The Falls Hunger Coalition and The Salvation Army food pantry in International Falls brought in a combined total of about $68,000 or pounds of food donations in March.
The two organizations participated in the statewide March FoodShare campaign, which set a new record for the state this year. Minnesota FoodShare gives participating food shelves throughout the state an increase to their monetary donation, depending on how many pounds of food or dollars were donated in March each year by the community.
Statewide, FoodShare participants, including Falls Hunger Coalition and The Salvation Army, raised almost $8.5 million in donations and another 4.4 million pounds of food in March. This year was the 30th annual campaign.
Falls Hunger Coalition brought in about $29,000 in donations and another 19,657 pounds of food. Last year, the pounds of food raised were almost identical, but the monetary donations were higher in 2011 by about $10,000.
Each year, Falls Hunger Coalition aims to raise 60,000 pounds of food or dollars donated combined.
“We used to, several years ago, hit close to 60,000 — about five to eight years ago,” said Falls Hunger Coalition director Nancy Anderson. “I just think the changes have to do with the economy. Everybody has been affected by the downturn of the economy — whether they have enough to get by or not.”
The decrease over the years in monetary donations is not that people are unwilling to donate, she added.
“Even the people who have money to donate, it isn’t the same dollar amount, with the changes in the economy,” Anderson said. “There isn’t much left to donate.”
The Salvation Army in International Falls, which operates an emergency food pantry, also participated in the March FoodShare program. The Salvation Army’s annual live auction, of which all proceeds go to the food pantry that month, brought in about $4,200. In addition, the community donated almost 3,000 pounds of food to the pantry.
The monetary donations are “down considerably” this year, compared with last year’s number of about $7,600 brought in from the auction, according to Beverly Mayfield, envoy at the local Salvation Army. She added that “the amount we raised this year is almost the lowest we’ve had since our first year.”
Last year’s auction did better, likely because an estate was donated to The Salvation Army for sale in the 2011 auction, Mayfield said.
“There’s a big difference in the amount we had raised,” Mayfield said. “But we’re always thankful for what we receive. It’s a gift from the heart, and it helps us to help feed the hungry.”
The food shelves are able to use monetary donations to buy foods from a food bank at a reduced cost than would be at the grocery store, Anderson explained.
“We can at least double what a person can buy for $5 at a grocery store,” Anderson said.
Anderson echoed that no matter the amount, donations are always appreciated.
“We are very grateful for the support we get from the community, whether we make our lofty goal or not,” Anderson said. “It’s still helping those in our community who are in need.”
She reminds the community not to forget about the food shelf during the summer months, when children are out of school and food shelf use is typically higher.
“People are in need year-round, whether there’s a big promotional food drive or not,” Anderson said. “As is everyone, we’re very definitely hopeful for a turnaround in the economy. What a difference it makes when people are donating regularly.”
Upcoming food drives or fundraisers for the food shelves include the annual Crop Walk on May 6 this year, which will raise funds for both food shelves.
A food drive through the International Falls post office will take place May 12, when food placed next to mail boxes that Saturday will be picked up by postal carriers and delivered to Falls Hunger Coalition.
March 2011 and 2012 total local food shelf donations:
Falls Hunger Coalition The Salvation Army
2012 $29,100 and $4,206 and
19,657 lbs. of food 2,973 lbs. of food
2012 total local donations: $33,306 and 22,630 lbs of food
2011 $39,000 and $7,642 and 19,752 lbs. of food 1,590 lbs. of food
2011 total local donations: $46,642 and 21,342 lbs of food
