• hsm member e-news
February 5, 2008

A Message From Our Director

It seems that the mere mention of a possible recession has spurred action at both a local and national level. Those of you who staff the food banks and food shelves have been seeing the signs of recession for more than a year. To read more, click here.

TEFAP Update February 2008

The New Year should see an increase in TEFAP products arriving at the Food Banks. You will be seeing some of the more familiar items (ground beef, vegetable oil, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, etc.) showing up on an inventory near you. To read more, click here.

HSM Blue Ribbon Food Shelf Recognition Kits Available Soon! Deadline Extensions Available!

Thanks so very much to all of you that have submitted your completed Blue Ribbon Food Shelf Tools to HSM by the designated date. If your food shelf has met the necessary set standards, you will receive your recognition kit in the mail. To read more, click here.

HSM Emergency Grant Makes An Impact

Over the past two years, a food shelf in St. Paul lost two major funding sources while the requests for services in the community increased by over 15%. The costs of running the community food shelf had increased as well, leading them to operate in a deficit and reduce services to their community. To read more, click here.

Tax Related Information and Resources for Direct Service Nonprofit Staff

It’s that time of the year again. Tax time! Take a look at these resources and pass the information along to staff, volunteers and the people you serve. To read more, click here.

Demonstrate Nonprofit Power on February 14th with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

MCN is convening a Nonprofit Day at the Capitol on February 14 to provide nonprofits and legislators with an opportunity to discuss threats to the tax exempt status of nonprofits. As you may know, a Minnesota Supreme Court decision made in December narrowed the definition of “organizations of purely public charity,” severely limiting sales property tax exemptions for nonprofits. To read more, click here.

Gerber Baby Food Use By Information

If you’ve always wondered whether or not it is safe to give out Gerber Baby Food Products past the better if use by date, here is a message from the Gerber Products Company in Fremont, Michigan. To read more, click here.

U of MN Extension-Planting the Seed Early Program and the Perham Food Shelf

In the spring of 1997, Marilyn Hofland, a Nutrition Education Assistant who works in East Otter Tail County, began looking for a location to start a community garden. When Marilyn mentioned her search to the Perham Food Shelf Director, it was suggested she take a look at the open lot next to the food shelf building. To read more, click here.

Summer Food Service Program Simplified

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently announced simplified procedures for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The new procedures streamline cost accounting requirements and monthly claiming procedures, making the program easier to administer. To read more, click here.

Students Can Win a $3,000 STOP Hunger Scholarship

The STOP Hunger Scholarships recognize and reward students who have made a significant impact in the fight against hunger and its root causes in the United States. To read more, click here

Recent news:

  • Project Food Stock Dakota County

    About Project FoodStock

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  • Region’s Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank ends year with record food distribution

    n 2007, Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank rescued and distributed a record 2,615,885 pounds of food – or enough food for 2.1 million meals for the 36,000 people who live in poverty throughout its eight-county service region (St. Louis, Carlton, Lake and Cook counties in Minnesota, and Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland and Iron counties in Wisconsin).

    Read More
  • Food drive pits Albert Lea against Austin

    For the first time ever, the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce has challenged the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce to a food drive on behalf of the Salvation Army food shelves in both areas.

    Read More