Serving Hope on the Open Road

If students and families in-need couldn’t come to St. Joseph’s Indian School due to COVID-19 shutdowns, we made a point to go to them.

Although school is not currently in session due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, St. Joseph’s Indian School staff volunteers were still able to deliver some much-needed items to the community to help during a very trying time.

Staff took to the open road on March 27 to deliver food, clothing and cleaning supplies to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe food pantry and Sacred Heart Center Women’s Shelter.

One of those staff members included Campus Safety and Security Coordinator Joe Hutmacher. Hutmacher is used to being in a helping role, but he knew this was something a little different that he wanted to be a part of.

“I believe my mission in life is to protect and help people, especially those who are struggling,” he said. “I often pray to God that he puts me in the right place at the right time to do what I can to help. This trip gave me a sense of purpose and satisfaction to do my small part in delivering supplies to those in need, and I am both grateful and proud to be part of an organization that affords me that opportunity.”

Hutmacher said it was great to be greeted by tribal members who thanked him several times for the donated goods.

St. Joseph’s Indian School did similar deliveries to the Crow Creek and Lower Brule reservations the previous week, sharing supplies and food that had been ordered for lunches in the St. Joseph’s Indian School Dining Hall. With students currently remaining in their home communities, this seems like a good distribution of items that would otherwise go unused.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

3 thoughts on “Serving Hope on the Open Road”

    1. We would love to receive some masks! You can send them to 1301 N Main Street, Chamberlain, SD 57325. Thank you so much for thinking of us!

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