RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -Founded in 2017, Fork Real Community Café was created to address hunger among Rapid City’s youngest generation by offering a Pay-What-You-Can model to make nutritious food accessible to all.
The nonprofit was built on three core values: People, Food, and Conversation, the café impact reaches far beyond its walls, extending into the lives and stories of those it serves every day.
Rhonda Pearcy, the founder and executive director of Fork Real Community Café has seen the impact firsthand.
“A big part of who we are is actually working with other people in the community. Food is not everything. We use it to help people,” Pearcy says. “Mark got a new starter for his car through my husband and SHIFT Garage, so now he can get around.”
Everyone is welcome to enjoy a home-style meal, using locally grown produce to create fresh, healthy dishes and foster community connection.
The café also has plans to grow its programs in the coming years, building on the work it’s already done in the community.
“We started out wanting to feed people and for everyone to be able to eat here at the café, all of the community, those who have homes, those who don’t, those who may have jobs, and those who may not. We’ve done that. In 2026, we will be going full on with classes inside our prep and training area, and our ultimate goal in ten years is to be part of bringing a culinary institute to Rapid City,” said Pearcy.
To support Fork Real’s Community Café annual fundraiser happening on October 11th or get involved with their efforts, click here.
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