Tag: food shelf volunteers

Serving with Pride on the East Side

Let’s just get a few issues taken care of up front…
Getting help from a food shelf might have some stigmas surrounding it. Something like people aren’t working hard enough, or people are abusing the system, or they don’t really need it… Well, after volunteering at my church’s food shelf for a while I can assure you that the people using the food shelf services are just like ALL OF US. And ALL OF US deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. K, I’m hopping off my soap box now 😉

Stocked and ready to go!

I am pumped for the increased access to good food for our neighbors on the East Side of Saint Paul.

Merrick Community Services has opened a SECOND East Side food shelf location in order to bring more food to more people! That goal of more evenly distributed, healthy food options is what drives Samantha Soriano, Merrick Food Shelf Manager.

Samantha invites you to the Dedication and Open House of their new location this Saturday, September 23! The Theme is “Putting Down Roots” and you know I love that 🙂 There will be food from local East Side food trucks and restaurants, games, inflatables, activities, tours of the new food shelf, all coinciding with the Block Party hosted by the church they are housed within, Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church. Continue reading

Fresh at the Food Shelf

Admit it, your first image of a food shelf doesn’t really look like the above picture, does it? Food shelves have been working hard to get healthier foods into their clients’ kitchens. The trend has been towards more fresh produce and less processed foods. Of course, many non-perishable staples are well, still staples of the food shelf. But with focused effort the fresh options have increased dramatically.

WBAEFS Staff at the 2016 Community Roots Garden Party

Andréa Kish-Bailey (just left of the bear)Executive Director of the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf (WBAEFS) states as a central goal of the organization to “Increase access to healthy food to our neighbors.”  And they’ve been doing just that since Andrea came on board two years ago.

Partnering with generous groups and companies like Bear Power, Costa’s Greenhouse and Farm , Heinel Farms, Tamarak Nature Center, and the Vadnais Heights Farmers Market has made a big difference in the kind of food available. Healthier food offerings coupled with the promotion of healthy eating practices are making a difference in our neighbors’ overall health.

 

Neighborhood Hub
Even before you walk in the doors of this food shelf, you’re greeted with one of the town’s signature white bear statues, so it feels more like a neighbor’s home than a Food Shelf. The genuine smiles from volunteers welcomed visitors at the front desk. When I visited, there were neighbors waiting to shop at their appointed time, all chatting it up together.
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