RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – RF Buche says about 1 in 5 people in South Dakota experience food insecurity, and roughly 40% of those impacted are children.
“We just try and be a voice for those who don’t have a voice,” Buche said. “There’s really not anyone out there that’s concentrating on rural communities and tribal communities, and that’s exactly what we want to try and do.”
To raise money for food-access efforts, Buche hosted an exclusive, one-day guided pheasant hunt in Dallas, South Dakota, bringing together local organizers and players from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Organizers said 100% of the proceeds will support Team Buche Cares, which provides holiday meals for South Dakotans in need.
One Steelers player, Zachary Frazier, said he wanted to support the cause after learning the money would address food needs on reservations.
“Mason, being from South Dakota, He kind of told me about the event, told me why they do it — for the food insecurities on the reservations,” Zach said. “Mixing hunting and a good cause, it’s a pretty cool event.”
South Dakota native Mason McCormick, a guard for the Steelers, also attended and said he did not realize the scope of the problem while growing up in the state.
“I didn’t personally realize how much food insecurity there was in South Dakota growing up,” McCormick said. “When I became aware, it was awesome to be able to come out here, do something like this, and be a small part of RF’s mission.”
Advocates say the problem can be especially acute outside South Dakota’s population centers, where long distances and limited transportation make it harder to reach grocery stores. Buche said some families may live about 45 miles from the nearest store, and paying for a ride can mean sacrificing other necessities.
“You might have people out here that have 45 miles to a grocery store,” Buche said. “Getting to the grocery store with no transportation — having to spend 25 bucks to give somebody a ride — could go towards food or diapers or things like that. What we’re trying to do is get the food right out to them.”
If you want to get involved, you can contact the Team Buche on their website, teambuchecares.org
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