Great Plains Food Bank is North Dakota's only food bank, serving 151,000 people across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota in 2024, about a third of them children and 16 percent seniors. It operates distribution centers in Fargo and Bismarck and runs a truck fleet that reaches rural communities and tribal nations across one of the least densely populated states in the country. Ann Prifrel became CEO in 2026, succeeding Melissa Sobolik, who led the organization for four years before leaving to head the Rhode Island Community Food Bank after 18 years with Great Plains. It is a Feeding America member.
Great Plains Food Bank sources food at scale and distributes it across North Dakota and into neighboring Clay County, Minnesota, through partner agencies and its own programs, run from distribution centers in Fargo and Bismarck. A truck fleet carries food to rural communities and tribal nations across an enormous, thinly populated state, where distance is the defining challenge of hunger relief. It runs strong programs for children and seniors, who together make up nearly half of those it serves.
Ann Prifrel became CEO in 2026, bringing more than a decade of executive experience in hunger relief and nonprofit fundraising, most recently as chief development officer of the Harry Chapin Food Bank in southwest Florida. She succeeded Melissa Sobolik, who spent 18 years at Great Plains, including four as CEO, before leaving in 2025 to lead the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
Great Plains Food Bank serves all of North Dakota plus Clay County, Minnesota, across the Red River from Fargo. North Dakota is one of the least densely populated states in the country, and much of the need is rural and on tribal lands, where the nearest grocery store can be very far away. In 2024 the food bank reached 151,000 people, with demand up sharply amid federal benefit changes.
Yes. Great Plains Food Bank is a registered 501(c)(3) and a Feeding America member, the only food bank in North Dakota. Donors can review its financials through Charity Navigator and GuideStar. Bulk buying and donated food mean a gift produces many meals.
Donations and volunteer shifts run through greatplainsfoodbank.org. Volunteers sort and pack food at the Fargo and Bismarck centers and help at distributions, and cash gifts go furthest because of the food bank’s purchasing power.
Great Plains Food Bank is the only food bank in North Dakota, so it has no direct in-state peer on hunger relief. It works alongside the Salvation Army and other groups on the broader safety net. For anyone in North Dakota, it is the lead food bank to support.
Hubs in Fargo and Bismarck cover the state.
Food carried to rural communities and tribal nations.
School and weekend food support for kids at risk of hunger.
Food assistance for older adults on fixed incomes.
Sources: Great Plains Food Bank website (greatplainsfoodbank.org), ProPublica (EIN 47-2229589), and InForum and KFGO reporting on the leadership transition from Melissa Sobolik to Ann Prifrel. We are not affiliated with Great Plains Food Bank and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
More North Dakota and food-bank resources