The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive kicks off Feb. 28
The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive kicks off Feb. 28 to support Minnesota families without enough to eat. You can help throughout the month of March by giving money, donating food, volunteering, starting a food drive, or rounding up at Cub grocery stores (more details at bottom).
This year’s food collection is critically important after a new local study exposed an alarming reality: About 1 in 5 Minnesota families are now relying on food shelves to make ends meet. Another new study revealed that Minnesotans made nearly 9 million visits to food shelves in 2024 – shattering the all-time record of 7.5 million visits set in 2023.
The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to serve this critical need. We are one the largest providers of emergency food services in Minnesota, with hot meal programs and 25 statewide food pantries that together provide an average of 8,100 daily meals for Minnesotans in need.
“We humbly ask the community to give generously so that we can keep our food pantries stocked throughout 2025,” said Lt. Col. Randall Polsley, leader of The Salvation Army Northern Division.
Your support of the food drive will help people like Carolyn (pictured), a 68-year-old matriarch from St. Paul who has 12 family members under her care:
- Four of her adult children, all of whom live with autism
- Four grandchildren who also live with autism
- Four great-grandchildren
In 2022, Carolyn retired from her decades-long career working nights at a hospital. She now spends all of her time and energy serving her family.
With all the challenges Carolyn and her family face, they simply could not make it without help from The Salvation Army.
“I’m thankful and grateful that we still have people in this world who are willing to help those who are in dire need,” Carolyn said. “They’re not saying, ‘It’s not my fight. Not my worry.’ I know we can’t save everybody at one time, but trust me – you’re saving 12 people right here.”
How to Help
Please support The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive by donating nonperishables, hosting a food drive, giving a cash donation, volunteering, or rounding up at Cub grocery stores. Your generosity will fill the stomachs of Minnesotans hungry for help.
Donate food in the Twin Cities by dropping off nonperishables such as pasta, peanut butter, and canned goods Feb. 28–March 22 at our Twin Cities partner locations below.
You can also bring food to the KARE 11 news studio, 8811 Olson Mem Hwy in Golden Valley, during a special weigh-in event on Wednesday, March 26 from 3–6 p.m. Throughout March, KARE 11 personalities will gather donations through their “Food Fight” food drive to support The Salvation Army.
Download a grocery list of high-demand and culturally-specific foods.
Donate food in greater Minnesota by dropping off nonperishable foods Feb. 28–March 31 at your local Salvation Army Worship & Service Center.
Donate online: Help us feed local families by giving online. Your donation will be used to purchase food for Salvation Army food pantries nearest to your billing ZIP code.
Round up at Cub: Shop at local Cub grocery stores in March and round your purchase up to support our food drive. Whether you give one penny or 99 cents, your small gift will have a big impact when combined with other Cub shoppers who choose to contribute.
Host a food drive: Collect nonperishable foods from friends, neighbors, coworkers, church members, and others. Drop off the food you collect at our partner locations or at KARE 11 (8811 Olson Mem Hwy, Golden Valley) during their special event on Wednesday, March 26, from 3–6 p.m. (Read about successful grassroots food drives from previous years.)
Volunteer: Do you have time to spare? Support our food drive by helping us unload delivery vehicles, weigh food, stock shelves, and more. Sign up to volunteer.