When Jason Houle started the Mobile Food Shelf of Minnesota in Jordan a few years ago, he wanted to bring food to people who couldn’t get it. He didn’t think “mobile” would mean moving his organization around again and again.

But, that’s what happened.

Now due to a partnership with Holy Trinity Ministries (HTM) in Minneapolis, the “mobile” food shelf has found a permanent location at Houle’s home church, Bridgewood Church. The move comes after the food shelf outgrew its original space in Jordan and moved to Burnsville just over a year ago. The organization Houle was leasing space from in Burnsville moved to another location, spurring the most recent move to Bridgewood.

“There’s really a need for a food shelf with these economic times,” the Savage resident said. “There was no food shelf in Savage.” Jason Houle stacks the shelves at HTM Mobile Food Shelf at Bridgewood Church. The food shelf opened for the first time Oct. 23.Mobile food shelf: Jason Houle stacks
the shelves at HTM Mobile Food Shelf
at Bridgewood Church. The food shelf
opened for the first time Oct. 23.

Just like the original model, the new food shelf will bring food to people who can’t get it themselves. At the central location in the church there will be fresh, perishable items available, gas cards and offerings of prayers.

After getting approval from the church elders in August, Houle converted a former classroom space into a food shelf. Bridgewood is giving the food shelf the space in exchange for financial help with a small portion of the electric bill, Houle said.

The need, said Rev. Don Muilenberg, is what sold the church on the idea of housing a food shelf.

“There was an excitement about being able to support the community and the needs of the community,” Muilenberg said.

The shelves are stocked with food donated by people or with food purchased with monetary donations. “Without the help of private donors we wouldn’t be able to do this,” Houle said. “We’re good stewards of what we get, but we rely on those donations.”

The shelves contain canned goods, pasta, pre-packaged dinners, baby items and toiletries. Plus, clothes line one wall. Tucked in a closet is an industrial refrigerator with milk inside. And filling all the space between is a lot of love and caring.

“I love what I’m doing, I love helping people out,” Houle said. “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t love it. I have a 40-hour a week job in addition to being a husband and a dad – I really love helping people out.”

That attitude, Muilenberg said, is one he’s come to appreciate from Houle. “I love his heart for the Lord and his heart for those in need,” he said.

Although he’s never used a food shelf, Houle does remember going to bed hungry as a child and wants to help avoid that for other children.

Houle said although the food shelf is a mobile one, only 10 percent of the interactions he has with people is done through deliveries; the majority is through people coming into the food shelf.

Partnering

The partnership with HTM is a unique one, Houle said. About five years ago Houle initially met the Rev. Tom Stover from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Ministries in Minneapolis.

“We wanted to answer the question: ‘How do we get food to people who can’t get to it?’ and Jason was able to give us that answer,” Stover said.

Stover said part of the mission of the Minneapolis church is to do outreach in the metro area.

“This may sound corny, but we’re doing what we’ve been called to do; this is what we’re supposed to do – this is church … we’re the hands and feet of Jesus,” Stover said. “Some people think of church as building a building, putting a fence around it and ringing a bell on Sundays. For us, church is when we get together and we’re picked up by God … this is where our church is.”

The same tune was repeated by Bridgewood’s pastor.

“When looking at scripture, that’s one thing we’re called to do. Give food as well as spread the gospel,” Muilenberg said.