Final push: 425,000 pounds of food needed by March 27
The Salvation Army and our supporters are extremely close to achieving our goal of raising 2 million pounds of food in March. So far, 1.575 million pounds of food has been collected, with another 425,000 pounds to go.
You or your organization can help us reach this important goal by donating nonperishable foods on Saturday, March 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Salvation Army headquarters in Roseville. This special weigh-in event will include a contactless drive-thru model that follows all COVID safety protocols. The first 25 people to donate will receive an autographed mini football helmet from the Minnesota Vikings.
This historic food drive is the largest ever attempted by the Twin Cities Salvation Army. It has been organized to better serve the record numbers of people and families coming to us for help during the pandemic. This includes Lynne of St. Paul, a single mother raising two teenage boys who live with autism.
“I’m grateful for The Salvation Army – they’re my second family,” said Lynne, who, thanks to Salvation Army supporters, is able to receive special foods to accommodate her youngest son's highly restrictive diet. (Read Lynne’s story.)
A groundswell of people, organizations and businesses have supported this food drive during the past month. Example: Medina resident Karri Theis and her two daughters were among countless families to host a neighborhood food drive (read story). In just 90 minutes, the trio collected nearly 110 pounds of food from their neighbors.
“It was the easiest thing in the world to do,” Theis said. “I’m trying to teach my girls to do these kinds of things because it has a huge impact. It doesn’t take much to help others.”
The Salvation Army operates nine food shelves in the Twin Cities and has provided about 3 million meals locally during the past year. An infusion of 2 million pounds of food – equal to about 50 semi-loads – would provide 1.2 million meals, ensuring that struggling families can keep food on the table during the pandemic.
If you can’t make it to the weigh-in event on March 27, you can still help by donating online or dropping off nonperishable foods at any SPIRE Credit Union, Morrie’s Auto Dealer, Cub grocery store, or Salvation Army Family Store location in the Twin Cities now through March 26.
Video
Watch the video below for an inside look at what a typical day is like distributing food at the West 7th Salvation Army in St. Paul, one of nine food shelves operated by the Twin Cities Salvation Army.
Media coverage
It takes an Army of community support to raise 2 million pounds of food – including help from the Twin Cities media. Below is a small sampling of the many local newspapers and TV stations that are helping The Salvation Army get the word out about this historic food drive.
• Star Tribune story about the growing need for food in Minnesota.
• KSTP Channel 5 story about Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer donating to the food drive.
• Pioneer Press story about our food drive.
• WCCO Channel 4 story about the need for donations.