Food Share month begins at local food shelves
News | Published on March 1, 2022 at 11:40am EST | Author: Chad Koenen
0Wouldn’t it be great if hunger wasn’t an issue for anyone?
For most people, it isn’t, but for many friends, relatives and neighbors, it is one of the most important issues facing their households, especially in a waning economy affected by the pandemic of the past two years.
Food insecurities are very real for 1 in 9 households in Minnesota. For the past 10 years, more than 3 million visits were made to Minnesota food shelves each year. If food shelves were open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, more than 7 people would visit a food shelf every minute. Most food-insecure households worry that they will run out of food before they have money to buy more, cannot afford a balanced meal or regularly skip meals, which is why local food shelves are so important.
On the local level, the Henning Community Food Shelf distributed 33,017 pounds of food and personal care items to clients who made a total of 397 visits to the food shelf in 2021. The local food shelf served 474 adults, including 246 seniors, and 244 children during the past year.
During the 41st annual Minnesota Food Share March campaign that runs from Feb. 28 through April 10, contributions of money and food are being sought to maintain local food shelves as the valuable community resources that they are. While food donations are always appreciated, your financial support is especially preferred during these months of continued Covid-19 concerns, according to Karen Stueve, Henning Food Shelf director.
If donating food items, please consider expiration dates. Also, open packages are not accepted and cannot be used, and any clothing donated is given to the Henning Salvation Army Thrift Store.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) weekly income guidelines of the USDA that run through June of this year are listed below for those eligible to use local food shelves. Those who don’t fit these income guidelines may also qualify if they participate in any state or federal program or service such as SNAP, WIC, energy assistance, free and reduced school lunches, etc. No one with a need is ever turned away other than to refer them to a food shelf nearer to their residence after providing them with food.
TEFAP Income Eligibility
Family Size Weekly Income
One- $322
Two- $436
Three- $549
Four- $663
Five- $776
Six- $890
Seven- $1,003
Eight- $1,117
Additional member add- $114
Henning’s food shelf program is always seeking to reach more of those in need. If anyone needs help, or knows of someone who could use these resources, could pick up food for them or give them a ride to shop for themselves, please contact the Henning Food Shelf. The Henning Food Shelf serves the residents of the Henning school district and non-residents whose children are enrolled in school here or whose job is in Henning and they are unable to shop at the food shelf where they live.
The Henning Food Shelf, located at 604 2nd Street in the old city hall building, is open on Mondays from 3:30-5 p.m. and other times by appointment by calling Karen Stueve at 218-583-2136. Financial contributions can be mailed anytime to P.O. Box 176, Henning, MN 56551.
Stueve said volunteers at the food shelf thanks the community for the past and continued support.