District says drive‑through pantry served 130 families; $10,000 anonymous donation aided effort
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Thompson and Title 1D principal Justin Conroy described a successful drive-through food pantry (Nov. 20) that served over 130 families (more than 500 individuals) in about 90 minutes — a 44% increase over typical pantry nights — and noted a $10,000 anonymous donation.
At the Rapid City Area Schools board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Thompson and Title 1D principal Justin Conroy briefed the board on a recent districtwide food drive and a drive‑through pantry distribution at Rapid City Alternative Academy.
Dr. Thompson said the districtwide food drive (Nov. 5–12) was followed by the special distribution on Nov. 20 and "in just an hour and a half, the district served over 130 families, more than 500 individuals," which he characterized as "a 44% increase over a typical pantry night." He thanked staff leaders and volunteers, singling out Justin Conroy, Anita Dorado (McKinney‑Vento coordinator) and Kit Veidt (student success coordinator) for organizing the event.
Principal Justin Conroy described a broad community effort, saying the City of Rapid City's code enforcement and police assisted with traffic flow and that high‑school students and staff volunteered on site. He emphasized that the district's McKinney‑Vento team operates similar monthly distributions and that local coordination with Feeding South Dakota assures donated food is vetted and redeployed to district families.
Dr. Thompson and board members publicly thanked organizers and volunteers. Dr. Thompson said the effort was supported in part by "a $10,000 donation through an anonymous source." Board members noted positive family feedback and suggested the drive‑through model was an efficient option for future distributions.
What happens next: district staff will continue to coordinate with Feeding South Dakota and refine drive‑through logistics for future events; no formal board action was taken.
