Free School Supplies and Backpacks for Single Mothers in South Dakota

Last updated: September 2025

This hub gathers the most reliable, current, South Dakota–specific ways to get free school supplies and backpacks for your kids, plus realistic backup plans if funding is tight or events have ended. You’ll find direct sign‑up links, phone numbers, and how things actually work on the ground in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, tribal communities, and rural counties. Keep this page open while you call or apply so you don’t miss a step.

Reality Check — funding and timing

Most backpack giveaways run late July through mid‑August, and spots fill fast. Sign up as soon as registration opens, and always create a Plan B with your school social worker and 211. Programs like Project: S.O.S. (Sioux Falls) and tribal distributions such as the Cheyenne River Youth Project School Supplies Distribution reach thousands, but they do close when they run out of supplies. Confirm dates, bring the right documents, and be early on distribution day. (thebanquetsf.org)

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If You Only Do 3 Things — Emergency Actions to Take

• Confirm the closest backpack pickup this month: Check sign‑ups and distribution dates for Project: S.O.S. in Sioux Falls and Rapid City events like the Indigenous partners’ giveaways by NDN Collective and the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board. Arrive early; kids often must be present. (thebanquetsf.org)
• Call 211 right now for live help: Ask for “school supply giveaways near me,” plus food and gas‑card options to free up money for supplies. Dial 211 or 1‑605‑339‑4357 for Helpline Center support; you can also text your ZIP to 898211. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)
• If you still lack supplies by the first day: Contact your school’s McKinney‑Vento liaison for immediate supplies and fee waivers. Rapid City lists backpacks/supplies as a service; Sioux Falls posts liaison phone numbers online. Use your district page or call the front office to reach the liaison. Rapid City Area Schools McKinney‑Vento and Sioux Falls School District Homeless Education publish contacts and services. (rcas.org)

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Quick help — keep these 5 contacts handy

• South Dakota 211 Helpline: Dial 211 or 1‑605‑339‑4357 for statewide referrals to school supply events and food programs; browse the Helpline Center database if you prefer online search. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)
• Energy help during back‑to‑school: Call LIHEAP at 1‑800‑233‑8503 via the federal LIHEAP Clearinghouse and ask your utility about hardship plans like Black Hills Energy payment assistance to prevent shutoff while you cover school needs. (liheapch.acf.hhs.gov)
• WIC for children under 5: Call 1‑800‑738‑2301 to apply through the South Dakota Department of Health WIC, which can free up cash you’d spend on food. (doh.sd.gov)
• Public Utilities Commission consumer hotline: Call 1‑800‑332‑1782 if you face disconnection and your utility isn’t working with you; details live at the South Dakota PUC consumer page. (puc.sd.gov)
• Sioux Falls Project: S.O.S. line: Call 1‑605‑335‑7066 for The Banquet’s Project: S.O.S. backpack program details and pickup times. (thebanquetsf.org)

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What’s new in 2025 that affects back‑to‑school budgets

South Dakota’s 4.2% state sales tax is still in effect for school supplies and clothing, with no state sales‑tax holiday. The rate cut from 4.5% took effect July 1, 2023 and is scheduled to sunset June 30, 2027 unless lawmakers act; the Department of Revenue lists the current rate and explains local add‑ons. See Sales & Use Tax and the 2023 legislative notes on the sunset. Also note: there is no South Dakota sales‑tax holiday in 2025 per the Federation of Tax Administrators. (dor.sd.gov)

USDA’s new Summer EBT grocery benefit became permanent at $40pereligiblechildpermonth,butSouthDakotadidnotoperateSummerEBTin2025.Advocatesestimateabout57,000SDchildrencouldbenefitandroughly$6.84 million would flow to families if the state participates; see USDA estimates and a participation map. Check again each spring — states can opt in later. USDA estimates and the participation tracker SummerEBT.org show SD as “not participating” in 2025, and South Dakota advocates explain the stakes for families. (fns.usda.gov)

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The fastest free backpack and school‑supply options (statewide summary)

Start with the largest, most consistent distributions below. Each program lists who can receive, required registration, and where to go.

