March Food Drive update: 1.25 million pounds of food down, 750,000 to go
It’s crunch time. Just one week remains before The Salvation Army’s March Food Drive draws to a close, and much more help is needed.
As of March 24, our generous supporters have given about 1.25 million pounds of food donations and cash equivalent. Another 750,000 pounds are needed by March 31 to reach our goal of raising 2 million pounds of food. Please donate now, or keep reading to learn about other ways to help.
Many Minnesotans are still hard at work supporting this drive. That includes the team at OneTenTen Homes, who have been collecting food donations at their office in Burnsville. The company has been supporting The Salvation Army for more than 25 years.
“We are hoping to fill up a couple of our builders’ pick-up beds with food boxes,” said company treasurer Paula Vollersten (pictured, foreground). “Giving back is a priority for (company founders) Bill and Carol Ryan.”
Giving back is a priority for Tareen Dermatology as well. The company recently donated $10,000 to the food drive – enough for The Salvation Army to buy about 55,000 pounds of food. That translates into more than 33,000 meals for families experiencing hunger insecurity.
The Star Tribune has also been a staunch ally of the food drive. This month the newspaper’s employees have hosted many pop-up food drives at local Cub and Slumberland Furniture locations, Mystic Lake Casino, and Target Center. (See photos of a pop-up food drive at Cub in Eagan featuring Minnesota Twins mascot T.C. Bear.)
The Salvation Army is urging you or your organization to help, too. Here are several ways to get involved before time runs out:
- Donate nonperishable foods during a special drive-up community weigh-in event on Saturday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Salvation Army headquarters in Roseville, 2445 Prior Ave. N.
- Donate online. All gifts will be matched, up to $10,000. A gift of just $50 will allow The Salvation Army to buy up to 280 pounds of food.
- Drop off nonperishable foods at Twin Cities metro area Cub grocery stores, Morrie’s auto dealers, Slumberland Furniture, Schuler Shoes, SPIRE Credit Union, or Salvation Army Store locations. In greater Minnesota, drop off nonperishable foods at your local Salvation Army Worship & Service Center anytime in March.
The Salvation Army’s March Food Drive is more important than ever, as everyday families struggle to afford food prices that have surged more than 11 percent – the highest rate since 1979. In 2022, Minnesotans made a record-setting 5.5 million visits to food shelves – and the need continues to rise.
The Salvation Army is on the frontlines of hunger in Minnesota, operating 22 food pantries and 13 hot meal programs in the state. Raising 2 million pounds of food will help restock our food supplies, which are being strained by increased demand and skyrocketing prices.
Video
Watch an important video featuring Salvation Army officers and everyday Minnesotans who explain why food donations are so important right now.