Feeding our own

That is why each of the entities, in separate ways, will again participate in the 2010 March Food Drive in coordination with Minnesota FoodShare and the Alan Feinstein Foundation.

It is one of the most essential community service campaigns of the year. Ever growing are the numbers of local people in need, new families who without the organizations’ services — would go hungry.

But Beverly Mayfield, corps administrator of the local Salvation Army, and Nancy Anderson, director of the local food shelf, each say that they have trust in the local community to once again rise up and feed its own — because they always have.

“We’re so lucky, in fact I’m so lucky,” said Anderson, “because we have so many people that are generous in our community. It’s just remarkable, particularly with the population of this area.”

Mayfield agrees. “I want to say thank you for the great support and the love that people here have for their neighbors throughout the year,” Mayfield said. “They’re so giving. When they know the need, they’re there.”

The March Food Drive

The largest food drive in the state, the 2010 FoodShare campaign is more critical than ever locally because of the rising numbers of households using the FHC’s food shelf and The Salvation Army’s Emergency Food Pantry.

Throughout this month, individuals, businesses, schools, churches and civic groups are encouraged to be creative in donating toward these local efforts. The FHC theme for the campaign this year is “Be a Super Hero.” Monetary donations, as well as food, are vital during the campaign.

The reason this particular drive is so important is because it is a time of the year when the amount of dollars and food raised at the local level determines the amount allocated from the FoodShare. While not a matched amount, the higher the donations at the local level, the higher the allocation received.

Live Auction March 13

As part of the campaign, the local Salvation Army will hold its sixth annual live auction on March 13 to raise money for its Emergency Food Pantry. The auction begins at 11 a.m. at the Union Hall.

Once again, donations of auctionable items from the community are requested. Gently used household items such as furniture, appliances and exercise equipment are needed. Clothing, other than wedding gowns or special apparel, is respectfully discouraged, she added.

Last year, the auction raised $5,000 toward the Emergency Pantry. The pantry is a recourse for people who have already been served at the local food shelf, but are still struggling through the month, Mayfield said. She noted that a critical need can almost always be answered at local facility, seven days a week.

The Emergency Food Pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. “If they’re hungry, we will serve,” Mayfield said. However, it is requested that whenever possible, visits be scheduled by calling 283-3374.

Donations during the March Food Drive, or anytime, can also be made by credit card at www.thesalvationarmy.com. All donations are used locally.

The Salvation Army is a not-for-profit, Christian-based organization.

Falls Hunger Coalition

Anderson reports that the FHC’s food shelf served a dozen new families per month, and 312 families per month total, on the average in 2009. More than 159,000 pounds of food were distributed to Koochiching County families last year.

While local donations have not decreased, a shortage has been created because of the growing number of people in need, she said. She added that fruit juices, canned meats, stews and chili — foods that are “expensive for all of us to purchase, let alone donate,” are habitually low on the shelves.

During the food drive, Anderson said she is often asked by donators whether it is best to give food or money.

“That depends,” Anderson said, and explained the FoodShare allocation terms under which money and pounds of food are added into one sum: “If you give me a dollar, it counts as $1 or 1 pound of food. So if green beans (in about 1-pound cans) are three for $1, I’d rather you give me the three cans.

“But if you can’t get three for a dollar,” she continued, “funding (dollar donations) is awesome. If it’s easier just by writing a check, we’re thrilled with that.”

Anderson also explained that dollar donations, when used to buy food through the Grand Rapid’s Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, brings sweet returns. The average cost of foods per pound through Second Harvest, including delivery costs, is about 28-32 cents. This is far lower than the average cost per pound of food in a grocery store. But the agency also shops locally for food, she said.

Monetary or food donations can be made at the food shelf at 1000 Fifth Street, International Falls. FHC may be contacted at 283-8020 or fallshungercoalition@gmail.com.

FHC is also not for profit and has been serving local people in need since 1989.

Making a difference

Mayfield reminds the public that providing food for another person’s body also nurtures that person’s psychological state.

“For children in school, adults too — they don’t concentrate when they’re hungry. I shared with kids at the school that we all need nutrition, both mind-wise and physically.

“Giving, when you help feed the hungry, has a positive effect on that person’s life. You may not know who you are feeding, but it helps improve the quality of life for all of us. And you may not think that what you give is much, but it goes a long way to help feed those that come to us in hunger.”

Anderson said that she appreciates a community which is not only generous, but knowledgeable about its hunger needs.

“How grateful I am as the director (of FHC) for the support I get from the community, and in turn for the people who need our support. It’s a full round-robin.”

Mayfield agrees.

“When they give, they make a difference,” she said.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

To help feed Borderland’s hungry, individuals and groups are encouraged to support the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign by donating money or food to the following:

• Falls Hunger Coalition, 1000 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN 56649; 283-8020.

• The Salvation Army Emergency Food Pantry, 1301 Third Ave., International Falls, MN 56649. Credit card donations may be made online at www.thesalvationarmy.com. Donated items are also needed for the March 13 Live Auction, a fundraiser for the Emergency Food Pantry, at the Union Hall.

Salvation Army Live Auction

11 a.m., March 13 • Union Hall in the Falls

Donated auction items are needed. Call 283-3394 to request pick up of gently used furniture, household items, appliances, exercise equipment and other items for auction.

The community is encouraged to attend on auction day.

All donations are tax deductible for the 2010 tax year, and all go directly to help local people.

Community is essential during March Food Drive