Food shelf guest stories might surprise you
Many of the people who rely on Salvation Army food shelves across Minnesota and North Dakota are not necessarily who you think they are.
Joanne, for example, works as an assistant at a public school nine months of the year. She must save her money during fall, winter and spring to support herself during summer break.
“No work, no money,” Joanne said, while waiting in line for groceries at The Salvation Army food shelf in Brooklyn Park, Minn (pictured). “I don’t do food stamps and I’m not on assistance, so this really helps.”
Next in line was Oliver, a retired logistics professional on a fixed income.
“I appreciate the food – every little bit helps,” he said.
After him was Wanda, a single mother with three teenagers at home. She uses the food shelf as little as possible.
“I come maybe two times a month, when I really need it,” Wanda said. “It helps a lot.”
These are just a few of the thousands of people who rely on Salvation Army food shelves in Minnesota and North Dakota. They are often your neighbors, friends and relatives.
Most of the groceries they receive from The Salvation Army are made possible by your donations of money or nonperishable foods. Other foods are “rescued” from local restaurants and grocery stores (watch KARE 11 video), such as meat from Chipotle and pizza from Papa John’s (both items pictured).
The Salvation Army also feeds hungry families through hot meal programs that last year served nearly 900,000 breakfasts, lunches and dinners, from Williston, N.D., to Rochester, Minn.
Several locations even offer summer food programs for kids.
“Serving food to people in need has been a top priority of The Salvation Army for 150 years,” said Lt. Col. Robert Thomson, Salvation Army commander of Minnesota and North Dakota. “It’s impossible for the people we serve to move forward, or listen to the Good News of Jesus Christ, on an empty stomach.”
Whether you live in Minnesota or North Dakota, here are two great ways to join the fight against hunger as July draws to a close.
N.D. State Fair: Give Food, Get Discount
Bring non-perishable food items to the North Dakota State Fair in Minot on Monday, July 20 and receive $1 off the price of admission, courtesy of Pride of Dakota. The food will be distributed at six Salvation Army food pantries around the state.
Donations Matched in Minnesota
Now through July 31, monetary donations made to select Salvation Army food shelves across Minnesota will be proportionately matched, up to $5,000, by Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless.
Donating is easy: Simply give online to the match or send a check to any of these participating Salvation Army locations: Albert Lea, the Brainerd Lakes area, Duluth, Fairmont, Hibbing, International Falls, St. Cloud, Virginia, and all Twin Cities locations.
Giving Nonperishable Food
Salvation Army locations in the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota and North Dakota welcome your direct donations of nonperishable foods. You can even donate produce from your garden. Find your nearest Salvation Army by typing in your ZIP code below.
Monetary donations are also appreciated. You can donate online to support food programs in your local community.