Grand Rapids Food Shelf Kicks Off Annual March Campaign

February 23rd, Grand Rapids, MN – Throughout the month of March, the Grand Rapids Food Shelf is joining with over 300 food shelves across Minnesota to collect donations of money and food. These donations will support local efforts to help feed people in need and reduce hunger in our community. When congregations, businesses, schools or service clubs participate in the March FoodShare Campaign, the Food Shelf will make sure that the food and funds collected provides hunger assistance for people in our community who need it most. 

This year, the theme of the Grand Rapids Food Shelf’s March FoodShare Campaign is “Be a Hunger Hero.” “Due to the reality that one out of nine families in the greater Grand Rapids area turns to us for assistance, the need is greater than ever,” according to Ellen Christmas, Program Manager of the Grand Rapids Food Shelf. “In order to keep the shelves stocked and meet the need, we count on local support to provide food and hope to many families trying to keep food on the table. Every effort or contribution, large or small, helps us to continue to feed people. March is the time of year we can leverage additional dollars for the food shelf through donations because of the FoodShare Campaign and the Feinstein Challenge,” she added.

In 2011, the Food Shelf distributed food to over 2,500 individuals every month. Our current resources cannot meet need for the increasing number of families turning to us for help. That is why we are asking for generous support from the entire community. Every March, Minnesota FoodShare, a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, organizes Minnesota's largest food and fund drive for the hungry. FoodShare is a grass-roots driven food and fund drive that raises awareness about hunger in Minnesota where statistics show 1 in 4 Itasca county children do not have enough food to eat.  All food and funds contributed locally stay in the area but are counted towards the statewide goal of 12 million pounds and dollars. 

There are many ways to become a Hunger Hero; donate to your local food shelf, host a food drive, or become a hunger relief advocate by taking action to end hunger.

For more information contact Program Manager, Ellen Christmas at 218.326.4420 or exmas@secondharvestncfb.com.