NAHA: Newsletter July 2026

Dear Friends, Welcome to our very first monthly newsletter. We are launching this space to keep you connected to the direct impact of your support and to share stories from the communities we serve. If you have a story or a suggestion for future editions, please reply directly to this email.

As the summer heat peaks, our field teams are on the road daily, working alongside families across South Dakota to support health, well-being, and self-reliance. Here is a look at what we are accomplishing together and what lies ahead.

Your Support in Action: Brightening Smiles at Sacred Shawl Shelter

When a shipment of toys arrived at the Sacred Shawl Shelter, the atmosphere instantly transformed into one of pure celebration. In a profoundly rural and underserved region, these gifts brought essential moments of comfort and laughter to children, parents, and grandparents alike. As Donna LaMont beautifully shares in her note, your generosity creates a ripple effect of happiness where it is needed most.

Summer Delivery Milestones

Our drivers and field teams have been navigating long distances to ensure geographical isolation does not stand in the way of essential resources.

Over the last 30 days, your collective support delivered:

• 124,002 pounds of food to the tribal communities, providing a massive baseline of nutritional support.

• 43 pallets of AC units and mini-splits received, with distributions already underway to combat severe summer weather.

• Critical climate relief to families bracing for extreme heat, which reached between 98 and 106 degrees during last year's June-to-September stretch.

FAQ Corner: Your Questions Answered

Q: How far do families living in remote reservation areas typically have to travel to reach a basic grocery store?

A: In many of the remote communities we serve across South Dakota, a trip to the nearest full-service grocery store can mean a round-trip drive of over 60 to 100 miles. Because reliable personal transportation and fuel can be scarce, this geographical isolation makes accessing fresh produce and daily essentials a major hurdle. Our distribution routes are designed to bridge the gap by bringing resources directly into the communities where they are needed most.

Have a question about our routes, programs, or operations? Reply to this email and we may feature it in a future edition.

Financial Stewardship

We know that every dollar represents a choice to support this mission. We keep our internal operations lean so that the vast majority of all funding goes directly into procurement and field operations.

Through our unique distribution network, NAHA transforms every $0.01 of funding into $1.00 of tangible products on the ground, making direct monetary donations the farthest-reaching way to fuel transparent, reliable relief.

On the Horizon: Upcoming Community Needs

To keep our supply chains moving across thousands of miles of rugged terrain, we plan our resource needs months in advance. Here is what our communities need next:

• August: School Supply & Backpack Drive. Ensuring students head into the new school year with the tools they need to succeed.

• September: Winter Fuel & Heating Prep. Securing early energy vouchers and firewood assistance before the autumn temperature drops.

• October: Holiday Program. Packing delivery trucks with festive staples to ensure remote families can share a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Just $18 feeds a family of five.

If you would like to help us prep for the August school supply runs or keep our delivery trucks fueled, please make a donation by clicking the button in the menu.