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This year’s Food Check-Out theme definitely isn’t a ‘stretch’
February 23, 2009 - 10:58am inWith the country’s current economic status, family food budgets are increasingly feeling the strain of fewer dollars to spend on items that seem to just keep getting pricier. People are concerned that they can’t afford healthy diets. Under the theme “Stretching Your Food Dollar with Healthy, Nutritious Food,” this year’s Food Check-Out Week, Feb.
Organizations offer help for those in need
February 23, 2009 - 10:57am inEveryone needs the basics — food, shelter, clothing, heat. Across Douglas County, programs that provide the basics are seeing an increase in clients. The need for food alone has jumped dramatically.
The Salvation Army in Superior served 60 individuals or families per week through its food shelf in January 2008.
"People's Bailout" for Minnesota safety net as recession deepens
February 10, 2009 - 8:23pm in“We need legislation that reflects the needs of the public, not just big business and Wall Street,” Sen. Tomassoni said.
The legislation proposes a two-year suspension of the current five-year limit on welfare benefits for low-income families. Currently, families are cut off welfare benefits after five years. This plan would allow families an additional two years of financial support.
Feeding Seniors in Tough Times
January 30, 2009 - 10:02am inAmidst a deepening recession and a frigid Minnesota winter, seniors throughout the state have become increasingly dependent on food assistance programs to ensure food security and proper nutrition. However, given the state’s current financial woes, the future of these programs is far from certain.
Food assistance programs play a vital role for Minnesota’s seniors.
Minn. Legislature approves unemployment extension
January 29, 2009 - 4:54pm inMore than 3,000 jobless Minnesotans would get extended unemployment benefits in the first bill to clear the Legislature this year.
The unemployment extension sailed through the House on a 117-11 vote, after passing the Senate unanimously two weeks ago.
The bill now heads to Gov.
Banking your tax refund to combat poverty
January 27, 2009 - 8:31am inAccountAbility Minnesota aims to help taxpayers keep every penny of it. One way they do that is by offering low cost “refund anticipation loans,” which loan people money up front against the tax refund they are expecting. AccountAbility Minnesota charges no more than $30 for such a loan, compared to the hefty prices charged by commercial tax services like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt.
Otter Tail County: Food pantries try to keep up with recent layoffs
January 22, 2009 - 2:18pm inOtter Tail County, Minnesota (WDAY TV) – Ottertail’s Thumper Pond is a place for chip-shots, hooks and summer slices, but this weekend, it will host an effort to help food pantries there swamped with people facing recent layoffs in otter tail county.
Both Lund Boats and Banner Engineering let people go, and now those workers are in need of the basics.
Martin Luther King's final dream: to 'outlaw poverty'
January 16, 2009 - 10:36am inIn such a Minnesota, “all people are provided those things that protect human dignity and make for healthy life: adequate food and shelter, meaningful work, safe communities, healthcare, and education.” To date, more than 6,000 Minnesotans have signed the Common Foundation.
In Minn., more turn to cash-starved state for help
January 5, 2009 - 10:05am inOne in four Minnesotans uses a state human services program, ranging from home-delivered meals for seniors to pregnancy care for the uninsured.
Federal funding doubled to counter higher heating costs
December 15, 2008 - 8:23am in“It’s gonna be a cold one.” We hear it every year.
The difference this year, however, is that winter heating costs are predicted to be 20 percent higher than last year, said Bill Walsh, communications director for the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
“Everybody’s going to pay more to heat their homes this year,” he said.
Luckily, those having trouble keeping up on their energ
