WILLMAR - For the sixth consecutive year, the Willmar Area Food Shelf will participate in the $150,000 Food Shelf Challenge Grant.
According to a news release, every monetary donation made to the Willmar Area Food Shelf in July will be partially matched by Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless up to $5,000.
Eighty-one of Minnesota’s 300 food shelves will vie for a slice of the $150,000 pie which will be divided proportionally based on how much each shelf raises. Food donations do not count toward a shelf’s total.
In July 2014, the Willmar Area Food Shelf - which serves all of Kandiyohi County - raised roughly $13,000 and received $1,361.62 in grant dollars. The shelf’s 2015 goal is $2,000, according to its news release.
“We have no way of knowing whether we’re going to get $500 or $4,000 at this point because it depends on how (much) all the (participating) food shelves across the states raise,” said Kari Goldschmidt, who is currently serving as the shelf’s interim director.
In July 2014, participating food shelves across the state raised more than $1 million try to harvest a portion of the Open Your Heart Grant Money. Open Your Heart funds the purchase and transfer of more than 1 million pounds of fresh produce, meat and dairy products every year through Hunger Solutions Minnesota.
The Willmar Area Food Shelf serves over 800 families per month on average but has already helped 311 families in the first five days of July.
HOW TO DONATE
To donate, stop by or mail a check to 624 Pacific Ave S.W., Willmar MN. Donations can also be made online at www.willmarafs.org or on the food shelf’s Facebook page.
