For years the Cook County Food Shelf has been helping community members who face situations such as unexpected medical bills, reduced work hours, or even unemployment. The Food Shelf has been there to help make ends meet with a box that supplies three nutritious meals for three days.
Food Shelf Board Chair Steve Deschene said unfortunately donations have decreased drastically in the last couple of years while expenses have steadily climbed. The Food Shelf makes the best use of donated funds by purchasing food from the Second Harvest Food Bank in Duluth to stretch the purchasing power of the remaining donations.
Food Shelf distribution day is normally Monday, from 3 – 5 p.m., however, due to a shortage last week, there was not enough food to fill boxes until a shipment from Second Harvest arrived on Tuesday, September 8.
Deschene said the Food Shelf expects to have normal hours for the rest of September –unless the organization runs out of food again.
Deschene said because of limited funds, the Food Shelf will also be reducing the amount of food vouchers that are given to clients. Vouchers are provided to supplement the food box contents with perishable groceries such as milk and bread. That cost-cutting measure will take effect in October.
The need can be great, so when you see a Food Shelf collection basket, please consider putting just one can or package in there. “Together we can make a difference,” said Food Shelf volunteer Gwen Lenz.
The Cook County Food Shelf is located in the First Congregational Church at Third Ave. West and Second Street. It is open 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. every Monday. There are also food distribution sites in Grand Portage and at Zoar Lutheran Church in Tofte.
For more information about the Food Shelf, contact Deschene at (218) 387-1767. To volunteer with the Cook County Food Shelf, contact Bill Lenz at (218) 387-9860.
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