TAKE ACTION: NO STUDENT SHOULD GO WITHOUT FOOD
Because of the federal shutdown, November SNAP benefits will likely be delayed or interrupted. The impact will be felt deeply by students across the Oceti Sakowin and South Dakota.
Hunger is preventable. Meeting basic needs is the foundation for learning and well-being. This moment calls for shared responsibility and clear coordination across Tribal, federal, and state education systems.
We look to Tribal Nations, the Bureau of Indian Education, the South Dakota Department of Education, and district superintendents across all school types to take immediate steps to ensure every student has dependable access to meals, including:
- Expand school meal service during the shutdown, including evening meals where possible
- Stand up grab-and-go meal sites at schools and community hubs so students can access food close to home
- Coordinate across Tribal, state, and federal systems to share staff, facilities, transportation, and food supplies
- Partner with Tribal food sovereignty programs, local farms, food banks, and nonprofits to expand access and provide meals
- Guarantee no student is turned away or denied meals due to paperwork or meal debt
- Communicate clearly through schools and Tribal Nations so families know where to go, and provide transportation support where needed
This is a call for coordinated responsibility rooted in treaty, duty, and our shared commitment to the well-being of our children.
Send a letter urging our education leaders to work together for the health and well-being of our students.
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Rapid City, SD