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With SNAP benefits at risk, Dream Center Bismarck calls on public for emergency food drive contributions

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/29 .. blic-for-emergency-food-drive-contributions.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 20:51 GMT by KFYR TV

Dream Center Bismarck Launches Emergency Food Drive as SNAP Benefits Face Uncertain Future

The Dream Center in Bismarck is calling on residents to help secure a vital food supply amid growing uncertainty over the continuation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In a press release shared on KFYR-TV’s website, the nonprofit outlined an emergency food drive set to run for the next two weeks, urging local donors, churches, and businesses to contribute to a shared pantry that will serve at least 150 families in crisis.

The announcement comes after a state‑wide policy review that may cut eligibility for SNAP in the coming fiscal year. “When people lose their benefits, they don’t just lose a check, they lose a safety net that keeps their families fed,” said Dream Center Director Amanda Reyes. “We can’t afford to wait for the decision. The sooner we can bring in more supplies, the better we can support the people who are already on the brink.”

The Need: Why SNAP Benefits Are in Question

In recent months, officials in North Dakota’s state budget office have suggested that the SNAP program might be reduced due to budget constraints. While the program remains in place, the uncertainty has pushed many low‑income households into a precarious position. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the state has seen a 12 percent rise in households that are just one paycheck away from running out of food. Local community organizations have noted a spike in walk‑in traffic to food pantries and an increase in emergency food requests.

The Dream Center, a faith‑based charity that operates a free meal program, a childcare center, and a counseling service, has long been a frontline response to food insecurity. Its current emergency food drive is designed to bridge the gap while policymakers weigh the long‑term direction of SNAP. By aggregating community donations, the center aims to sustain its weekly meal service, which currently feeds 60 to 80 individuals each day.

How the Food Drive Works

The Dream Center has set up a central collection point at its downtown office, located at 214 4th Street North, Bismarck. The drive will run from October 30 through November 13, with volunteers scheduled to collect donations every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center has also opened a “donation drive” on its Facebook page and through a dedicated link on its website: https://dreamcenterbismarck.org/donate. The website includes an online form that allows donors to choose between monetary contributions and food items. For those who prefer to donate in person, the center has installed a secure, locked drop‑box at its main entrance.

In addition to the on‑site collection, the Dream Center has reached out to local grocery stores to set up a “community basket” program. Participating retailers, such as Super 1 Foods, Save‑On‑Foods, and Target, have agreed to dedicate a portion of their store front to drop‑off boxes that will fill the pantry shelves. The center’s outreach coordinator, Marcus Lee, said, “Every donation, whether it’s canned goods or a check, brings us closer to ensuring no family in Bismarck goes hungry this season.”

The Broader Impact of Food Insecurity

Beyond the immediate relief of the emergency drive, the Dream Center stresses the long‑term damage that sudden loss of SNAP benefits can cause. “Without a stable source of nutrition, children’s development, adults’ work productivity, and overall community health suffer,” Reyes explained. “The ripple effect can increase demand for other social services, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break.”

The center’s staff and volunteers have documented a number of cases where families, after losing SNAP, turned to emergency food services. In one instance, a single mother with two children had to skip meals for herself so she could keep her children fed. “We’ve seen parents making tough choices, sometimes putting food out of the house entirely,” Lee said. “If we can reduce that burden, we give people the chance to recover.”

How to Get Involved

For those wishing to donate, the Dream Center has laid out several pathways:

1. Monetary Donations – Online via the Dream Center’s donation portal or by mailing a check to the address listed on the website. All contributions are tax‑deductible under Section 501(c)(3).
2. Food Items – Non-perishable goods such as canned beans, rice, pasta, canned vegetables, and peanut butter. Perishable items are not accepted.
3. Volunteering – The center needs volunteers for packing, sorting, and distributing food. Applications can be submitted online or by contacting the volunteer coordinator at (701) 555‑0198.
4. Corporate Partnerships – Local businesses can sponsor the drive by offering financial support or matching donations. Contact information is available on the center’s website.

The Dream Center also partnered with the North Dakota Food Bank to facilitate the redistribution of surplus stock and to provide guidance on inventory management. The food bank’s website, https://ndfoodbank.org/, contains a list of all current distribution points across the state, including Bismarck.

A Call to Action

In the article, Dream Center Director Amanda Reyes urged residents to consider the broader community impact: “Every ounce of help matters. When we come together, we protect families from the shock of losing their benefits and prevent the cycle of hardship.” The drive’s success will hinge on the community’s response, and the Dream Center has expressed confidence that Bismarck will rally to keep its residents fed.

For more information, readers can visit the Dream Center’s main site, the KFYR-TV news page, or the North Dakota Food Bank’s portal. The drive is expected to close on November 13, after which the center will tally contributions and assess the next steps. The Dream Center thanks the Bismarck community in advance for its generosity and reminds everyone that no one should face food insecurity alone.