Wahpeton Food Pantry Director Retires

The Richland Wilkin Food Pantry in Wahpeton says a bittersweet goodbye.

Director Karen Stroklund is retiring after volunteering for 26 years, and serving as director for 15.

She helped move the pantry from one room in a basement to the new facility it has now.

“My dad and his friends built all the shelving!” said Stroklund.

She started volunteering when she was helping out her own mother, and now– it’s a memory her own grandchildren will cherish.

Her granddaughter Abigail says her favorite part is just being with Grandma.

“Just being able to get to see her and if I’m at the food pantry and I work hard I get a treat,” says Abigail Morris.

She is retiring and moving to Alexandria with her husband, but her co-volunteers say she will not be forgotten.

“I think that they see the spirit of Karen and her service in all of us and all the volunteers that they meet here, and the enjoyment that they get with their grocery guides when they come to the food pantry,” says Michelle.

Karen plans on continue helping out in the Alexandria Food Pantry location.

“I had my paid job. But the volunteer job is was the one I had more pride in, because you’re doing it because you wanted to, because you were helping others. It’s a feeling you don’t get from anything else,” says Stroklund.

She has her dream house on the lake, and a forever family at the Food Pantry.