Oglala Sioux Church Feeds Community Through Partnership 

   By Partnership

Food on the table is a basic human right – one not easily accessible for 1 in 4 Native families. Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA) offers food deliveries to our Program Partners through the Food Pantry service of our Native American Aid (NAA) program. Thanks to the Pantry service, Partners like Louella quickly distribute food to members of the community most in need. 

Louella runs a food pantry through Our Lady of the Sioux Church in Oglala, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation. She offers food bags twice a week, serving an average of 20 households each distribution. Commenting on the recipients, Louella said, “They’re always pretty happy.” Louella often runs out of pantry supplies between NAA shipments and must stretch the food bags as far as possible. 

The church doesn’t have the resources to deliver food, so recipients like 44-year-old Doyle have to walk. Currently on the job hunt, Doyle refers to himself as a “Jack of all trades.” He applied to be a day laborer but said there weren’t enough openings in the program. With a scarce job market and no personal transportation, finding work is a challenge.  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Native Americans have a higher unemployment rate and lower labor force participation than the overall U.S. population. Some of this can be attributed to the remoteness of reservations and the lack of resources available.  

Another setback for Doyle happened last year when his home was vandalized, and his windows broken. He covered the holes with plastic and has been waiting for months to receive help from the federally funded Homeowner Assistance Fund. Unfortunately, Doyle said the program lacks sufficient resources to be of any real help. At times, his home is so cold that he must sleep at a family member’s house. 

Despite the challenges of living on the reservation, Doyle’s favorite thing is the people in his community. He knows the church pantry will be there when he’s in need. Doyle shared this message to NAA donors: “It feels good that [the pantry] is for anybody who is in need. Thank you. Thanks for helping!” 

Another pantry beneficiary is 59-year-old Greg who works various odd jobs, like making crosses for the cemetery. Each week, he picks up food bags for him and his wife, and he told us, “Keep on coming and bringing us food; this helps us out.” Greg especially likes the self-heating meals that the pantry receives from NAA. 

49-year-old Donroy is between jobs but previously worked as a cook for 19 years. He’s at the church every week to help provide for four children ages 3 years old to 9 years old. Donroy and the four other adults at home are all job searching. Fortunately, Donroy receives help from EBT, SNAP, and LIHEAP – federal food and energy assistance programs.  

Keeping warm at home can be a challenge, especially with propane. Donroy noted that propane can freeze or simply run out during the winter. When that happens, the family uses space heaters, which are costly to run. 

Born in Oglala, Donroy hasn’t seen many changes over the years, but he wishes the community had more resources for housing, employment, and food. There is one gas station and a small mercantile store in the area, but Donroy told us, “They don’t offer too much.” He appreciates picking up items like bottled water and canned goods from the food pantry. Donroy shared, “[The pantry] helps the people, especially during hard times. You can always come here and get food.” 

NAA provides essential supplies to our Program Partners that help feed Tribal communities no matter what obstacles they face. Donate to NAA today.