The Clearwater Clear Lake Food Shelf participated in the food shelf challenge from Hunger Solutions Minnesota and Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless during the month of July, bringing in $5,246 to help the area’s hungry. The money raised will be proportionally matched by challenge funds.

 

Although the need is always there, visits to the food shelf rise during the summer months, as families need more food for kids who are home from school. This July, the Clearwater Clear Lake Food Shelf served 270 people, distributing 8,106 pounds of food.

 

The Clearwater-Clear Lake Food Shelf’s board has determined four priorities for the organization, feeding the hungry, providing nutritional food, building the board and increasing their volunteers. 

 

Board Member Judy Warren explained they want to build the board in order to represent more areas of the community, and they’re always looking to get more businesses and organizations involved. 

 

The food shelf is run entirely by volunteers, with the exception of a part-time paid coordinator. This position is new this year for the organization, and they’re currently looking for a person to fill it. 

 

“Everybody in the community is very supportive,” said Warren. “And it takes a community to keep it running.”

 

Since 1986, Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless has targeted millions of dollars to fight hunger in Minnesota. They fund the purchase and transfer of more than one million pounds of fresh produce, meat, and dairy products to food shelves every year. Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless also provides grants for food shelves and food banks to get the equipment they need—like freezers, shelving and trucks—to be able to serve the growing number of Minnesotans who can’t afford enough food for their families.

 

Hunger Solutions Minnesota is the statewide organization that coordinates this challenge grant opportunity. Hunger Solutions works to end hunger via the Minnesota Food HelpLine and by advancing fair public nutrition policies on behalf of hungry Minnesotans. Hunger Solutions also connects Minnesota’s food shelves with funding and technical assistance to support the 9,000 daily food shelf visits. 

 

The Clearwater-Clear Lake Food Shelf is located in the Lions Community Building in Clearwater, and is open Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., and Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m.

 

People interested in the coordinator position can visit the food shelf’s Facebook page, email cclfs2954@gmail.com, or mail qualifications to Clearwater Clear Lake Food Shelf, PO Box 324, Clearwater, MN 55320.