Food drive profile: Donations help high-energy mother, grandmother
Your donations to The Salvation Army’s March Food Drive help Minnesotans like Carolyn.
Carolyn, 65, is a hard-working mother, grandmother, and caregiver. Three of her adult children have autism and live with her. She also provides daily care for four of her grandchildren who also have autism.
“It’s challenging,” Carolyn admitted. “But I was born with a spirit to give the gift of life, so as long as I have life and energy, I’m going to share it with others.”
If there’s one thing Carolyn has, it’s energy. She has spent decades working nights in the healthcare industry, rarely sleeping more than four hours per night. But her motor won’t quit.
“If I slept eight hours, people would probably think I was in a coma,” she said with a laugh.
Through the years, Carolyn has counted on Salvation Army food programs to get her family through – including her 11 adult children, 26 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
“Whenever times are really desperate and I don’t have the (means) to make a full meal for my kids and grandkids, I can count on The Salvation Army for help,” said Carolyn, who has lived in St. Paul since 1973. “I appreciate The Salvation Army being here in my neighborhood.”
Carolyn has fallen on tough times recently. Several weeks ago she was forced to begin collecting unemployment, for the first time in her life. But she is confident she will be back on her feet soon.
“I need to go back to work as soon as I can,” she said.
Until that day comes, Carolyn knows that she and her family will receive all of the food they need to get by, thanks to The Salvation Army and our supporters.
“I’m grateful for The Salvation Army,” she said. “I appreciate them being here to help people like me and my family.”
The Salvation Army operates 22 food shelves and 13 hot meals programs in Minnesota, providing nutritious food for tens of thousands of people like Carolyn.
Our March food drive aims to raise 2 million pounds of food, which is equal to about 1.2 million meals. That’s about 25 percent of the meals The Salvation Army Northern Division distributes annually.
Get involved
Please help The Salvation Army raise 2 million pounds of food by donating nonperishables, hosting a food drive, giving a cash donation, or volunteering.
Donate food: In the Twin Cities, drop off nonperishable foods March 2-31 at any SPIRE Credit Union, Schuler Shoes, Morrie’s auto dealer, Salvation Army Store or participating Cub grocery store. See a map of all drop-off locations.
In greater Minnesota, drop off nonperishable foods at your local Salvation Army Worship & Service Center anytime in March.
(High-demand foods include pasta, rice, and peanut butter, plus canned items such as fruit, veggies, and soup.)
Host a food drive: Collect nonperishable foods from friends, neighbors, coworkers, church members, and others. We will send you a Food Drive Starter Kit that includes tips and promotional materials for your website or social media.
When you’ve finished your collection, bring your food to The Salvation Army’s headquarters in Roseville on Saturday, April 2 for a special drive-thru weigh-in event. (Read about successful grassroots food drives from last year’s collection.)
Give a cash donation: Help us feed hungry families by donating online at 2MillionPounds.org. A gift of just $50 feeds 69 people for a day.
Volunteer: Got extra time? Support our food drive by helping us unload delivery vehicles, weigh food, stock shelves, and more. Sign up to volunteer now.
Additional food drive sponsors include WCCO and KS95.
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