ARROWHEAD FOOD SHELVES REPORT INCREASED EMERGENCY FOOD DEMAND

Arrowhead food shelves receive year-end gift to help with 22% increase in need

ST PAUL, MN – December 19, 2008 – Local corporations and individuals organized the 2nd Annual Hunger Solutions Minnesota fund-drive last week on behalf of struggling food shelves in Minnesota’s Arrowhead region. $40,000 will be presented to the area food shelves on Monday.

“These sponsors will provide much needed resources for our food shelves that are under pressure to increase their capacity to meet the unusual demand for food assistance from middle class families,” said Colleen Moriarty, Executive Director of Hunger Solutions Minnesota.

Minnesota had 9.5 percent of its people living in households that struggled with hunger last year, up 1.5% from the previous year. In 2007 there were nearly 2 million visits to food shelves in Minnesota. There has been a 67% increase in food shelf visits in Minnesota since 2000.

According to Shaye Moris, Executive Director of Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, so far in 2008, Food shelf visits are up 22% in the Northland/Arrowhead. Forty percent (40%) of the food distributed by the Duluth & Crookston food banks feeds children. The immediate and long-term impacts of childhood hunger are detrimental to the entire fabric of our state.

State Senator Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook), is one of many who responded to the need of the food shelves in his Arrowhead district by attending the fund raising reception. “With the recession, job losses, falling wages, and rapidly rising food costs, it means that more and more families are stretched to the limit. We are doing are part to step out and help, and I hope all Minnesotans are taking some time to help others this holiday season,” said Bakk.

A check presentation is scheduled for:

Monday, December 22
4:00 p.m.
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA)
702 3 Avenue South,
Virginia, MN 55792

HOST SPONSORS:

Flint Hills Resources

Cleveland Cliffs

Thomson Reuters

MN Power

SUPPORTING SPONSORS:

AT&T

Lockridge Grindal Nauen

Best and Flanagan

Food Shelves to receive funding:

Aurora-Hoyt Lakes-Biwabik-Area Food Shelf

Chisholm Area Food Shelf

Cook Community Food Shelf

Deer River Area Food Shelf

Ely Food Shelf

Grand Marais Food Shelf

Grand Rapids Food Shelf

Hermantown Food Shelf

Hibbing Area Food Shelf Meadowlands Area Food Shelf

Northern Itasca Emergency Food Shelf

Proctor Food Shelf

Quad City Food Shelf-Gilbert

Silver Bay Area Food Shelf

Tower Area Food Shelf

Two Harbors Area Food Shelf

Warba Food Shelf

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Contact:

Jill Hiebert

Hunger Solutions Minnesota

jhiebert@hungersolutions.org

612-227-7906

Lydia Bohn

Lockridge Grindal Nauen

lkbohn@locklaw.com

612.242.5870

Julie Albrecht

Office of Senator Tom Bakk

julie.albrecht@senate.mn

651-296-8881

Bonnie Ebnet

Arrowhead RSVP & Northland Volunteer Center

NE Minnesota Food Shelf Network

AEOA, 702 3 Avenue South

Virginia, MN 55792

218-749-2912 or 800-662-5711 ext. 228

Shaye Moris, Executive Director

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank

4503 Airpark Boulevard

Duluth, MN 55811

(218) 727-5653, ext. 13

(218 341-5620

www.northernlakesfoodbank.org

About Hunger Solutions Minnesota

Hunger Solutions Minnesota is a comprehensive hunger relief organization that works to end hunger in Minnesota. We take action to assure food security for all Minnesotans by supporting agencies that provide food to those in need, advancing sound public policy, and guiding grassroots advocacy. www.hungersolutions.org
About Senator Bakk

Tom resides on Lake Vermilion near Cook, MN with his wife Laura. They have three adult children and one son in college. A legislator since 1994, Tom sees improving the standard of living for workers and their families as a key reason for serving in the Legislature. He has worked diligently to bring more value-added jobs and enhance tourism opportunities in northern Minnesota, and is committed to continuing those efforts. http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1003