The Dassel City Council gave a $300-monthly contribution at last night’s council meeting for the rental space that would house a Meeker County Emergency Food Shelf branch pending approval by its board of directors.

“There is an incredible need,” said Mayor Mike Scanlon, who has been in strong favor of the idea from the beginning stages and would like to see the food shelf operating for Christmas distribution.

Meeker County Emergency Food Shelf Director Brenda Voigt wants to be serving clients by January in the building which houses Opsahl Plumbing and Heating on Atlantic Ave. West in downtown Dassel.

The decision is now pending approval of the food shelf’s board of directors which is scheduled to meet sometime Friday.

As of Sept. 30, the Meeker County Emergency Food Shelf had 59 visits from district three which consists of Dassel, Collinwood, and Ellsworth townships and the City of Dassel.

In 2008, there was a total of 107 visits from that same district, according to Voigt.
The food shelf would be staffed by volunteers and hours would be depending on need and staffing abilities, Voigt said. Donations come from individuals, churches, civic organizations, and schools.

The food shelf also purchases items from Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank out of St. Paul.