A First [Ever] Hunger Relief Partnership in West Fargo

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:

• Canned goods
• Cereal
• Rice
• Noodles
• Bread
• Dairy products
• Protein/meat

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.

There 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 $120,000 Gate City Bank donated has gone toward design, construction and furnishing costs for the new permanent food pantry, which opened its doors on October 25, 2021. To date, West Fargo Eats has served 150,000 pounds of food to more than 13,000 people, and it’s operated entirely by volunteers.