Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign: Time to stock the food shelves

WILLMAR - Volunteers were hard at work Monday at the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf in Willmar, one of nearly 300 food shelves statewide to benefit from the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign happening now.

Minnesota FoodShare is a program of Greater Minneapolis Community Connections. The March campaign brings together various community organizations, businesses and faith communities to help stock food shelves.

According to its website, the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf serves an average of 600 families a month across the county, and 40 percent of recipients are 18 years or younger. For more information, visit kandiyohicountyfoodshelf.com.

According to Minnesota FoodShare's website, more than $8.1 million and 5.5 million pounds of food were raised in 2018 by Minnesota food shelves and Minnesota FoodShare. More than 280 food shelves participated last year, and $300,000 was distributed to them via the Minnesota FoodShare FoodFund.

To date, more than $17.5 million has been distributed via the Minnesota FoodShare FoodFund to food shelves participating in the March campaign. Minnesota FoodShare began its work in 1982 to restock food shelves in the Twin Cities. The effort was so successful and the need so evident, the March campaign became a statewide program just one year later.

1/3: Erica Dischino / Tribune Bryan Edberg puts food in a cart Monday at the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf in Willmar. The local food shelf serves an average of 600 families a month across the county.

2/3: Erica Dischino / Tribune Volunteer Matt Crowley packs water bottles Monday at the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf in Willmar.

3/3: Erica Dischino / Tribune Kandiyohi County Food Shelf inventory specialist Tonia Danielson moves food in the stock room Monday at the site in Willmar. The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is underway to help stock food shelves in the state.