Minnesota’s most vulnerable people are making do with much less this Thanksgiving. Recent statistics show that visits to food shelves in the state totaled more than one million from January to June this year, an increase of 26 percent compared to last year.

Sue Kainz, campaign coordinator with Minnesota FoodShare, says the good news is that food shelves are stocked and ready, thanks in part to 10 million pounds of commodities coming from the U.S. government as part of the stimulus plan.

“That 10 million pounds has really, really helped the food shelves stay in business, but I think it’s also important to realize that’s only one-fifth of the food that was given out this year; the rest has to come from people like you and me.”

Kainz asks those in need not to wait until their pantries are bare, because there is help available for all immediately. And she’s asking that those with the ability to give consider food shelf donations.

“We hope that they dig as deep as they can this year, that those of us who have the ability to give to local food shelves do that, because the need is so great.”

Another way Minnesotans can help: the Walk to End Hunger is being held in the Mall of America in the Twin Cities on Thanksgiving Day. All proceeds benefit hunger organizations.

With unemployment and other economic indicators continuing to worsen in 2009, Kainz says there are likely many more people struggling with hunger than their recent report found.

Minnesota has a toll-free “Food Helpline” (1-888-711-1151) that connects those in need to local emergency food assistance.

The “Walk to End Hunger” at the Mall of America is planned 7 to 10 a.m. on Thursday. More information is available at walktoendhunger.org

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