Gate City Bank team member stacking boxes for West Fargo Eats beside truck in West Fargo, ND

A First [Ever] Hunger Relief Initiative in West Fargo.

No one should have to go hungry. That’s why we partnered with West Fargo Eats by initially donating more than $120,000 and deploying multiple team member volunteers to transform the once pop-up food pantry into a permanent hunger relief program in West Fargo, ND – the first of its kind in the community.

West Fargo Eats is largely made possible because of the Food Share Alliance, which is made up of Gate City Bank, Lutheran Church of the Cross, YWCA Cass Clay and Great Plains Food Bank. Each organization brings unique expertise to the table that helps ensure sustainability, For a Better Way of Life.®

“When individuals and families experience unexpected food insecurity, they are faced with impossible financial choices,” says Kevin Hanson, Gate City Bank President & CEO. “Through our support of West Fargo Eats, in the form of financial gifts and team member volunteer hours, we are giving families the help they need today for a better tomorrow.”

These community partners are helping to ensure that the West Fargo Eats food pantry maintains three days’ worth of:

outdoor ribbon cutting event at West Fargo Eats location

  • Canned goods
  • Cereal
  • Rice
  • Noodles
  • Bread
  • Dairy products
  • Protein/meat
a group of Gate City Bank team members wearing matching blue gather around a big check made out for $100K to West Fargo Eats

We're in the Fight
Against Hunger.

During a 2024 surprise-announcement event, we revealed our plans to commit an additional $100,000 to West Fargo Eats – a vital gift in terms of feeding more neighbors in need.

Learn More
$220K
Donated by Gate City Bank
500K
Pounds of Food Served
28K
Client Distributions Since 2021

Partnerships to Make the Difference.

The West Fargo Eats pop-up location started in May 2020, and we joined the Food Share Alliance in June 2021. We appreciate having been able to partner with Lutheran Church of the Cross, YWCA Cass Clay and Great Plains Food Bank to help the operation grow since its inception.

  • Lutheran Church of the Cross

    The church committed 2.5% of its capital campaign for ongoing funding, along with the physical space for the new permanent food relief program and the volunteers who drive it.

  • YWCA Cass Clay

    This nonprofit has been a key partner in the West Fargo Eats initiative, not only in connecting community members who need food and support, but working with us to build transitional housing in 2010, an economic enrichment wing in 2015 and Grace Garden women’s supportive housing in 2017.

  • Great Plains Food Bank

    We have a longstanding partnership with this wonderful organization, which plays a key role in supporting hunger relief throughout the region.

The Growing Need for a Hunger Relief Program in West Fargo.

Increased demand for local emergency food supplies in recent years has made the need for a permanent hunger-relief program evident. The West Fargo Eats pop-up food pantry responded to community needs by operating out of the back of a refrigerated truck in the Lutheran Church of the Cross parking lot on Friday afternoons. During summer 2020, the pantry fed nearly 3,500 people with 55,000 pounds of food.

two Gate City Bank team members making an impact with West Fargo EatsThere was a day when West Fargo Eats served 767 people in 90 minutes. With increasing demand, organizers knew they needed to do more. The new permanent operation is now open, located at the current Lutheran Church of the Cross property in West Fargo.

The more than $220,000 Gate City Bank has donated has gone toward design, construction, furnishing and multiple other costs for the permanent food pantry, which opened its doors on October 25, 2021. To date, West Fargo Eats has served 500,000 pounds of food and facilitated 28,000 client distributions, and it's operated almost entirely by volunteers.

“As we work to create hunger-free communities in North Dakota, it’s important to remember that solving this crisis is about much more than ending a hungry feeling because someone missed a meal. It’s about creating the possibility for someone to have a better future.”
Melissa Sobolik professional headshot
Melissa Sobolik
CEO of Great Plains Food Bank
“We joined to bring differing expertise – faith, the social sector and business – to address a community issue. Now we’re united heart and hands in this mission.”
Erin Prochnow professional headshot
Erin Prochnow
CEO of YWCA Cass Clay
“The need was even more significant than we anticipated. While we knew our efforts were helping, we believed an even greater impact could be made if we offered a permanent solution.”
Rev. Joel Baranko headshot
Rev. Joel Baranko
Lead Pastor at Lutheran Church of the Cross

Other Examples of Community Assistance:

Group of Gate City Bank volunteers take photo in front of Great Plains Food Bank truck, serving ND and MN

Great Plains Food Bank

At Gate City Bank, we’re honored to partner with Great Plains Food Bank. See how we’re helping improve food security in the region, while creating a better life for community members in need.

YWCA team members and Gate City Bank volunteers on a sunny day, working together to help women and children in Fargo Moorhead

YWCA

For over 20 years, Gate City Bank and YWCA Cass Clay have joined up to provide safety, warmth and hope to those who need it most – a better way of life, especially for women and children.

two Gate City Bank women volunteers smile while helping Emergency Food Pantry

Emergency Food Pantry

No one should have to go hungry or experience food insecurity. Learn more about how we’re partnering with Emergency Food Pantry to provide hunger relief in our communities.

Giggling girl surrounded by red heart-shaped confetti, celebrating Giving Hearts Day in Fargo, ND

Giving Hearts Day

Since 2014, we’ve been honored to partner with Dakota Medical Foundation – donating countless volunteer hours and dollars to benefit local charities across North Dakota and Minnesota.