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask your school social worker to connect you to McKinney‑Vento or Title I supply closets, and call 211 to see if a nearby county has later events. In Sioux Falls and Rapid City, churches and businesses (for example, Wireless World’s backpack days and Salvation Army partner events) often add last‑minute giveaways. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)

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How to use your school district’s built‑in resources first

• McKinney‑Vento rights: If you’re doubled‑up with family/friends, in a motel, shelter, or otherwise without a “fixed, regular, adequate” place to sleep, your child has rights to immediate enrollment, free meals, transportation help, and supplies. Rapid City’s liaison lists “backpacks and school supplies” as a direct service; Sioux Falls lists liaison contacts by school cluster. Use your district’s homeless education page and call the liaison today. RCAS McKinney‑Vento and SFSD Homeless Education show contact numbers and services. (rcas.org)
• School meal paperwork still matters: Filling out the Free/Reduced‑Price Meal form can unlock other help, and many SD students qualify under USDA’s annual income limits (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026). If your school uses online forms, complete them on your phone or ask the nutrition office for a paper copy. See USDA’s 2025–2026 guidelines and the SD Department of Education’s School Nutrition Programs page for state info. (fns.usda.gov)
• Ask about universal breakfast or CEP: Some districts cover breakfast for all students or remove reduced‑price charges; district pages explain what’s covered and deadlines. Check your district’s nutrition page (Sioux Falls posts pricing and free/reduced info) and call the food service office to waive barriers. Sioux Falls Nutrition Services lists current prices and reduced‑price benefits. (sf.k12.sd.us)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Message your school social worker or counselor and put “supplies” in the subject line; ask for the school’s supply closet, Title I supports, or referral to local partners. If staff are away, leave a voicemail, then call 211 Helpline to find an event still taking registrations near you. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)

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City snapshots — where to go, how it works

Sioux Falls — where to get a backpack now

Start with Project: S.O.S. (The Banquet): register online for August 2025 dates (Aug 12, 14, 16) and pick up during assigned windows (Aug 21–22). Bring kids and simple ID (school or library card works) if asked. KELOLAND coverage confirms the program serves thousands each season; the Helpline Center listing also notes families outside Minnehaha can attend. (thebanquetsf.org)

Plan B: Check for business‑led giveaways like Wireless World’s backpack day and ask your school’s liaison from SFSD Homeless Education for an emergency supply kit if you missed event dates. (dakotanewsnow.com)

Rapid City / Black Hills — big weekend events

Watch for Indigenous‑led distributions supported by NDN Collective and Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board — both documented large Rapid City events in August 2025. The RCAS McKinney‑Vento office is also a direct path to supplies. (ndncollective.org)

Plan B: If public events have ended, call United Way of the Black Hills and ask for Black Hills Reads or supply‑drive partners, and contact your school’s counselor for surplus items. (unitedwayblackhills.org)

Brookings — scheduled, sign‑up‑based help

Register for the Family Back2School Project (Brookings Area United Way) — the event uses a “store” approach and posts deadlines and distribution windows. The Helpline Center confirms eligibility for families on free/reduced meals or those who still need help. (familyresources.helplinecenter.org)

Plan B: Ask your school office about leftover supply boxes and Title I funds; call 211 to see if nearby counties (e.g., Watertown) have later fairs like the ONEWatertown Back‑to‑School Fair. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)

Mitchell — backpack + shoe voucher if you register on time

The Love Feast of Mitchell Backpack Program offers a backpack of supplies and, if you enroll by the listed July deadline, a shoe voucher for Pre‑K–8 students. Apply via the Love Feast Facebook page or at the local Salvation Army office. The Helpline Center listing posts current dates and phone numbers. (helplinecenter.org)

Plan B: Use the Mitchell Weekend Snack Pack to free up grocery cash, and ask the school counselor for supply closet access. Local coverage shows wide community support for Snack Pack (district drives in early 2025). Mitchell Republic reporting confirms reach. (mitchellsnackpack.org)

Huron — drive‑through backpacks

Arrive early to BelieveFest at Faith Alive Community Church for K‑5 backpacks, drive‑through style while supplies last. For food on weekends, the United Way Heartland Region Backpack Program operates during the school year. (helplinecenter.org)

Plan B: Ask the Huron Salvation Army about weekend sack‑lunch sign‑ups and check your school office for last‑minute supply kits. The 211 listing shows phone and timing. Salvation Army weekend sacks (Huron) has details. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)

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Tribal‑specific resources you can use right now

