Food shelf kicks off Food Share Month
News | Published on March 7, 2023 at 2:46pm EST | Author: frazeevergas
0Local Food Pantry served 4,316 families in 2022
For 41 years, Minnesota FoodShare has worked to address food insecurity and poverty throughout the state via education and state and federal advocacy efforts. Minnesota FoodShare also provides resources to food shelves and food distribution programs across the state through the annual March Campaign.
The largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state, the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign will run February 27 to April 9, and brings together various community organizations, businesses and faith communities to help stock the nearly 300 food shelves statewide. The Becker County Food Pantry is a participant in this campaign. To date, Minnesota FoodShare has distributed over $18 million to March Campaign participating food shelves via its Food Fund.
Locally, the Becker County Food Pantry served 4,316 families, or 13,260 people over the course of 2022 and distributed 479,875 pounds of food through the food shelf.
Undesignated monetary contributions are still preferable over product donations as food shelves are able to purchase some items for as low as 8 cents a pound, through their partnership with the North Country Food Bank, or receive a discount for buying in bulk and are also able to use funds where needed. the Becker County Food Pantry is 100 percent volunteer organization.
In 1982, Minnesota FoodShare began its work with a campaign advanced by congregations to restock food shelves in the 7-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The March Campaign became a state wide program just one year later. With that, Becker County, along with the other food shelves, are eligible for grants coming from the Greater Minneapolis Community Connections (GMCC). The more donations the local food pantry collects, the larger their award from GMCC.
One hundred percent of financial contributions to Minnesota FoodShare via the March Campaign go to participating food shelves. Product donations collected may be dropped off at the Food Pantry (1308 Rossman Ave) anytime Tuesday’s or Thursday’s from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Checks may be mailed to us at 1308 Rossman Ave, Detroit Lakes, or individuals may donate by credit card online at: www.givemn.org/organization/Becker-County-Food-Pantry
The Food Pantry is open from 12-noon-3 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays at the building on the Becker County Fairgrounds (and from 3:30-5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month by appointment).
For any questions, or moreinformation, contact (218) 846-0142 and leave a message.