past winners: Minn-Dak region

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2024 | 2023

2024 Winner: Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry

The Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry (RWEFP) recently received $10,000 from ACH Seeds’ 2024 Homegrown Giving program, providing crucial support to local community members in need. This generous donation will enhance the pantry’s ability to serve its community and address rising food insecurity.

Operating across two counties in North Dakota and Minnesota, the RWEFP is a lifeline for more than 900 clients each month. Last year, the pantry distributed an impressive 160,000 pounds of food. Their impact is far-reaching, supporting initiatives like its backpack program and mobile food pantry. The backpack program delivers essential food items to over 370 students from kindergarten through sixth grade each weekend during the school year. Inspired by the needs of a rural elderly man, the pantry launched a mobile unit four years ago to reach those who face transportation challenges.

mdfc check presentation
ACH Seeds central region manager Jake Boersma presents the check to Sharon Bladow, coordinator for the RWEFP, and Laurie Drewlow, volunteer and sugarbeet grower.
rwefp volunteer
A volunteer helps to stock the pantry's shelves with cans for the more than 900 clients that visit each month.
rwefp mobile pantry
The mobile unit, a retrofitted fish house, now serves 53 clients in four communities, making monthly trips to the most underserved areas.

Congratulations to the Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry

Watch the short video to learn more about this amazing organization!

Hear from the Winner

ACH Seeds’ commitment makes a real difference for senior citizens, families with children and the community as a whole. Their support helps us keep everyone healthy and strong. We couldn’t do it without generous donors like ACH Seeds.

Laurie Drewlow Volunteer for RWEFP and Sugarbeet Grower
laurie drewlow

2023 Winner: West Central Area Schools FFA!

The produce grown in the greenhouse will be donated to local Grant County food shelves to provide citizens with nutritious food. With the donation from ACH Seeds, WCA plans to purchase tools and equipment to support food processing, storage and handling. The money will also help WCA expand their school’s agriculture program curriculum to include education in food science, focusing on both processing and preservation. WCA plans to combine education, food production and processing to create more sustainable and resilient food systems in Grant County.

West Central Area Schools FFA!
West Central Area Schools FFA holding their $10,000 check.
West Central Area Schools FFA
West Central Area Schools FFA
West Central Area Schools FFA

Quote

I knew there was a deep root of support that hadn’t been tapped before. The Homegrown Giving award is another testament to the support this agricultural community has provided our FFA chapter and ag education program. We are thankful for the opportunity ACH Seeds has provided us.

Eric Sawatzke WCA agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor

Every Award Winner Has a Different Story

Watch to learn more about the 2023 Homegrown Giving Award Winner for the Minn-Dak Region.