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.

Unprecedented use of food shelves in our state and around the country have set off alarms in the hunger community and now those alarms are sounding in Washington DC.

While you struggle to meet the needs of those you serve it is more important than ever that we access every federal dollar that Minnesotans are entitled to receive. We have been working towards an improved nutrition title in the Farm Bill and more funding for Food Support in the economic stimulus bill. But, that will be effective ONLY if more people who are eligible for Food Support actually enroll in the program.

Towards that goal we are supporting the new Bridge to Benefits program that the Children’s Defense Fund launched earlier this year. Please take a look at the tool on their website and enroll in training if possible so that you can inform your clients of every federal benefit they are entitled to. If that is not an option for you, please use the short form that access benefits that is available from the Office if Economic Opportunity.

If you have any questions, please contact us and we will do everything possible to help you help those that you serve.

Together as hunger fighters, we are a mighty force!!

Colleen