Nov. 20, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by Knife River South Dakota.

The cars start lining up hours before the sun comes up every year.

Inside are people who would struggle to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal were it not for the chance to come to the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds and receive one from Feeding South Dakota.

But first, hundreds of cars need a path to pick up their boxes of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, gravy and rolls.

“We line them up down at the fairgrounds, they get a number for how many meals they get, and then they run into our shop,” said Brig Schilling, equipment general manager, who coordinates a Knife River volunteer team supporting the event.

“They run through our shop, and we have three drive-thru doors and people in the parking lot to direct them. They go through and get their food, and out the gate they go.”

For the third year, Knife River has offered Feeding South Dakota use of its shop building adjacent to the fairgrounds for the annual giveaway.

“The first time we did it, a man game through on a bike and got a meal for himself, so we see everything, from one person to up to a dozen people in a car, from grandparents to young kids,” Schilling said. “There are a lot of people in need coming through, and it’s a humbling experience.”

The need is as great this year as ever. Feeding South Dakota saw 900 more families use its mobile food distribution program in September compared with August. In late October, the USDA Economic Research Service reported the largest one-year jump in food insecurity since 2008, the first full year of the Great Recession. The 12.8 percent of people believed to be food insecure is the largest percentage since 2014.

“We expect to serve record numbers this holiday season as families are making tough choices: pay the rent, fix the car or put food on the table,” said Jennifer Stensaas, community engagement manager with Feeding South Dakota.

“Our partnership with Knife River has been such a blessing! Guests who visit this special Thanksgiving distribution drive through the heated building, where volunteers will load vehicles and guide them out on the other side. It’s so efficient. The majority of our volunteers are able to stay out of the harsh elements and have a place to warm up when cold. Not only does Knife River provide an amazing location, but it comes with many of their staff as volunteer support as well.”

For Knife River, “it’s something we’re very passionate about being involved in,” Schilling said. “We get more volunteers than we need, and as a company, we get a lot of pride and joy and fulfillment out of it.”

To continue supporting Feeding South Dakota, click here to donate or click here to learn more about volunteering. To support the Thanksgiving distribution, donate online and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Greg and Pam Sands Foundation until Thursday.

Spirit of the season

Less than a week after supporting Feeding South Dakota, the Knife River team continues its community involvement with a float in the annual Parade of Lights in downtown Sioux Falls, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday along Phillips Avenue.

“As soon as Feeding South Dakota’s distribution is over, we clean up the tables and chairs and pull the float in and start working on it for the next several days,” Schilling said, adding this year’s float will be designed around community pride.

“Our theme this year centers around symbols in Sioux Falls people will immediately recognize.”

Then, mark your calendar for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience when the Ellis & Eastern Santa Train heads east. The popular train arrives Sunday and stops in four Minnesota communities: Rushmore, Adrian, Magnolia and Luverne.

Santa Train photos courtesy Rock County Star Herald

After becoming a tradition decades ago, the annual train starting rolling again three years ago and is gaining a loyal following.

“Anybody can come, and the cities have goodies and things to do along the way,” said Eric Berning, supervisor of track maintenance, who helps coordinate the Santa Train. “Some families even enjoy following the train to the different stops.”

At each stop, kids can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, share letters and enjoy treats.

Here’s a look at when the train will be stopping:

At the end of the line in Luverne, expect a community celebration, including fireworks as holiday lights are turned on at the city park.

“We roll into town at 4:30 p.m., so it’s starting to get dark, and it’s a good time to take pictures next to the engines because we’ve got them lit up and there’s a sleigh on there with trees on it and a big wreath,” Berning said. “Every year, we keep building on it.”

For Knife River, these ways of celebrating the holidays reflect a broader commitment to the communities it serves.

“Our work truly helps build communities from the ground up, but these are ways that demonstrate we want to support quality of life here too,” president Clark Meyer said.

 

“Whether our teams are giving back or helping families make memories, these are rewarding ways for us to show we’re committed to the places we call home.”