One in nine Minnesotans are expected to face hunger in the coming months — including working families, children, seniors and post-secondary students. March is typically a challenging month for Minnesota food shelves, as the number of families being served the first months of the year and the amount of food going out the door is considerably greater than the amount coming in during the same period.
This March, Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf joins other food shelves, faith communities, businesses and organizations across Minnesota in acting to end hunger and food insecurity during the 40th annual Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, March 1 through April 11, the largest annual grassroots food and fund drive in the state.
Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf hosts its 11th annual Pack the Porches Food and Fund Drive from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 19, at two locations. Nonperishable food donations may be dropped off at Pioneer Place on Fifth (22 5th Ave. S., St. Cloud) or St. Cloud Hyundai (900 2nd St. S., Waite Park). Coborns will match all food and fund donations up to $10,000.
Cash donations are also accepted at either location on the day of the event or donations can be made online at www.ccstcloud.org/donate.
“We are blessed to work with individuals and groups in this area that see the need to support our program,” said Catholic Charities Emergency Services program manager Sue Hanks. “The dollars and efforts from our community partners are a critical factor in allowing us to feed the hungry. Together we can make a difference and strengthen our community.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hours to bring food donations to Catholic Charities Emergency Services are limited to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. at the loading area of its location at 157 Roosevelt Rd., St. Cloud, Door D (at the back of the building). It is requested that donations are not left outside the door as they must be collected and weighed by Catholic Charities staff to ensure food safety standards and inventory tracking. Apart from these hours, call 320-229-4560 or email info@ccstcloud.org to coordinate another drop-off time.
Additionally, Holy Spirit Knights of Columbus Council 12098 hosts “Pick up Today and Enjoy Tomorrow,” a chili drive-thru fundraiser for the Catholic Charities Food Shelf, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 19, at the church. The menu includes a quart of homemade chili ($8), two quarts chili ($15), a loaf of garlic herb French bread ($3), a loaf of St. John’s bread ($6) or The Special — two quarts and two garlic loaves ($20).
Pre-orders are recommended by calling or texting 320-250-5390 or emailing htrothstein@yahoo.com. Write checks to Holy Spirit Knights of Columbus. Cash donations are appreciated. All proceeds will be donated to the food shelf. (This event will be repeated Saturday, March 20, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.)
Visit www.ccstcloud.org/minnesota-foodshare to learn more about Minnesota FoodShare and the March campaign.
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