Food Shelves Ask for Fresh Produce As Demand Surges
In this season of giving, people who help fight hunger in the Twin Cities are making a plea for fresh produce.
Experts say the need for fresh produce at food shelves has never been greater.
At Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners in Plymouth, they’ve seen a 14 percent increase in the number of people coming to their food shelf.
“Budgets are already tight, and people are trying to find ways to make ends-meet,” said Kevin Ward, the executive director of Interfaith Outreach. “And food is one of those places that, I think, if they can get some support, it could potentially free up some room for those other things in their lives around rising costs. Utilities, gas, those type of things.”
Ward says the families who come into the food shelf request items like fruits, vegetables, milk and eggs more than any other items.
Thursday, the CEO of Second Harvest Heartland, a Brooklyn Park-based food bank, helped pack food with volunteers to highlight the critical need for produce.
Allison O’Toole (right), helps volunteers at Interfaith Outreach sort apples.
“Produce is such an important staple for families all year around, but especially right now,” said Allison O’Toole, the Second Harvest Heartland CEO. “And again, we’re just seeing historic need. We need to all come to the table to help with this. The good news is that we can all help.”
People can help by volunteering and providing financial donations. For more information on how to help Interfaith Outreach, check out their website.
Related: Second Harvest Heartland: Families Still Struggling ‘At Historic Rates’
