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FARGO, N.D. – Hess Corporation, with affiliate offices located in Minot, has made a substantial commitment to the fight to end hunger with a $100,000 gift to the Great Plains Food Bank that will immediately help to feed hungry seniors, children and families across North Dakota and western Minnesota. The gift comes at a time when more people than ever are turning to the Great Plains Food Bank for needed food assistance.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Great Plains Food Bank has seen an unprecedented 45 percent increase in need, which has equated to an additional 3.3 million meals being served to those in need since March of this year.

Brent Lohnes, North Dakota General Manager said, “On behalf of all my colleagues at Hess, we want to say thank you to all the organizations helping those in need through the COVID-19 reality of 2020. When we heard about the increase in demand for food, we knew we needed to step in and help.” Lohnes added, “Hess’ mission is to be the most trusted energy partner wherever we operate and to make a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. We are proud to be able to support the well-being of our communities.”

“We continue to be blown away by the amazing support from partners in the community and this gift from Hess Corporation is another example of someone stepping up during an incredibly difficult time.”

 The gift is a crucial donation for the Great Plains Food Bank as it estimates a $14 million response that will be needed over a 12-month period to fill the increase in need due to COVID-19.

“We continue to be blown away by the amazing support from partners in the community and this gift from Hess Corporation is another example of someone stepping up during an incredibly difficult time,” Great Plains Food Bank President Melissa Sobolik said. “This substantial gift will help to put food on the tables of hungry North Dakotans and western Minnesotans tonight. This is a time like no other where people who never thought they would be going hungry are using our services for the first time. It’s comforting that Hess Corporation can help alleviate some of their burden.”

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About Hess Corporation
Hess Corporation is a leading global independent energy company engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. Hess has maintained a presence in North Dakota since 1951 and is today one of the largest producers of oil and gas in the state. Hess is committed to meeting the highest standards of corporate citizenship and creating a positive impact on the communities where we operate. In North Dakota Hess has supported numerous community organizations across the state, investing approximately $1 million in 2020 alone. Hess support has helped fund groups including: Bismarck State College JET Program, Blood Drives, Companions for Children, Farm Rescue, Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons, Greater Minot Zoological Society, Greater North Dakota Chamber, Great Plains Food Bank, Great Tomato Festival, Heritage Singers, Intelligent Pipeline Integrity Program (iPIPE), JDRF, Magic City Discovery Center, Make-A-Wish, Minot State Hockey, Minot FFA Alumni Auction, Minot Sunrise Rotary Club, MSU Summer Theatre, Mule Deer Foundation, North Dakota Rodeos, North Dakota Safety Council, North Dakota Special Olympics, North Dakota State Fair Foundation, Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports, Recovery Reinvented, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Save the Maah Daah Hey, Souris Valley United Way, UND Mechanical Engineering Department, Upper Missouri Relay for Life, Vision Zero, YMCA Summer Unplugged; State of North Dakota.

About the Great Plains Food Bank

Now in its 38th year, the Great Plains Food Bank serves as North Dakota’s only food bank. Its partner network includes 213 food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and other charitable feeding programs operating in 99 communities across N.D. and Clay County, Minn. Since 1983, the Great Plains Food Bank, through its array of innovative direct service programs and partner network, have distributed more than 175 million meals to children, seniors, and families in need. The Great Plains Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, and was named the Not-for-Profit of the Year in 2018 by the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.