A $3 million gift from Sanford Health will have ripple effects for the Jackson Food Shelf.
The Sioux Falls, S.D.-based health network recently donated $3 million to food banks across the Upper Midwest, including Second Harvest Heartland. Second Harvest Heartland serves 59 counties in western Wisconsin and Minnesota — including Jackson — and annually distributes enough food for 97 million meals, though it is experiencing a 65 percent increase in need from this time last year. Officials with Second Harvest Heartland say the contribution from Sanford Health will help ensure its locations in central and southwest Minnesota reach those who are food insecure, including via the Jackson Food Shelf in Jackson.
Sanford’s recent donation is one of the largest ever donations to a series of food banks in the Upper Midwest.
“At Sanford Health, we have always said we invest in the communities that we serve, and we have had a longstanding relationship with these organizations,” said Allison Suttle, Sanford Health senior vice president and chief medical officer. “We all need to be good neighbors, especially in difficult times like this. We encourage our employees, and everyone in the communities we serve, to come together, support their local food banks and, by additional donations and volunteering our time, we can help eliminate hunger for those facing uncertainty during this ongoing pandemic.”
The donation coincides with the 75th anniversary of the United Nation’s World Food Day, which promotes worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all. The United Nations estimates 2 billion people do not have access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food on a regular basis. Research shows food insecurity is linked to health risks, including a range of chronic diseases in adults and developmental challenges in children.
“Good health starts with good nutrition, and when we heard about the sharp increases in demand for food, we knew we needed to step in and help,” Suttle said. “Not having access to nutritious food can lead to the development of chronic illnesses and often aggravates the severity of existing conditions. This is a major investment in the well-being of our communities.”