The Food Group has partnered with 20+ local organizations to say we are here and we will continue to deliver nutritious foods to our food shelf and meal program partners. Food is available, and more is on the way.
To our Minnesota community,
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged all of us in unprecedented ways, leaving most of us unsettled and fearful about what the future may hold. To all those in our community who are worried about food scarcity in your household during this pandemic, we are here for you as your Minnesota hunger-relief organizations. We want to say clearly that you are not alone.
Our organizations—food banks, food shelves, meal programs and other nonprofits—are accelerating our efforts to fill every cupboard. We are resolute, certain in the knowledge that access to food is the lynchpin of any crisis response, especially one in which we’ve asked people to stay home, minimize interaction and take especially good care of themselves. In response to calls for help that doubled last week and are on track to triple this week, we have provided millions of meals since the crisis began. We are prepared to deliver millions more in the days and weeks to come.
The increase in need has many causes. Restaurants, businesses and schools are shuttered, and pandemic-related layoffs have surged. Prior to the pandemic, 1 in 11 Minnesota households struggled to put enough food on their tables. In the current environment, that number has undoubtedly increased dramatically.
Our message to the community is simple; we have food available, and more is on the way. We are united and working round the clock to serve our community. We are coordinating our efforts with one another and with Governor Walz’s office.
If you are in need of food support, please visit www.hungersolutions.org/find-help. If you have children, contact the school district in which you live to find out what nutrition resources are available during this time. Most school districts will not require enrollment of your child in the district in order to receive assistance; help is available to all children who reside within a district’s boundaries.
Minnesota’s greatest asset is our ability to work together to solve our community’s problems. We will get through this pandemic together.
We are here for you. We are #MNStrong.
Sincerely,
Your Minnesota hunger relief organizations:
Jessica Francis
Executive Director
Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf
Anika Rychner, Program Director
Scott Wopata, Executive Director
Community Action Center of Northfield
Clare Brumback
President
Community Emergency Assistance Programs
Mike Lloyd
Executive Director
Community Emergency Services
Shawn Morrison
Executive Director
Good in the ‘Hood
Jonathan Palmer
Executive Director
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc
Chris DuFresne
Board President
Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf
Colleen Moriarty
Executive Director
Hunger Solutions Minnesota
Peg Keenan
Executive Director
Intercongregation Communities Association Food Shelf
Mary McKeown
President/CEO
Keystone Community Services
Cathy Maes
Executive Director
Loaves and Fishes MN
Daniel A. Rodriguez
Executive Director
Merrick Community Services
Nancy Q. Brady
President
Neighborhood House
Charles D. Thompson
President and CEO
Neighbors, Inc.
Lisa Baker
Program Manager
Ralph Reeder Food Shelf
Allison O’Toole
Chief Executive Officer
Second Harvest Heartland
Sophia Lenarz-Coy
Executive Director
The Food Group
Rob Williams
Executive Director
The Sheridan Story
Tracy Maki
Chief Executive Officer
Valley Outreach
Joe McDonald
Chief Executive Officer
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People
Perry Petersen
Executive Director
White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf
Jeff Mortensen
President & CEO
360 Communities