About Us
Mission Statement
"To serve our neighbors by easing food insecurity."
Our History
RWEFP Quick Facts
We served close to 500 clients a month in 2021.
Over 300 students receive weekend food through the Backpack Program.
Over 80 tons of food was distributed in 2021 (which equals the weight of an African elephant every month!).
Our mobile unit serves Fairmount, Lidgerwood, Rothsay and Foxhome once per month.
We operate with only one part-time paid employee and over 30 volunteers.
Funding comes from grants, business donations and donations from individuals.
The Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry, Inc. was established in 1983 with the purpose of filling the growing need for emergency food assistance in Richland County, North Dakota and Wilkin County, Minnesota. The local Ministerial Association coordinated the organization.
The original location of the Food Pantry was Evergreen United Methodist Church in Wahpeton, ND. Growth of the Pantry demanded more space and in 1986 the pantry was moved to a property owned by St Mary’s Catholic Parish in Breckenridge, MN. After outgrowing its space again, the Pantry moved in 1991 to the North Dakota State College of Science Campus in Wahpeton, ND. In July 2001, NDSCS could no longer maintain the building used by the Food Pantry, so the Pantry was forced to relocate.
Several options were considered, and it was decided to purchase a larger building which would allow for future growth. The RW Food Pantry moved into its current location at 699 8th Avenue South in Wahpeton on October 1, 2001.
Plans began in 2018 for the building of a new RW Food Pantry building. The warehouse building was failing and adequate and safe storage of food products was needed. In 2021 the decision was made to tear down the warehouse building and to add on to the current building. The construction process has begun and will be complete in 2023. This construction will allow us to house all our programs in one location.
The Food for Kids Backpack Program was piloted in 2012 in the Breckenridge and Fairmount Schools. The RW Food Pantry coordinates the program. The Backpack Program has expanded and now serves schools throughout Richland and Wilkin Counties. Bags of non-perishable foods are sent home with grade school students weekly.
Funding for the Mobile Food Pantry trailer was acquired in 2021 and a specially built trailer was constructed and outfitted with shelving, a refrigerator, freezer and generator. The Mobile Food Pantry first hit the road in late 2021 and is serving four rural communities on a monthly basis.
Until 2015, the pantry was staffed exclusively by volunteers. At that time, a part-time coordinator was hired by the board of directors. Currently the only paid staff member is the part-time coordinator. The Pantry relies on volunteers to fill all the needed jobs to operate.
Board of Directors
Chair - Sandy Thiele
Vice-Chair - Laurie Drewlow
Secretary - Ruth Johnson
Treasurer - Velma Bjorgum
Coordinator - Sharon Bladow
Members - Peder Anderson
Carin Kassa
Cheri Jahner
Jan Halvorson
Diana Freese
Pastor
Rich England