The Big Lake Community Food Shelf (BLCFS) must vacate by May of 2027 and are looking for new property to build on, buy, or lease. 

They currently operate out of a 1,600 square feet space within Big Lake City hall, which is to be demolished and the land sold. 

The BLCFS will not fit in the new city hall location due to a bonding issue. Due to a state statute, the city cannot take on debt for building anything other than city provided services.

The food shelf was given notice in December that they must vacate by May of 2027, giving them just over two years to prepare for the move. 

The food shelf has been a part of the community since 1993, and has been housed in the city hall since 1995.

Demand for the shelf in Big Lake is high and seems to be increasing

Nearly a million pounds of food was distributed in 2024, serving over 5,000 people, with an average of 155 pounds of food going to each household every single month.

“I think what people don’t really understand is how much the need, how big the need is, how many people in our community are struggling,” says Sandy McClurg, executive director.

The need for food seems to be increasing as well, as the amount of households they serve has already shot up 5 months into 2025. 

“It’s almost double what it was from last year, the number of people that we’re seeing, which is crazy,” says McClurg.

The BLCFS purchases some of its food from Second Harvest, a nutrition assistance program that provides food shelves like the BLCFS with cheap food to distribute.

The BLCFS is also supplied by donations from Cub foods in Monticello, Otsego Target, and the Otsego and Elk River Coborn’s.

According to McClurg, free donations have been seeing a decrease. 

“Recently, we started getting much less of our food rescue. It just went down. It just sort of tanked.”

She says many stores are having to cut back and it is not specific to these locations at all.

“So donations are down. Use is up. It’s not a good combo, yeah. And then to face this move on top of it is a little scary,” says McClurg.

Hanna Klimmek, Big Lake city administrator says that despite the city’s inability to house the BLCFS and the Chamber of Commerce in the future, 

“The City has an excellent relationship with both entities and completely supports their mission and service to the Big Lake community.” 

Those interested in donating to the food shelf can drop off food or other items during their hours on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday. 

Check online at blcfs.org for more specific information or to donate online.