Dakota Credit Unions “Border Battle” Gaining Momentum!

​Join us as we partner with ND Great Plains Food Bank and Feeding SD to restock local food pantries with a bonus “kicker” for the winner of the championship football game! 

For those who are already engaged with our “Border Battle to Tackle Hunger,” we are thrilled to announce that as of this morning, we have collected enough food and cash donations to provide more than 33,000 meals for those who need it most! Most notably, Oahe Federal Credit Union’s board of directors generously approved a $5,000 donation to boost South Dakota’s numbers! We would certainly like to see more of these “big numbers” come in to boost our totals!
 
For those who are “new to the game,” details are outlined below!
 
WHO: All Dakota Credit Unions, staff, and members!
 
WHAT: A “border battle” friendly food drive competition between North and South Dakota credit unions to collect the most food items and cash donations to “restock” food pantries in both states in partnership with the Great Plains Food Bank (ND) and Feeding South Dakota.
 
WHY: The timing of this is critical! According to the food provider organizations, there is a huge need right now in the Dakotas for both food and money to support individuals and families who are experiencing hardships. We will maximize publicity by using the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) final game between the NDSU Bison and the SDSU Jackrabbits to help build excitement and engagement on this campaign. This is a rare opportunity when both states’ NCAA FCS universities are in the championship game!
 
HOW: We are asking ALL Dakota credit unions to back this, and to mobilize quickly to get staff and members involved. This campaign ultimately benefits Dakotans in need and will bring attention to local credit unions and the “people helping people” philosophy. DakCU will be promoting via social media, and through press releases during and after the “Border Battle.” Please amplify the “Border Battle” by sharing on your own social media channels and with your media contacts.
 
DakCU has flyers available for credit unions to display at collection points to help promote this campaign.
Click here to download a printable version!
 
On January 6, 2023, by 4:00 p.m. local time, participating credit unions should report their estimated FINAL TOTAL of pounds of food collected and cash donations to Paige Langhoff. If final numbers are NOT reported DakCU will use the most recent numbers provided by the credit union. Announcement of the winner of the “Border Battle” will be made on social media by noon on Saturday, January 7.
 
WHEN: The campaign runs through Friday, January 6. We are asking participating credit unions to track their cash donations and food items by estimated pounds – and report both to Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) the running TOTAL collected by 4 p.m. local time each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Updates of food drive progress/standings will be posted periodically on DakCU social media – Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter; this is why regular updates are needed.
 
SOUTH DAKOTA: Credit unions in Sioux Falls, Pierre, and Rapid City may have the option of local pick up by Feeding South Dakota between January 9 – 13. All other locations can deliver to their local food pantry partnered with Feeding South Dakota. For a complete list, please click here and enter your city or zip code to find your nearest food pantry. For monetary donations that have been dropped off in your branch(es), please send directly to Feeding South Dakota: 4701 N Westport Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57107.
 
NORTH DAKOTA: Please deliver your donations to your nearest Great Plains Food Bank partner food pantry or GPFB warehouse, which you can find here. Please note, the branch locations in blue in Bismarck or Fargo are being asked to deliver food items directly to GPFB warehouses in those respective cities. For monetary donations that have been dropped off in your branch(es), please send directly to Great Plains Food Bank in Bismarck or Fargo: 1720 3rd Ave. N, Fargo, ND 58102 OR 1315 South 20th Street, Bismarck, ND 58504
 
CASH DONATIONS: If your credit union wishes to participate with a monetary donation, you are able to 1) write a check out to Dakota Credit Union Association and mail to us – and DakCU will cut one ‘lump sum’ check to each state’s food bank/pantry. Or 2) use our secure online donation form and submit online while choosing which state you would like to support.
 
WINNERS RECEIVE:
Following a formula (provided by Feeding South Dakota and Great Plains Food Bank) for both cash and food items donated that equates to “meals provided,” DakCU will track and calculate the final results.
 
The “most meals provided” per state will be the “winner” of our “Border Battle.”
Each $1 donation = 3 meals. Each 1.2 pounds of foods donated = 1 meal.
 
The Dakota Credit Union Foundation will donate $1,500 to the state food pantry that contributes the MOST MEALS.
 
The Dakota Credit Union Foundation will also donate $1,500 to the state food pantry that WINS the FCS final game.
 
Dakota credit unions have a long history of stepping up whenever and wherever we are needed. Let’s have some fun with this friendly competition and restock Dakota food pantries during this critical time.