New children’s book highlights importance of March Food Drive
Medina resident Karri Theis and her family love collecting food for The Salvation Army’s March Food Drive so much that Karri has featured their efforts in a new children’s book she authored.
The book is titled “Little Miss Jean and the Time Machine.”
“The book shows examples of simple things our family did to create meaningful, memorable moments while spending time at home during the pandemic,” Karri said.
Some of those simple things included writing letters, cooking, dancing, and collecting food for those less fortunate.
The book features a two-page spread (pictured below) showing a family collecting food outside their home – a scene inspired by the day that Karri and her two daughters, ages 9 and 13, collected 110 pounds of food from their neighbors during last year’s drive.
“Since the Salvation Army does such incredible work around the globe, and a community food drive is something so relatable and easy to do, it seemed fitting to include it in the story,” Karri said.
The family plans to host another neighborhood food drive this Saturday. They’ve been advertising the drive on their neighborhood’s Facebook page and by emailing and texting their neighbors.
“Since last year's event (pictured right) was so successful, we wanted to do it again,” said Karri, adding that her family’s goal is to double the amount of donations they received last year. “Finding ways to give and help others is so important, whether it be someone you know or someone you don't.”
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.
The Salvation Army operates 22 food shelves and 13 hot meals programs in Minnesota, providing nutritious food for tens of thousands of Minnesotans.
Get involved
You can start a food drive of your own by collecting 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.
If you’d prefer to support the food drive in a different way, there are many more options:
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.
Donate your own food: In the Twin Cities, drop off nonperishable foods March 1-31 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.)
Buy a Star Tribune newspaper on Sunday, March 20: Inside the newspaper you’ll find a brown paper bag. Fill the bag with nonperishable foods and bring it to a participating Cub grocery store. See a map of all drop-off locations.
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.