• Cheyenne River Youth Project (Eagle Butte): CRYP hosts an annual School Supplies Distribution on campus and runs a long‑standing School Supplies Drive to fill student lists. Family Services membership (historically $30 per family per year) unlocks distributions for school supplies, winter gear, baby items, and holiday gifts; confirm current cost when you call. (lakotayouth.org)
• Rapid City Indigenous partners: Community events co‑hosted by NDN Collective and the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board give out backpacks and supplies; lines are long and supplies go quickly. (ndncollective.org)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Contact your district’s Title VI Indian Education program (via the district office) and your tribal education department; ask for supply closet access and tutoring slots. If you live far from events, call 211 to locate church or nonprofit pickups closer to your home. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)

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Statewide food and budget supports that free up dollars for supplies

• WIC (moms, infants, kids under 5): WIC updated income guidelines July 1, 2025. Call 1‑800‑738‑2301 or your local clinic to apply through the SD Department of Health; WIC can replace a chunk of your grocery bill while you buy shoes and supplies. (doh.sd.gov)
• Feeding South Dakota — BackPack and Mobile Food Distributions: The BackPack Program runs during the school year, with summer BackPack sites listed online. Use the Mobile Food Distribution finder to get a month’s box; that savings can cover a calculator and binder. (feedingsouthdakota.org)
• Summer meals: While Summer EBT was not operated by South Dakota in 2025, free summer meals through the Summer Food Service Program continue each June–August at approved sites. Check the site finder on DOE’s page. (doe.sd.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask your school about school pantry hours (some keep evening hours) and check 211’s database for smaller pantries that add “school shelf” items in August. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)

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How to Stop Utility Shutoff in South Dakota Today

Act the same day you get a disconnect notice. You can often buy time or get a hardship arrangement and keep service while you focus on back‑to‑school.

• Call your utility and ask for a payment plan plus medical or hardship flags: Black Hills Energy lists payment arrangements, budget billing, Black Hills Cares, and a Medical Extension program; see Black Hills Energy assistance options. Xcel Energy has bill‑credit pass‑throughs in 2025 and assistance program referrals; read the Xcel Energy SD bill credit update. (blackhillsenergy.com)
• Apply for LIHEAP (Energy Assistance) and tell your utility you applied: Call 1‑800‑233‑8503 and ask for South Dakota LIHEAP; the federal LIHEAP Clearinghouse state profile lists current contacts and eligibility updates. Document your case number so the utility notes “pending aid.” (liheapch.acf.hhs.gov)
• If the company won’t work with you, call the PUC: The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission consumer line is 1‑800‑332‑1782; you can also submit an informal complaint online. This can pause aggressive collection and force a review. South Dakota has limited disconnection protections (a 30‑day medical delay is available with a doctor’s note), so ask for a medical certification if applicable. Disconnect policy summary explains SD’s rules. (puc.sd.gov)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask 211 for a one‑time utility grant in your county and check your city church network. Then re‑submit a written hardship request to the utility and the PUC with your kid’s school enrollment letter and any medical letters attached. (puc.sd.gov)

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Eligibility, documents, and timelines — what to expect

• Eligibility: Most backpack drives serve K‑12 students who attend local schools. Some are open to any SD student, like Project: S.O.S. and many tribal events; others are limited by county or district (e.g., Brookings Back2School). Tribal programs can require a Family Services membership (CRYP). (thebanquetsf.org)
• Documents: Bring a simple child ID (student or library card) if requested; Project: S.O.S. posts typical examples. For WIC, bring ID, proof of address, and child’s immunization card; see DOH WIC update. (thebanquetsf.org)
• Timelines: Sioux Falls distributions run mid‑August with pickup the following week; Rapid City’s largest giveaways occur early‑to‑mid August; Brookings and Mitchell publish July sign‑up deadlines. Always confirm current year dates on the event page or by calling. Use Helpline Center’s database for last‑minute adds. (thebanquetsf.org)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask your school for a “first‑day essentials” pack and pencils, then return for the full list as supplies become available. If you missed a deadline, ask to be added to a waitlist and call 211 every few days for cancellations. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)

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Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting for a “perfect” event: Don’t skip a smaller local pickup because you hope for a larger one later. Use 211 to grab what’s available now, then top up at bigger city events like Project: S.O.S.. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)
• Not contacting your school: McKinney‑Vento and Title I can remove barriers fast. Rapid City and Sioux Falls liaisons list direct numbers — use them. See RCAS services and SFSD contacts. (rcas.org)
• Forgetting food help: Feeding programs free up cash for supplies. Use Feeding South Dakota’s BackPack and Mobile Distributions to stretch your budget. (feedingsouthdakota.org)

