Governor Mark Dayton, Lydia Bjorge, an employee at Lockridge Grindal Nauen in Minneapolis, Minnesota Viking Jared Allen and Senator Tom Bakk hosted the fifth annual “Stock the Shelves” event in St. Paul on December 7. This event raises proceeds dedicated to Arrowhead regional food shelves.
Senator Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, hosted a 5th annual hunger relief fund drive with special guests Governor Mark Dayton and the Vikings’ Jared Allen at The Liffey Irish Pub in St. Paul on December 7. This annual “Stock the Shelves” event raises proceeds dedicated to Arrowhead regional food.
Senator Bakk works with Hunger Solutions Minnesota on this event. He said, “Due to the poor economy and high unemployment, food shelves are struggling to meet the increased demand. More and more families are stretched to the limit and relying on food shelves to eat. We are doing our part to help, and I encourage all Minnesotans to take some time to help others this holiday season.”
According to Hunger Solutions Minnesota, between January and August of this year, there were 249,062 visits to Arrowhead regional food shelves, a 24 percent year-to-date overall increase. Adult visits increased by 30 percent. Child visits increased by 16 percent. Senior visits increased by 20 percent.
The event began five years ago when Iron Range food shelves were having trouble keeping their shelves stocked into the holiday season. Lydia Bjorge, an employee at Lockridge Grindal Nauen in Minneapolis, called Senator Bakk’s office and asked how she could help. Together, they raised over $60,000 in one week. This has become an annual event drawing in over $200,000 and guests like the governor and Vikings players Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen.
Numerous regional food shelves are assisted by the event, such as Aurora-Hoyt Lakes-Biwabik-Area, Chisholm Area, Cook Community, Ely, Grand Marais, Grand Rapids, Gilbert, Salvation Army Hibbing and Virginia, Silver Bay Area, Tower and Warba.
If you would like to follow Senator Bakk’s lead and contribute to our local food shelf financially, donations may be mailed to Food Shelf, P.O. Box 95, Grand Marais 55604.
Non-perishable food donations can also be dropped off at the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op, Johnson’s Foods, St. John’s Church, Bethlehem Church and the First Congregational Church. The Food Shelf is located in the First Congregational Church at Third Ave. W. and Second Street. It is open 3:00 – 5:00 PM every Monday.
For more information or the Cook County Food Shelf, contact Bill Lenz (218) 387-9860.
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