Native communities give to Lakes Space Meals Shelf’s March marketing campaign – Pine and Lakes Echo Journal

PEQUOT LAKES — Officials at the Lakes Area Food Shelf in Pequot Lakes said area communities donated generously during its Minnesota FoodShare Month campaign.

“We could not be more grateful for the local support we received during our March food and fundraising campaign,” food shelf director Kathy Adams said in a news release. “Schools, churches, families, grocery stores, cities, townships, seniors, local businesses, foundations and other nonprofits, civic groups, kids who shared their allowances, Lakes Area Food Shelf board members, volunteers and staff, friends and neighbors who rely on the food shelf – all generously gave, and we are profoundly grateful.”

The FoodShare Campaign, sponsored by the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, is critical to Lakes Area Food Shelf’s financial sustainability. The food shelf continues to see a dramatic increase in families in crisis.

In 2021, the food shelf served 4,657 people; in first quarter of 2022, alone, it has served almost 2,600, with new families arriving every day. Food purchase costs have doubled, as has food distribution each month.

A food shelf participant shares how the food shelf helps.

“My life changed, here, in this place. I was darn hungry when I came here. Unemployed. No place to live. No heat. No electricity. No car. I came here for food, but what I got was all of you. You became my friends, listening to my hardship stories. Telling me I could take some steps to make things better for myself, like get a job. I never thought I was worth too much, you know. I was afraid to try for a job, really. It took me while to get up my courage, but I did it. I got a job. Now I got a place to live! I can pay child support and maybe even get my license back. It’s not all perfect, but I think I’m doing OK.”

The community food shelf invites everyone to stop and visit, meet the volunteers, tour the facility and learn more about what the food shelf does.

Contact the food shelf at [email protected] or call 218-568-8474 to schedule a time to visit.