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Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

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Application Checklist — print or screenshot and check the boxes

• Child ID ready: Student/library card or school portal screen for Project: S.O.S. and similar events. (thebanquetsf.org)
• School supply list: Download your school’s 2025–26 list before events. District pages like Watertown SD supply list and Sioux Falls Nutrition & school info link to each school. (private-watertown.k12.sd.us)
• Transportation plan: For Rapid City’s big events, plan parking or bus routes; watch NDN Collective announcements and GPTLHB updates. (ndncollective.org)
• Backup food slots: Find a Feeding South Dakota mobile distribution or BackPack site to stretch your budget. (feedingsouthdakota.org)
• WIC appointment: Call 1‑800‑738‑2301 and note your clinic time using the DOH WIC update as your reference. (doh.sd.gov)
• Utility safety net: If behind on the bill, call Black Hills Energy or your provider and apply for LIHEAP at 1‑800‑233‑8503 per LIHEAP Clearinghouse. (blackhillsenergy.com)

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Regional resource directory (sample, not exhaustive)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Call 211 Helpline and ask the specialist to search “school supplies” + your ZIP. Ask for church events and United Way partners that may not be widely advertised. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)

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Diverse Communities — tailored pointers

• LGBTQ+ single mothers: Ask your school’s liaison to note that your household needs privacy and safety at events. Many school‑based closets and community partners will offer discreet pickup times. Pair a school supply plan with food help via Feeding South Dakota Mobile Distributions and confirm inclusive services through Helpline Center 211. (feedingsouthdakota.org)
• Single mothers with disabilities or disabled children: Request large‑print forms and accessible pickup; tribally led and school‑based programs can accommodate with notice. For statewide disability services, contact SD Department of Human Services, and ask 211 to filter for accessible events. (dhs.sd.gov)
• Veteran single mothers: Watch for military‑family events like Operation Homefront’s Back‑to‑School Brigade (varies by year); ask the base Family Readiness office. Pair that with public events in Rapid City (GPTLHB) or Sioux Falls (Project: S.O.S.). (newscenter1.tv)
• Immigrant and refugee single moms: Bring any ID you have; most backpack events do not require proof of immigration status. Use 211 for translation lines and ask your district if interpreters can meet you at distribution. District pages like SFSD Homeless Education list liaison cells you can text. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)
• Tribal‑specific resources: In the Black Hills, rely on Indigenous organizations such as NDN Collective and GPTLHB; on Cheyenne River, use CRYP. Ask your school’s Title VI office for in‑school supply closets and tutoring. (ndncollective.org)
• Rural single moms (limited access/transport): Call 211 for the closest distribution and ask if they allow a proxy pickup; Feeding South Dakota mobiles allow proxies with a signed form — many supply events will too, if you ask in advance. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)
• Single fathers: Every program here supports guardians, not only moms. Use your district’s liaison (Rapid City or Sioux Falls pages) and Project: S.O.S. without hesitation. (rcas.org)
• Language access: For Spanish, ask the school office for a bilingual staff call‑back; the SD DOE links mental health and 211 handouts in Spanish; WIC and school nutrition offices can use tele‑interpreters. Keep 211 on speed dial to request language support. (doe.sd.gov)

Accessibility notes: Call for large‑print applications and accessible pickup; TTY services available through relay by dialing 711 before calling state hotlines or 211 Helpline. (puc.sd.gov)

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Short list of local charities, churches, and community groups to contact

• The Banquet — Project: S.O.S. (Sioux Falls) and Helpline Center listing for donation/coverage details; open to families from any district. (thebanquetsf.org)
• NDN Collective and Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board (Rapid City Indigenous‑led giveaways). (ndncollective.org)
• Cheyenne River Youth Project (Eagle Butte) for CRST school supplies and family services access. (lakotayouth.org)
• Love Feast of Mitchell and Salvation Army Aberdeen/Huron for local supply add‑ons and thrift vouchers. (helplinecenter.org)
• United Way of Greater Yankton (Stuff the Bus Store and Clothing Closet) and contact line for distribution appointments. (yanktonunitedway.org)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Smaller churches often host “school supply Sundays” in August. Ask 211 for your town’s list, and check your city’s events calendar. Watertown’s Back‑to‑School Fair is an example of a local, non‑school pickup. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)

