The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign brings together organizations, businesses, faith communities and individuals to help keep 300 food shelves in Minnesota stocked throughout the year. You can help by donating to your local food shelf during the month of March. You might also consider signing up if there are open volunteer roles there.
“I’ve been talking with staff and volunteers at the food pantries across our region, they are seeing a sharp increase in the numbers of individuals experiencing food insecurity. They are bracing for higher demands as pandemic programs end and grocery store prices rise,” said SWIF Youth and Community Program Officer Amy Brustuen. “That means many of our neighbors are finding themselves in need of help, including those who likely haven’t experienced food insecurity before.”
Hunger Solutions Minnesota uses data to help tell the story of hunger in Minnesota. According to their research, Minnesotans made 5,505,100 visits to food shelves in 2022, a record high. This is nearly 2 million more visits than in 2021 and 1.7 million more than the previous record set in 2020. Read the full Hunger Solutions report online.
The March Campaign is a great reminder and opportunity to support local food shelves that ensure reliable access to food in our communities for everyone. In southwest Minnesota, we have 40 local food shelves that support our neighbors. If you’d like to participate in the FoodShare Campaign, we encourage you to make a donation to your local food shelf this month. Visit our interactive map to find a food shelf near you and see how you can donate.
Hunger Can Happen to Anyone
There is no single root cause of hunger. For many, it’s ongoing and persistent. Their household incomes simply aren’t enough to cover the grocery bills and other expenses, especially with inflation and skyrocketing food prices. No one can reach their full potential when they’re hungry. And hunger is more common than many think. Second Harvest Heartland shares what the face of hunger looks like in Minnesota and Wisconsin – hunger looks like all of us.
If you lack access to enough food for an active, healthy life, you can find free groceries, prepared meals, ongoing hunger relief benefits and other programs and services that you may be eligible for at Second Harvest Heartland.
About Minnesota FoodShare
For 41 years, Minnesota FoodShare has worked to address food insecurity and poverty by engaging communities throughout the state via education and state and federal advocacy efforts. Minnesota FoodShare also provides resources to food shelves and food distribution programs across the state through the annual March Campaign.
