March Food Shelf Campaign

Written by Cheryl Sistad

The 2020 Minnesota Food Share March Campaign for Hunger Awareness has begun. The Grygla-Gatzke Food Shelf is requesting food and monetary donations during the month of March. The program runs from March 1st through April 12th. The food shelf is eligible to receive funding from Minnesota Food Share based on the funding raised and the amount for food items donated (number of pounds). 

We currently have 33 family units registered (26 ages 1-17, 55 ages 18-64 and 5 over age 65) and serve and average of 19 households each month. During the year, we purchased 8,519 pounds of food through the North Country Food Bank and additional food was purchased as needed (plus another 1,398 pounds of food was donated) and we distributed 10,098 pounds. An additional 19 food baskets for Easter (304 pounds), 23 baskets for Thanksgiving (459 pounds), and 21 baskets for Christmas (587 pounds) were also distributed. After the milk program through the NCFB ran out, we continued to buy milk and later added eggs to our inventory.

Last year we raised $13,038.56 in funding. $2,637.45 was from churches, $9,000.11 from grants, businesses and organizations and $1,401.00 from individuals. 

Disbursements included $3,600.00 for rent, $4,273.44 for groceries from the North Country Food Bank, $4,334.49 for groceries locally, $150.00 dues, $236.16 grocery totes, $79.28 check blanks and deposit slips, and $110.63 misc. (postage, newspaper ad, etc.) for a total of $12,784.00.

So far, I’m aware that the Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla is doing their friendly competition between the north and south pews for the “Pack the Pews” program. Grocery bags are placed along the aisles for the donations. There is a grocery cart set up at the Grygla Coop Store to accept your donations and the Natural Way Flour Mill in Middle River is planning on making a donation.  There is lots of time left to get your donations in.

We encourage you to consider making a donation to the Grygla-Gatzke Food Shelf during the month of March to take advantage of the state matching funds. Donations can be sent or given to our Treasurer of the Grygla-Gatzke Food Shelf, Lori Thompson, 222 Evelyn Avenue, P. O. Box 105, Grygla, MN  56727. Enclosed are some promotional items for your use.

Thank you for any assistance you may be able to give to the Grygla Gatzke Food Shelf.