Food Shelf News

Food shelf use jumps as fuel prices take a toll

hunger — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:35:13 -0500

Demand at area food shelves has soared as rising fuel prices take a bigger chunk of household budgets.

Valley Outreach struggling to fill empty shelves

hunger — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:32:47 -0500

The organization has increased its space, increased its staff, and increased its donation intake. At the same time, though, the non-profit’s food shelf needs have increased 60 percent from three years ago, with a record number of children and elderly now requesting items.

Use of Northfield food shelf is growing

hunger — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:51:28 -0500

Food and fuel price increases have caused many in the Northfield community to visit the local food shelf and Thursday’s Table just to make ends meet. Local farms working hard to keep transportation costs low are still feeling the sting of high grain prices.

High food prices pushing some over the edge

hunger — Sat, 24 May 2008 09:18:18 -0500

The high food prices that have pushed so many Americans to their limits are beginning to push some over the edge.

Bill, who lives in Hopkins with his wife and four children, has begun to go to a food shelf once a month for a free load of food that lasts 2-3 weeks.

“They said we earn too much to get food stamps,” his wife, Wendy, said.

As fuel and food prices increase, so do numbers of middle class seeking help

hunger — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:29:00 -0500

“Summertime is ‘such’ a difficult time for families, because kids are out of school, and they’re at home,” Barker reasoned. “They have to feed their kids two extra meals a day, and then they have to take care of childcare, and all that adds up.”

In fact, Barker expects 200 new clients to sign on for the food shelf and other services each month this summer.

Woman scouts Oakdale to open new food shelf

hunger — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:31:15 -0500

“I was normally the one that was always giving to the food shelf, choosing a family at my children’s school or church to help during the holidays,” she says. “It’s very uncomfortable when you’re not used to being that person (needing a helping hand). ... I just want people to know they’re not alone.”

Food drive is a group effort

hunger — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:17:16 -0500

In Duluth, four food shelves benefit from the food drive: The Union Gospel Mission, Churches United in Ministry, the Salvation Army and Vineyard Christian Fellowship. They’ll divvy the food up in the coming days.

CHUM got about 40,000 pounds of food last year. It gives away about 5,000 pounds of food a week, so the Letter Carriers Food Drive should last the food shelf about two months.

Food bank reports more people seeking assistance

hunger — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:49:27 -0500

International Falls Hunger Coalition reported that 44 more households visited the food shelf in the first three months of 2008 compared to the same time period in 2007, representing an increase of 11 percent.

Deer season is six months away, and hunters need more information

hunger — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:22:47 -0500

Last year I authored a bill giving Minnesota hunters an opportunity to give harvested deer for processing to food shelves free of charge. Prior to the passage of the bi-partisan legislation, hunters had limited or expensive options to donate their venison. Hunters immediately made use of the program, donating thousands of pounds of venison distributed to 68 participating food shelves statewide.

Food rescue program helps feed the hungry in the Twin Ports

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:13:03 -0500

Carol Perkins climbed into the refrigerated truck parked behind the Salvation Army in Duluth.

“OK, what you got?” Perkins cheerfully asked the truck’s driver, John Kleppe, as her eyes scanned the shelves filled with food inside the truck.