Just because the stock market is on an upward trajectory doesn't mean everyone is reaping the benefits of the economic wealth. In Minnesota, local food shelves are witnessing a continuous increase in demand for their services.

Uniting to Address Food Security Challenges

Neighborhood House's Food Distribution Growth

The Neighborhood House food shelf in St. Paul distributed a remarkable 665,000 pounds of food to 4,600 families in 2023. However, this year, their efforts have expanded significantly, with 980,000 pounds of food reaching 6,500 families. This substantial growth highlights the escalating need within the community. Janet Gracia, the president and CEO of Neighborhood House, emphasizes the importance of a collaborative approach. She states, "Addressing this issue requires a united effort. That's why we are truly grateful for the governor's dedication to food security and supporting local food shelves like ours."This growth is not an isolated incident. Across the state, about 300 food shelves are experiencing a busier year compared to the previous one. Sophia Lenarz-Coy of The Food Group, a non-profit focused on coordinating healthy food for food shelves, notes that last year, there were approximately seven and a half million visits to food shelves in Minnesota. This year, they are on track to reach almost nine million.

Governor Tim Walz's Commitment to Food Security

Governor Tim Walz made a significant decision by reallocating $5 million from the American Rescue Plan fund. This money is aimed at helping families still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. During a visit to Neighborhood House on Monday morning, Walz said, "This is a challenging time for families. We were able to identify the remaining funds in our American Rescue Plan and are proud to announce that we can provide five million dollars to our food shelves across Minnesota during this holiday season."The state has about 300 food shelves, and most are seeing an increase in demand. With this $5 million in funding, food shelves will be able to apply for a portion. A strict tracking system will be in place to ensure that the funds reach the families most in need. Tikki Brown, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families, explains, "With this amount of funding, food shelves will need to submit a letter of inquiry and agree to certain conditions. Based on that, we will distribute the funds appropriately."The state still needs to allocate another $6 million from the American Rescue Plan before the year ends. The Walz administration will disclose the details of where this money will be directed later this week.For a comprehensive view of community Thanksgiving meals offered across the state, click here.For related stories, explore: COVID, Food Shelf, Governor Tim Walz, Tom Hauser.