The Becker Food Shelf remains open and ready to meet the community’s needs as the calendar flips to 2024.

For the past 35 years, the food shelf has operated out of Becker City Hall and the volunteer-led organization will continue operations there, albeit under a new leader.

Coordinating the food shelf is a “full-circle” moment for Marilyn Danielson, who took the reins in November with the passing of Janet Boettcher.

Ironically, the two had worked together to help launch the food shelf 35 years ago.  And even with an increased demand, Danielson and her group of volunteers have been working hard to ensure that community members have a place to come and get what they need to keep themselves and their families fed.

“We want people to know the food shelf is still here,” Danielson says.  “We plan on it being here forever.”

Operations

The Becker food shelf is a 501(c)3 organization, meaning that it operates as a nonprofit and donations to it are tax deductible.  As it has been since its inception, it is run by a group of volunteers and no one, including Danielson, receives any type of salary for their work.  The Becker Ministerial Association plays a key role in its operation, as local clergy members constitute the Board of Directors.

The food shelf is currently open two days a week, Tuesdays from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and Thursdays from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., and is open to residents that live within the boundaries of the Becker School District. 

Danielson says that donations of both money and food have been strong from the community, and both are key to keeping the shelves stocked.

“A lot of our donations are from local residents” Danielson says.  “We also get a fair number of anonymous cash donations.”

People can donate in a number of ways, including dropping it off in an envelope at City Hall or by mailing checks to P.O. Box 181 in Becker. There is also a large box in the front entry of City Hall for nonperishable food items.

Danielson says they are grateful for all food donations, but offers the tip that “average” sized packages are usually the best to meet the needs of the users.

Currently, about 35 families utilize the food shelf on a weekly basis, with some as small as one person and some as large as nine.

Several companies with local ties are also frequent donors to the charitable venture, ensuring that the community has what it needs during times of hardship.

Local Connections

Danielson coordinates some food orders through the Second Harvest food bank, but also notes that she has already forged a strong relationship with Bill’s Family Foods in Becker.

“Bill’s has been really flexible with us,” Danielson says.  “They have been absolutely great to work with and very generous.”

Local churches are continual supporters and different school groups such as the National Honor Society continue to bolster the cause with donations.

Danielson feels it is important to keep fostering connections within the community and to keep the donation money spent locally whenever possible.  

In addition, she relies on local volunteers to keep the operation running smoothly, noting that Sherburne State Bank employees really stepped up during the recent transition.

“I really appreciate their help,” says Danielson, who has been in contact with other area food shelves to see how they operate.  “For now, we are running it status quo, but we continue to consider any adjustments that need to be made moving forward.”

Demand

Demand for the food has been strong, as grocery prices continue to increase at levels not seen in decades.

According to the USDA, grocery prices increased by a blistering 11.4% nationally in 2022, the largest increase since 1979.  In Minnesota it was even worse, with a 12.52% increase reported by the Government Accountability Office during that same period. USDA statistics showed another increase of 5.8% in 2023 and they predict another above average increase of 2.9% for 2024.

These surges in food prices, coupled with the persistent inflation battering the economy, point to continued strong future demand for food shelf usage.

That’s where Danielson and her group feel called to help fill the void.

“We want people to be aware that we are here,” Danielson says.  “We are here on behalf of the community to help those that need it.”

A simple mission, but one with a meaningful impact for the Becker community.