Today, Senator George McGovern announced a food drive benefiting Feeding South Dakota to be held in conjunction with McGovern Day.

“In times of pressing need – whether your family has been recently displaced by flooding or your paycheck just isn’t covering the rising cost of food – Feeding South Dakota is our state’s first responder in the fight against hunger,” McGovern said on a tour of the facility. “I am proud to announce this food drive to help Feeding South Dakota win the fight against hunger across our state.”

As higher gas and food costs make it more difficult for South Dakotans to feed their families, Feeding South Dakota faces increased demand at the same time state and federal governments are cutting nutrition assistance programs. More families seek emergency food assistance, more at-risk children require weekend backpacks of food, and more of South Dakota’s seniors need supplemental food boxes.

McGovern, an elder statesman, former US Senator, and Democratic presidential nominee, continues to dedicate his public service to the fight against world hunger. He was the appointed the first director of the Food for Peace program under President John F. Kennedy and named the first United Nations global ambassador on hunger in 2001.

His tour of Feeding South Dakota coincides with the South Dakota Democratic Party’s annual McGovern Day on June 4, 2011.

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