!Packing Day is Friday, August 17, 2018 at The Banquet.2shifts:10:00am-12:00pmor1:00pm-4:00pm.High school age and adult volunteers only.Distribution Day is Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Whittier Middle School.3shifts:7:30am-11:00am,10:45am-2:00pm,1:45pm-4:30pm.Adult volunteers only.

Data entry volunteers are needed for all Saturday shifts. Please bring your laptop. We will provide a USB drive to save data. Interpreters are needed as well. Call Erika at 605-335-7066 with any questions.

Online Challenge Could Raise $100,000 for The Banquet through Gannett FoundationThe Banquet needs your help to qualify for a $100,000 grant. The Banquet has been approved to apply for a grant through the Gannett Foundation. Gannett owns the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and USA Today. In order to show weareseriousaboutourmission,wehavetoraise$6,000throughonlinedonations by May 11th to be eligible for one of the larger grants. The money raised, online, will go toward serving expenses that are not covered by groups thatservethemeals.Forexample,TheBanquetspends$35,000eachyearonserving supplies such as:

•Aluminumfoil SuppliesforBanquetWest:•Parchmentpaper •Styrofoamplates,bowls,cups•Napkins &silverware•Gloves •Panliners•Coffeefilters •Sternofuel•Salt,pepper&spices•Oilsandvinegar•Sugarandflour

Please consider giving to our online campaign before the deadline so that we will be eligible for a $100,000 grant, which will be used to expand services at Banquet West! Find the challenge on The Banquet’s Facebook page.

Find the direct link to donate at The Banquet Sioux Falls Facebook page.

Amazon Smile Gives The Banquet Money for Your Purchases When shopping online for graduation gifts and Mother’s Day presents this spring, please use smile.amazon.com and you can help The Banquet too! Select The Banquet as your charity of choice and Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to us. Every donation helps and it’s a great way to give to others while giving back to your community! The Banquet has received$150throughyourAmazonSmiledonations.

Angel of the Month

February - Dianna Duvall March - Lena Peters April - Jeff Veire

Thank you to all of the volunteers who spend time serving at The Banquet. You are truly a blessing to this ministry.

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Hunger Never Takes a Summer Vacation-Please Serve a Meal this SummerEach week The Banquet provides 13 opportunities for people in need to come receive a hot, nutritious meal. That also means that each week we need 13 groups to prepare, serve, and pay for those meals.

In seasons of giving such as Thanksgiving and Christmas we have an abundance of help, but this isn’t the case all year long. The summer is the most difficult time of the year to find volunteers, specifically May and September. This is a time of year when the kids are out of school, and families are going on vacation, but hunger never takes a vacation. In fact, The Banquet serves the most meals during the summer, because children are not in school and do not receive a school lunch.

We need you more than ever in the summer. Volunteers are the necessary ingredient to making sure the hungry families in our community are fed. We are looking for groups of any size to prepare, serve, and sponsor a meal. Tell your friends, family, and neighbors that The Banquet needs the groups you are a part of to come and help. Check out our online calendar at www.thebanquetsf.org to see available dates and sign up to help.

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSIOUX FALLS, SD PERMIT NO 7145

The Banquet900 E. 8th StreetSioux Falls, SD 57103

MLK Day of Service Collects Record Number of Feminine Hygiene Products Hundreds of Sioux Falls women are grateful for the gift of feminine hygiene products they receive at The Banquet. This is all possible thanks to a group of women who organized the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service in Sioux Falls.

More than 49,479 individually wrapped feminine hygiene products, 4 big boxes of deodorant, and $461 were donated at the Feminine Product Drive hosted at Prairie Berry East Bank. Hundreds of individuals and businesses contributed to this drive that provides feminine hygiene items to women living in poverty.

Men and women from all over our city stopped by that night to drop off their donated items.

Thank you to the organizations that made this event possible: Downtown Sioux Falls, Sioux Empire Rock-a-Betty’s, Prairie Berry East Bank, Fresh Produce, Sioux Falls Up and Coming, LEAD South Dakota and the Sioux Falls Roller Dollz.

On behalf of the women who receive these items, we want to say thank you to the groups that organize this event and all the people across our city who support them by donating these items. You are truly making a difference in women’s lives!