RAPID CITY, S.D. – A year of hard work and collaboration was recognized Thursday as a new resource for children and families opened at General Beadle Elementary.

The General Beadle Family Resource Center was officially opened to serve students and families as part of RCAS’s effort to support students beyond the classroom by connecting families with resources that can help strengthen attendance, stability, and student success.

The center was developed after RCAS McKinney-Vento Coordinator Anita Deranleau saw a community need and spearheaded the project.

“It was just a dream that children would have a place so they would be secure in their food and that they would have their needs met,” Deranleau said. “And today my dreams a reality. It was only possible because the teamwork and our great partners.”

Anita Deranleau, RCAS McKinney-Vento Coordinator, addresses the crowd on Thursday.

Feeding South Dakota, Black Hills Area Community Foundation, the Rapid City Area Schools board, the superintendent, and school staff, made the project come together.

“Everyone played a part from the first wall that was knocked down, the first wiring that was put in, the first shelves that were put together – a great team came together to make my dream a reality.”

Information, showers, laundry and food are available at the center.

“What an incredible resource to be able to serve our students, our neighbors and their families through this resource center,” Megan Kjose, Chief Development Officer, Feeding South Dakota said. “At Feeding South Dakota, we know that putting food on the table can be a real challenge… that’s why this resource is so important.”

Dr. Cory Strasser, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

The Resource Center is located in space that previously housed community health at General Beadle. Remodeling the space included adding showers and washing machines in addition to the food pantry.

“It’s always been a need,” Deranleau said. “It’s really important because you want to come to school looking presentable and if you’re struggling with housing insecurity it’s hard to do that.”

The Resource Center pantry is open from 4 to 6 p.m. The showers and washers and dryers will be available by appointment.

“The center is not about schools trying to solve every problem,” Dr. Cory Strasser, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services said. “It’s about recognizing a need and bringing the right people together, and that’s exactly what happened here.”

Megan Kjose, Chief Development Officer, Feeding South Dakota