Feeding Brookings provides boxes of food to those in need every Thursday from 3-5 p.m.
Who qualifies?
Some of our food items do have income requirements (see more info below), but everyone who is in need will receive some items. You can come every Thursday (no limit on number of times per year you can get a box). Every household who gets the TEFAP items must fill out a form once a year (June 1 - June 30). Filling out the online weekly registration form fulfills this.
If you can use a box, drive up to Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD any Thursday 3-5pm. We will give you a box of food. Friends or neighbors may pick up for you if do not have a vehicle (required paperwork is linked below).
Click the "Weekly Registration Tab" each week to register when you come! We can also sign you in this way ourselves when you come. So in short: you can just show up Thursday between 3 & 5pm and we will provide you with food.
Contact info:
To volunteer, see our Signup Genius: Sign up here!
Our general email is [email protected]. You may also email Bill with questions about volunteering at [email protected].
See news on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/feedingbrookings/
Feeding Brookings has a new information phone line: 605 697 0477. We will also update that message if there is a snow day.
Our Mission
2024_feeding_brookings_annual_report_final_-_public.pdfFollowing the example of Jesus when feeding the crowd with just 5 loaves and 2 fish, this ministry’s goal is to feed the hungry of the Brookings area through a weekly grocery distribution.
Who are we?
We are a non-profit giving out groceries every Thursday in Brookings.
We began in 2010 as a mission of Ascension Lutheran Church. All helpers are volunteers.
Where are we?
Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings. 2030 3rd St.
Please drive up and join the line of cars.
Who is served?
All in need are welcome. Please come visit us if you can use the groceries.
We do ask our guests to complete one form each year at the request of the government TEFAP program, which has an income requirement. If you make above the poverty guidelines set forth by the government, you are still able to receive other food items.
If you cannot come yourself, you may have another person pick up for you. BATA public transit does do a limited number of deliveries each week. Call them at 692-2222 early in the week.
Income Levels:
The TEFAP food does have income requirements. (These are some but not all of our items). Those requirements (current as of summer 2025) are available here. Filling out the weekly registration form will meet the requirements of agreeing that you are below the income thresholds for the TEFAP program.
We also have a Spanish version
If you pick up a box containing TEFAP items for someone else, you and they must fill out a proxy form.
What food do we have for you and where do we get it?
Each week we usually have have some canned food (vegetables and meat), fresh produce including bananas, meat, a milk coupon (for Hy-Vee), bread, and toilet paper. We try our best to have seasonal produce.
We receive food from TEFAP (government program), Feeding South Dakota, Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart, and local individuals and organizations.
When in season, we receive produce from local people's gardens. We purchase other items such as bananas from Kwik Star and we are able to purchase food (such as apples and hamburger) from Feeding South Dakota. Dakota Layers is our egg supplier.
We also receive food donations from places like Bel Brands, KFC, Kwik Star, Star Bucks, Hy-Vee, and Wal-Mart.
This may not be a comprehensive list.
Through Feeding SD and other organizations, we often can access deals that individuals cannot, so we can usually stretch a dollar further than an individual can. For that reason, and because perishable items are the most in-demand from our guests, we do encourage people to donate money for us (though we do also appreciate donations of food items).
How can you help?
See the Volunteering tab to volunteer. We could not do this every week without volunteers!
To donate, go to the Donation tab. It looks like a donation to Ascension Lutheran Church but you can designate it to Feeding Brookings. The money will only be used to buy food for Feeding Brookings. When you get to the "Confirm Gift" page, you choose "Special Designation" and choose "Feeding Brookings."
Planting a garden this spring? Plant a little extra for us! Our guests love receiving fresh produce.
What do donations buy?
Feeding Brookings is run by volunteers. Nearly all of your donation will be spent on food. We buy bananas, milk coupons, and eggs every week. Through Feeding America, we can purchase food such as apples and hamburger at special low prices, so we can make a dollar go further than at a grocery store. We regularly purchase toilet paper and other hygiene items.
Annual Report:
Click here for our 2024 Annual Report
Monthly Numbers:
In October 2025, we averaged over 440 households per week. On October 30th, we served 514 households.
Non-Discrimination:
Feeding Brookings is an equal opportunity provider. For the longer non-discrimination statement, click here.
Who are we?
We are a non-profit giving out groceries every Thursday in Brookings.
We began in 2010 as a mission of Ascension Lutheran Church. All helpers are volunteers.
Where are we?
Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings. 2030 3rd St.
Please drive up and join the line of cars.
Who is served?
All in need are welcome. Please come visit us if you can use the groceries.
We do ask our guests to complete one form each year at the request of the government TEFAP program, which has an income requirement. If you make above the poverty guidelines set forth by the government, you are still able to receive other food items.
If you cannot come yourself, you may have another person pick up for you. BATA public transit does do a limited number of deliveries each week. Call them at 692-2222 early in the week.
Income Levels:
The TEFAP food does have income requirements. (These are some but not all of our items). Those requirements (current as of summer 2025) are available here. Filling out the weekly registration form will meet the requirements of agreeing that you are below the income thresholds for the TEFAP program.
We also have a Spanish version
If you pick up a box containing TEFAP items for someone else, you and they must fill out a proxy form.
What food do we have for you and where do we get it?
Each week we usually have have some canned food (vegetables and meat), fresh produce including bananas, meat, a milk coupon (for Hy-Vee), bread, and toilet paper. We try our best to have seasonal produce.
We receive food from TEFAP (government program), Feeding South Dakota, Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart, and local individuals and organizations.
When in season, we receive produce from local people's gardens. We purchase other items such as bananas from Kwik Star and we are able to purchase food (such as apples and hamburger) from Feeding South Dakota. Dakota Layers is our egg supplier.
We also receive food donations from places like Bel Brands, KFC, Kwik Star, Star Bucks, Hy-Vee, and Wal-Mart.
This may not be a comprehensive list.
Through Feeding SD and other organizations, we often can access deals that individuals cannot, so we can usually stretch a dollar further than an individual can. For that reason, and because perishable items are the most in-demand from our guests, we do encourage people to donate money for us (though we do also appreciate donations of food items).
How can you help?
See the Volunteering tab to volunteer. We could not do this every week without volunteers!
To donate, go to the Donation tab. It looks like a donation to Ascension Lutheran Church but you can designate it to Feeding Brookings. The money will only be used to buy food for Feeding Brookings. When you get to the "Confirm Gift" page, you choose "Special Designation" and choose "Feeding Brookings."
Planting a garden this spring? Plant a little extra for us! Our guests love receiving fresh produce.
What do donations buy?
Feeding Brookings is run by volunteers. Nearly all of your donation will be spent on food. We buy bananas, milk coupons, and eggs every week. Through Feeding America, we can purchase food such as apples and hamburger at special low prices, so we can make a dollar go further than at a grocery store. We regularly purchase toilet paper and other hygiene items.
Annual Report:
Click here for our 2024 Annual Report
Monthly Numbers:
In October 2025, we averaged over 440 households per week. On October 30th, we served 514 households.
Non-Discrimination:
Feeding Brookings is an equal opportunity provider. For the longer non-discrimination statement, click here.
What do Feeding Brookings recipients have to say about us? Click the "testimonials button" below to see!
