FORT TOTTEN, N.D. — A student on the Spirit Lake Reservation in northeast North Dakota has launched a food pantry to address hunger in his community and the surrounding area.
Patrick Schmid, a Candeska Cikana Community College student in Fort Totten, said the food pantries outside the city aren't easy for everyone to get to.
"They struggle. There's a lot of poverty," said Patrick Schmid. "A lot of people don't have transportation. So for anyone to go that distance in the winter time, it's not feasible."
The social work major came up with a solution in class: a food pantry to fill the gaps, and he's set up a space in the college for their operations.
Everything from canned food to fresh produce will be on-hand and available to anyone regardless of tribal affiliation.
He hopes grants will cover start-up costs. A trial run helped nearly 280 families and the pantry will open this spring.
"We're going to open it up to all people. Hunger really doesn't have a face," said Schmid.