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Reality Check — known bottlenecks and how to dodge them

• Lines and sell‑outs: Rapid City’s GPTLHB event distributed 1,500 backpacks in the first hour in 2025; plan to be in line at least 30–60 minutes early. If you have a toddler, bring snacks and shade. See NewsCenter1 coverage and NDN Collective posts. (newscenter1.tv)
• Registration windows: Brookings and Mitchell have firm deadlines; set reminders a week ahead. The Back2School Project and Love Feast backpacks post specific dates. (familyresources.helplinecenter.org)
• Summer EBT confusion: Summer EBT exists nationally, but SD did not operate it in 2025. If you hear “Sun Bucks” on social media, know that SD families won’t receive those funds unless the state opts in; watch USDA/FRAC trackers and local advocates for updates. (summerebt.org)

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Step‑by‑step: Getting a full K‑12 list covered without cash

1. Reserve a backpack with the largest nearby event (e.g., Project: S.O.S. or a Rapid City Indigenous event) for the bulk of your list. Confirm dates and bring the kids. (thebanquetsf.org)
2. Fill gaps via the school social worker and liaison pages (Rapid City or Sioux Falls), which can add calculators, binders, and headphones from school closets. RCAS McKinney‑Vento and SFSD Homeless Education are direct routes. (rcas.org)
3. Stretch with food programs so you can buy what’s left: hit a Feeding SD Mobile or enroll in WIC via the DOH WIC update. (feedingsouthdakota.org)

What to do if this doesn’t work: Ask your child’s teacher if the classroom receives donated supplies through national partners (some schools get shipments through Kids In Need Foundation or local donors). Then call 211 and ask for “school supply emergency kit” options this week. (dakotaathome.sd.gov)

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Tables you can use at a glance

A. State and federal offices you’ll use most

B. Event timing cheat sheet (typical)

C. Documents to bring (varies by event)

D. Utility emergency one‑pager

E. Where to find food to free up school money

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If your application or request gets denied

• Ask why in writing: For event registrations, ask if you can join a waitlist or come during a “standby hour.” For school services, ask your liaison to note the exact reason and the appeal or alternative. Use RCAS McKinney‑Vento and SFSD Homeless Education pages to find direct phone numbers. (rcas.org)
• Switch events and add food help: If a backpack event is full, grab food from Feeding SD to buy remaining supplies and check another county’s schedule via 211. (feedingsouthdakota.org)
• Escalate utility issues: Use PUC’s informal complaint while you submit LIHEAP — tell the utility both are in process. (puc.sd.gov)

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County‑by‑county differences you’ll notice

• Minnehaha/Lincoln (Sioux Falls): One of the largest backpack programs in the state is Project: S.O.S., with registration, child presence, and set pickup dates. Media reports show thousands served annually. (thebanquetsf.org)
• Pennington/Meade (Rapid City/Box Elder): Large public distributions led by Indigenous organizations are common; they move fast and often don’t require preregistration. See GPTLHB and NDN Collective coverage. (newscenter1.tv)
• Brookings: The Back2School Project is registration‑based with set time slots. (familyresources.helplinecenter.org)
• Davison/Aurora/Hanson: Mitchell’s Love Feast Backpack Program includes shoes if you meet the July cut‑off. (helplinecenter.org)
• Beadle: Huron’s BelieveFest is drive‑through and grade‑specific. (helplinecenter.org)
• Cheyenne River: CRYP uses a membership model and hosts annual supply distributions for reservation youth. (lakotayouth.org)

What to do if this doesn’t work: If your county has no event left, ask your school for a transfer letter stating need and bring it to a larger nearby event that lists “no residency required,” like Project: S.O.S., which notes broad coverage in its 211 listing. (helplinecenter.org)

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FAQs (South Dakota‑specific)

