Thanks to Ernie, food insecure residents of Northmoor, Missouri, have another option when it comes to putting food on the table.

Ernie, the father of Black Hills Energy Software Developer Kevin, wanted to honor his late wife, June, who passed way from Alzheimer’s nearly two years ago. Since June was always a very giving person, Ernie came up with the idea of creating a community food pantry in her honor. Kevin stepped up, along with others in the community, to help his father bring the idea to life.

“I thought what better way to honor her memory than to erect something like this and just try to help the community out,” Ernie said. 

A resident of Tiffany Springs Senior Living in Northmoor, Ernie contacted other residents there with his idea. The response was swift — the first week alone he received six donated bags of groceries. Next up, Kevin built a structure to house the pantry, and the city gave permission for it to be placed on city property near a low-income community. Ernie’s daughter-in-law decorated the structure with the phrases "To honor June," "Take what you need" and "Leave what you can."

The pantry project has been so popular in Northmoor that other residents of Tiffany Springs are now contemplating adding a pantry in other areas of town. Ernie and Kevin think June would be proud to know that a pantry in her name is helping people in Northmoor and especially thrilled to know it’s inspiring others to give back as well.

We partner with our communities and customers, providing the kind of energy that fuels those areas and the lives of those we serve. Feel free to share the stories and photos. Make sure to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.