Sherry Hanson is the new Clearwater/Clear Lake Food Shelf coordinator.

 

Hanson, who was hired in August, has an extensive background in the food service industry as well as community service.

 

Years ago, she worked for Child Care Choices, a non-profit in St. Cloud, verifying claim reimbursements for daycare providers.

 

She was the food production manager for Elim Care in Buffalo and food service director in Princeton.

 

She also worked in the Becker Schools food service department and was the food service director at Maple Lake Schools.

 

Hanson has also worked with the Becker Women of Today and as a member of the Becker Parks & Recreation Committee.

 

Her new 20-hour per week position is the first paid position for the food shelf, and with it comes the responsibility to expand and increase services to those in need.

 

She is responsible for the day to day operations of the food shelf, which includes distribution of food, purchasing of food through vendors as needed, promoting the food shelf, recruiting volunteers, maintaining records for the facility, managing distribution of holiday baskets and representing and promoting increasing awareness of  the food shelf.

 

“We want to grow awareness of our services by building relationships with local businesses, service agencies, civic groups, the government and the media,” says Hanson. “We have to get out into the community and overcome the barriers of getting our food in the hands of those in need.”

 

One of the immediate goals is developing a method of transportation to get food to clients, such as distributing food to convenient locations and home dropoffs.

 

“We’re trying to make it easier  for clients who might be homebound or don’t have transportation,” says Hanson. “We’re trying to make it more accessible so they’re not hungry and they’re able to feed their families.”

 

Hanson has been on the job for three weeks, and was at the food shelf Monday morning as vans packed with food were being unloaded by volunteers. It was part of the “food rescue” program from local supermarkets that donate perishable food approaching its expiration date.

 

“We do food rescue from Target on Monday and from Coborn’s on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,” says Hanson. “A lot of the foods are healthier choices: bakery items, salads, yogurt, vegetables, deli items and pre-made sandwiches.”

 

Another goal is increasing the nutritional value of the food through the purchase of food through Second Harvest Heartland and grocery stores, and helping clients prepare healthy meals.

 

“We want to offer classes to create more awareness and get back to the basics for healthy meals,” says Hanson. “We’ve gotten into a convenient world. Our classes could help clients with heathy cooking and with their budget.”

 

The food shelf has over 30 volunteers who collect, transport food and serve clients.

 

Hanson says another goal is developing expanding the volunteer base to serve as board and committee members as well as shift volunteers.

 

The food shelf has been especially busy this year, serving 2,533 clients since January with 92,331 pounds of food.

 

Local businesses and members of the community have continued to step up and donate food to support the food shelf. But less than half comes from food donations.

 

In August, 131 households comprising 387 individuals received support from the food shelf. The community donated 5,496 pounds of food. But 12,186 pounds were distributed.

“So you can see we can always use more donations, not only food, but personal care items and paper products,” says Hanson.

 

She wants to remind the public that many of those who receive support are hard-working families.

 

“The food shelf helps clients stay employed and productive citizens while getting through difficult times,” she says. “And we would not be able to do this without the help of the generous community,  local churches, businesses, organizations and dedicated volunteers.”