1. How do I get a backpack in Sioux Falls if I missed registration?
   Try standby at the last Project: S.O.S. day, bring all kids, and ask staff for cancellations. Then call 211 for any smaller church pickups that weekend. (thebanquetsf.org)
2. Is there a South Dakota sales‑tax holiday on school supplies?
   No. SD’s state sales tax is 4.2% in 2025, and the state has no sales‑tax holiday, per the Department of Revenue and Federation of Tax Administrators. (dor.sd.gov)
3. Will my child get Summer EBT (“Sun Bucks”) in South Dakota?
   Not in 2025. SD did not operate Summer EBT this year; check again each spring on SummerEBT.org and USDA estimates for SD’s potential participation. (summerebt.org)
4. Who do I call if a utility shutoff is looming while I’m buying supplies?
   Call your utility to request a payment plan or medical extension (see Black Hills Energy options) and apply for LIHEAP at 1‑800‑233‑8503 on the LIHEAP profile. Escalate to the PUC consumer line at 1‑800‑332‑1782. (blackhillsenergy.com)
5. Where can homeless families get help fast in Rapid City?
   Start with RCAS McKinney‑Vento for backpacks and supplies; check Indigenous community events (e.g., NDN Collective giveaways). Call 211 for week‑of events. (rcas.org)
6. Do I need to live in Sioux Falls to use Project: S.O.S.?
   No residency is required; Helpline Center’s entry says students from any district can receive supplies, but registration and child presence rules apply. (helplinecenter.org)
7. What if I can’t attend on the event day?
   Ask if a friend can pick up as a proxy and what paperwork is needed; many food programs allow proxies, as Feeding SD Mobile explains, and some backpack events will with prior approval. (feedingsouthdakota.org)
8. Are there school supply programs in Yankton?
   Yes — United Way of Greater Yankton runs seasonal Stuff the Bus stores and a Clothing Closet; call 1‑605‑665‑6766 for dates. (yanktonunitedway.org)
9. Where can I find summer meals if Summer EBT isn’t available?
   Use the SD DOE Summer Food Service site finder and the Feeding SD Summer BackPack pages for June–August schedules. (doe.sd.gov)
10. Who helps if I run into a scam or price gouging?
    Report problems to the SD Attorney General’s Consumer Protection division and ask the PUC to document utility issues. Call 211 for verified resource links. (consumer.sd.gov)

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Spanish summary — Resumen en español (traducción generada con herramientas de IA)

¿Necesita mochilas y útiles escolares gratis en Dakota del Sur? Empiece con Project: S.O.S. en Sioux Falls (regístrese en línea; niños presentes) y con los eventos comunitarios en Rapid City organizados por NDN Collective y Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board — llegue temprano. Para Brookings, use Family Back2School Project; para Mitchell, Love Feast Backpack Program incluye vales de zapatos si se registra a tiempo. Llame al 211 (o 1‑605‑339‑4357) para encontrar eventos cerca de usted por el Helpline Center. Para alimentos que liberen dinero para útiles, use Feeding South Dakota — Móviles y BackPack. Si le cortan servicios públicos, solicite LIHEAP (1‑800‑233‑8503) con la guía del LIHEAP Clearinghouse y llame a la PUC al 1‑800‑332‑1782 para quejas. (Verifique siempre fechas y requisitos directamente con las agencias.)

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About This Guide

Compiled by the ASingleMother.org Editorial Team.

This guide uses official sources including:

• South Dakota Department of Education — School Nutrition & SFSP and SFSP page for meal programs and summer sites. (doe.sd.gov)
• *[South Dakota Department of Health — WIC 2025 income update](https://doh.sd.gov/news/wic-program-announces-new-income-guidelines- for WIC eligibility.
• South Dakota Department of Revenue — Sales & Use Tax and legislative update on sunset for the 4.2% sales tax and sunset clause.
• Public Utilities Commission — Consumer Assistance and informal complaint form for shutoff prevention steps.
• Feeding South Dakota — Mobile and BackPack for food resources that offset supply costs.
• The Banquet — Project: S.O.S., Helpline Center 211, and community/tribal partners (NDN Collective, GPTLHB, CRYP).

Last verified: September 2025, next review April January 2026.

Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur — email info@asinglemother.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.

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Disclaimer

This guide is for general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Always verify current eligibility, dates, and availability with the program directly. Government and nonprofit funding can change quickly. Use primary sources linked here, including state departments, 211 Helpline, and the specific event pages for the most current details.

What to do if this doesn’t work: If you can’t reach a program or a link looks outdated, call 211 and ask the specialist to confirm the latest phone or sign‑up page.

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Final tip

Keep a simple folder with your kids’ supply lists, WIC/meal letters, and any liaison notes. Show that folder at events like Project: S.O.S. or NDN Collective’s giveaway to speed pickup and get exactly what your child needs.

Good luck — and don’t hesitate to use the numbers and links above. If one door is closed, another opens quickly in South Dakota when you ask the right office and arrive early.

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