ST PETER — Of course, it’s always important to help out the local food shelf. These are, after all, your neighbors.
But during March, donations will take on added importance.
Donations this month to the St. Peter Area Foodshelf — and a number of other food shelves around the state, including ECHO in Mankato — will earn those food shelves credit they can use to purchase items needed by food shelf clients.
The program is funded by Minnesota Food Share, which has been sponsoring it since 1983.
This year, however, food co-ops around the state are teaming up to rally communities around local food shelves.
“We have driven this to be a citywide initiative to benefit the St. Peter Area Foodshelf,” said the St. Peter Food Co-op’s Jennifer Luhmann. “March is very important for food shelves.”
Luhmann said they’ve reached out to local businesses and so far 13 have become donation locations.
“It’s been going great,” Luhmann said. “We’ve really been pushing for the money. They have a small facility, money is easier to store and they can also purchase the specific things they need.”
Most food shelves in Minnesota work with Second Harvest and are able to acquire food at greatly reduced prices. Based on how much food and money food shelves collect during March, they’ll earn credits to purchase food at Second Harvest. The credits are funded by Minnesota Food Share.
Karen Smithers, of the St. Peter Area Foodshelf, said the March food drive is crucial to the people they serve.
“It helps cover us for a good share of the year,” Smithers said. “We rely on various civic groups and organizations and businesses, not only in March but throughout the year.”
Smithers said they’ve seen more people in need in recent years. Food shelf use is up about 16 percent. This event and the Postal Service’s food drive in May are their two biggest food drive events.
The community of St. Peter, Smithers said, has been generous.
“The area we serve has been absolutely astounding how they’ve stepped up for us,” she said. “And the St. Peter Food Co-op has stepped up in getting businesses involved. I can’t thank the community enough.”
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Related Photos
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A group of preschoolers arrives at the St. Peter Area Foodshelf to drop off food donations. During March, food and monetary donations brought to food shelves will earn the extra buying power at Second Harvest, a food program that sells items to food shelves at reduced prices. John Cross
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Volunteer Evelyn Gunderson is one of many who donate their time to the St. Peter Area Foodshelf. John Cross
St. Peter, other communities helping food shelves
Donations in March can help some shelves earn credits
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