Matt Gassen
CEO, Feeding South Dakota
First recorded August 19, 2021
Matt has served as the CEO of Feeding South Dakota since 1999. He successfully coordinated the merger of South Dakota’s two affiliate food banks, the Black Hills Regional Food Bank in Rapid City and the Food Service Center in Sioux Falls. Six years later, he facilitated the addition of a third food bank location in Pierre to meet the hunger needs in central South Dakota. In 2013, Matt successfully led a statewide capital campaign to raise more than $10 million to provide much-needed facility improvements and replacements in all three distribution center locations, dramatically increasing efficiencies, food safety, and food distribution.
During his 22 years as leader of the organization, Matt oversaw the creation and implementation of multiple new programs that have provided food access to critical need groups and communities across our state. He currently leads a team of 45 staff members working to distribute over 17 million pounds of food annually to the one in nine South Dakotans facing food insecurity.
Matt currently serves as the chair of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program State Set-Aside Committee, a board member for the South Dakota’s Partners Against Hunger and South Dakota Sportsman Against Hunger, a member of the Feeding America NAC (National Council) and is also a member of the South Dakota Non-Profit Association.
