Serving a Community

A MEAL CAN BE MORE THAN JUST sustenance for many people. For some, it’s a way for them to stay connected with their community.

For over 50 years, Area IV Senior Nutrition has been providing meals and educating the people of northeastern South Dakota. They provide one healthy, well-balanced meal a day to adults over the age of 60. There is no income eligibility requirement, and no one is turned away based on their current financial status. These meals are available through delivery and at the Aberdeen Area Senior Center. Brown County is just one of the nearly 20 communities that they serve.

Carrold Wahl is a longtime volunteer for Area IV.

There had been other nutritional programs in South Dakota in the past, but Area IV began in 1973. Executive Director Marla Kiesz guessed that South Dakota had been split into different areas as part of one of these prior programs, and that they were the only ones to keep the “Area” name. The program’s organizers decided that the board of directors should be eligible to get services, so all board members are over 60 years old.

Area IV has held the same priorities since the beginning. One of their biggest missions is to provide nutritional meals, with all menus being approved by a dietician to ensure that they follow parameters determined by the Federal Older Americans Act of 1965, which is the grant that makes the program possible. They also use the myplate.org standards for 1/3 of daily nutrition that is required for an aging citizen. Nutritional facts and benefits are also printed on the back of the physical menus that they distribute.

Area IV also focuses on nourishing the wellbeing of people past meals. All deliveries require one-on-one connection with the recipient or a direct supervisor. If they are not able to make a connection, staff contact a supervisor, emergency contact, or emergency services.

“Sometimes they might have forgotten a doctor appointment, but we have found people that have fallen or are deceased,” Kiesz said. “It’s very, very important. For some people, the delivery drivers are their only social interaction for the day.”

Most routes have the same driver each day, so they can check to see if there are any medical issues with a person. Aberdeen has about 10 routes each day.

Area IV also connects individuals with other resources that are available in their communities.

“They can enrich their lives and keep them independent,” Kiesz said. SNAP, energy assistance, housing vouchers, weatherization of homes, building and stair upkeep can be accessed allowing people to stay in their homes longer.

“There are no income requirements, and we don’t turn anyone away,” Kiesz said. “If they can pay one dollar, we accept one dollar. If they can pay ten, we accept ten.”

Funding for Area IV comes from a joint venture of Federal, State and Local resources. The authorization and financial base for the program originates with the Federal Older Americans Act of 1965. Federal funding primarily comes from Title III-C of the Older Americans Act, in the Health and Human Resources Department and the commodity supplemental feeding program in the Department of Agriculture. All Federal funding is funneled through the Department of Social Services in the State of South Dakota.

Up until this year, the suggested cost for each meal was $5 per meal, but this year they raised the cost to $6 per meal.

“It was a difficult decision, but everything is going up,” Kiesz said. “We have to take care of our staff.”

Maintaining staff is Area IV’s biggest expense outside of food costs.

All meals are prepared at the Washington Street Gym by volunteers.

Although their services are only available to those aged 60 and over, they are able to make referrals for people that are 59 and under.

“We help connect them with hospitals, nursing homes, services like Dakota at Home, and the Department of Human Services,” Kiesz said.

In July 2025, over 22,000 meals were served to patrons of the program, including both those over and under 60 years of age. About 60 percent of these meals were delivered to patrons in their homes, while 40 percent of the meals were congregate meals served at their various locations in South Dakota. Kiesz said that one of Area IV’s biggest challenges has been the ratio of deliveries versus on-site meals. Prior to COVID-19, these percentages were flipped.

Kiesz said that they want to encourage people to go and eat together. Diners that meet up in person often discuss things like upcoming bingo games, musical performances, and bake sales, so diners can learn about other events during the week.

“We tell legislators that these individuals still utilize their communities,” Kiesz said. “Some people in their early 90s still drive to our meals. Services like this help them stay engaged and active in their community.”

Courtesy Photo

Kiesz said that she has seen the impact of the program firsthand. When she visits with the directors of other programs, they are able to discuss the needs of their communities and can then work together to figure out how to help their patrons. Some rural communities don’t have grocery stores, so access to quality ingredients for meals is something that is often taken for granted. Their presence in the state has been something of a snowball effect, and they have been able to expand their reach over the years.

“To be buoyant for 50 years is something,” Kiesz said. “Knowing that we have South Dakota’s support for this long means that they know our program works. It’s wonderful. We are happy and proud to be part of that, and that our resources are enriching lives.”…

• For more information, visit their Facebook page at Area IV Senior Nutrition, their website areaivsrnutrition.com, or call 605-229-4741.