Ten days ago, Aji and betson08 launched a fundraising drive for gift cards to thank each of the 19 regular volunteers at the Okiciyap food pantry on the Cheyenne River Reservation in Isabel, South Dakota. And two weeks ago, weck continued to request warm winter clothing for the 100+ children that Okiciyap helps. This diary continues those efforts.
First, though, thank you all for what you've made possible for Okiciyap during the past 6 months. In addition to raising money for food, which is always needed, you have helped to raise funds for much-needed appliances, including 3 window air-conditioning units and a refrigerator for the food pantry. The a/c units aren't needed at the moment, of course, but Okiciyap's clients and volunteers definitely appreciated them during the latter part of the summer!
In addition, readers donated and raised funds for back-to-school supplies for Okiciyap to distribute to 100 students in August. Generous donors have also sent office equipment and supplies, kitchen items, quilting and sewing supplies, arts & crafts supplies, games, and some books by native authors for a youth library, among other things. Last month, you funded Thanksgiving dinners for 50 families served by Okiciyap. And you have now helped to raise the money that Okiciyap needs to sponsor a community dinner for Christmas.
A few days ago, Ojibwa posted statistics regarding Reservation Poverty at Cheyenne River:
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota covers 11,447 square miles and has a population of about 8,500.Your efforts to help Okiciyap help their community are making a difference where there is a high poverty rate. Here are just a few photos of Okiciyap volunteers donating their time, effort, and skills to help others in their community.Two out of five of the reservation households (42%) live in poverty and 15% are in extreme poverty [defined as less than half of the poverty threshold]. The official unemployment rate is about 8.6% with 43% of the reservation adults out of the labor force. About one third of the reservation adults (33%) have at least a high school education.
