ABOUT
• frequently asked questions
From “What is Hunger Solutions?” to “Why should I support Hunger Solutions Minnesota,” here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to us and our mission.
ABOUT OUR WORK
What is Hunger Solutions Minnesota
Where is Hunger Solutions Minnesota located?
How does HSM help hungry Minnesotans?
How does HSM get food for food banks?
How much money and food is distributed?
Who does HSM serve?
Can the hungry get food directly from HSM?
Whom does HSM work with?
ABOUT HUNGER
Is hunger a serious problem in Minnesota?
Why are there so many hungry people in Minnesota?
What are the implications of high hunger rates?
ABOUT OUR TERMINOLOGY
What’s an emergency food program?
What’s the difference between a food bank and a food shelf?
What does TEFAP mean?
ABOUT HELPING
Why should I support HSM?
What good will my donation do?
Will my donation be tax deductible?
What public information is available about HSM’s finances?
Where does Hunger Solutions Minnesota get its funding?
ABOUT OUR WORK
What is Hunger Solutions Minnesota?
Hunger Solutions Minnesota is a nonprofit hunger relief organization that works with food shelves and America’s Second Harvest food banks to ensure that food goes to individuals, children, and families who lack adequate nutrition due to poverty.
More about the history of MN Hunger Solutions
Where is Hunger Solutions Minnesota located?
Hunger Solutions Minnesota is located at 555 Park Street in Suite 420, just across the street from the Minnesota State Capitol.
How does HSM get product for food banks?
Hunger Solutions Minnesota manages the procurement and distribution of products among the 6 America’s Second Harvest food banks. These donated products, including packaged, canned, perishable and non-perishable foods, meet all food safety and nutrition standards. Product sources include America’s Second Harvest donations, local donations and the government commodity program known as TEFAP.
How much money and food is distributed?
In the last 5 years, the growth of food distribution has been very steady. During this time, HSM has moved or assisted in moving approximately 100 million pounds of food: 25 million in TEFAP product, 15 million in produce and the rest, regular donations. In addition, HSM distributes almost $1.3 million annually to the state’s food shelves through state allocated funds.
Hunger Solutions Minnesota works with Minnesota’s 300+ food shelves serving people in need of food. Food shelves serve families with children, the elderly, teenagers, the homeless, the homebound, low-income workers, and people with AIDS. More than half of the people served in these programs are children and the elderly. HSM’s goal is to help the food shelves do their work better.
Can the hungry get food directly from HSM?
No. HSM supports the work of food banks and food shelves rather than being a direct service agency. Food banks are large repositories for donated food and are one source of food for the food shelves. The food shelves distribute food at no cost to people in need. If you or someone you know needs emergency food assistance, please click here, or call our toll free number 1-800-782-6372 to locate food programs in your community.
ABOUT HUNGER
Is hunger a serious problem in Minnesota?
Hunger is a very serious problem in Minnesota as it continues to grow exponentially. In 2000, approximately 1.2 million people were served at Minnesota food shelves. In 2005, 1.7 million people were served at food shelves. As more and more people are working without a livable wage or without supplemental government assistance, the food relief work of the food shelves will continue to expand.
Why are there so many hungry people in Minnesota?
In recent years, low-paying jobs, high housing costs, low benefits levels, lack of education and job skills, as well as cuts in government assistance programs have combined to intensify poverty and hunger as major problems in Minnesota. The fastest growing group to use the food shelves is the “working poor.” These are people who are working full time, sometimes 2 or 3 jobs and they still can’t support their families.
ABOUT OUR TERMINOLOGY
What’s an emergency food program?
The goal of an emergency food program is to help meet the nutritional needs of low income persons, including families, children and seniors, newly arrived immigrants, people with illnesses and special dietary needs. The major objectives of hunger relief programs include providing emergency food, assisting people in securing food support (formerly known as food stamps) and other non-emergency food resources, and in providing nutrition education and other support services. If you or someone you know is hungry, click here to find out where your local food shelf is located.
What’s the difference between a food shelf and a food bank?
A food shelf is similar to a small grocery store where clients or customers go to receive a short-term supply of groceries at no cost, usually on a monthly basis or less frequently. Food shelves are often funded by grants and donations from their local communities and most rely heavily on volunteer support. Food banks are one source of food for food shelves.
A food bank is a charitable organization that solicits, receives, inventories and stores donated food and grocery products pursuant to grocery industry and appropriate regulatory standards. These products are distributed primarily to charitable human service agencies which, in turn, provide the products directly to needy clients through various programs.
For more terminology, click here.
TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) is a federal program that provides food commodities at no cost to low-income individuals in need of short-term hunger relief. In Minnesota the surplus commodities are distributed among the America’s Second Harvest food banks; in turn food shelves receive them through their local food bank. TEFAP serves the agricultural community by distributing surplus commodities purchased by the USDA from farmers and other producers. TEFAP was created in 1981 with the name “Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program.” Commodity items range from fresh produce items to canned goods including vegetables, fruits, cooking oil, juice and meats.
ABOUT HELPING
Because more and more people are in need with food shelf usage rising nearly 43% over the past four years, and the numbers continuing to climb. As the gap between the cost of living and the wages earned by many Minnesotans continues to grow, more and more families are finding themselves one paycheck away from poverty.
Because food shelves across the state are strained beyond their capacity with some forced to give out less food per visit, limit hours of availability, or even close their doors because they do not have the operational support needed to meet the rising needs of their community.
Because Hunger Solutions Minnesota provides solutions to these problems at every level — helping those in need by:
-Working with and supporting every aspect of hunger relief in Minnesota through financial support and services to food banks and food shelves across the state
-Serving as the voice of the hungry in our state
-Providing long-term solutions to hunger
What good will my donation do?
Your donation will make a difference in the lives of those who struggle to put food on the table. Donations to Hunger Solutions Minnesota help us to:
-Increase the amount of nutritious food provided to those in need by supporting our work to increase fresh product distributions at food shelves.
-Ensure that families and seniors can receive the food that they need by providing funding for our work to assist food shelves in crisis, and supplying them with the equipment and resources necessary to continue their important work.
-Support the daily work of those who fight hunger in Minnesota, by sustaining our work to distribute over $1.5 million directly each year to food shelves and food banks throughout the state. HSM also administers the government commodities program on the state level, which brings 5 million pounds of emergency food into the hunger relief system each year.
-Provide long-term solutions to hunger in Minnesota through support of our advocacy work, efforts to raise awareness of the issue, and partner with other poverty reduction organizations across the state.
Will my donation be tax deductible?
Yes, donations to HSM are deductible as HSM is a 501-c3 organization.
What public information is available about HSM’s finances?
HSM has an annual audit and files a 990 with the state of Minnesota. The 990 is available for public viewing through Guidestar. HSM’s administrative and fundraising expenses fall within the accepted standards for nonprofits.
Where does Hunger Solutions get its funding?
As is the case with most nonprofits, HSM’s funding comes from several sources including government contracts, foundation and corporate grants, fee for service, membership fees and donations from service groups, benefits and generous individuals and families.