It takes a lot of food to satisfy 60,000 people for a traditional Thanksgiving feast, and, after the turkey, potatoes are arguably the most highly sought and ever-versatile nutrition staple. Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities and Edling Farms are working together to provide what is believed to be the largest Minnesota holiday feeding, one that 36,000 pounds of donated potatoes will surely help satisfy.

 

“This helps people who are struggling week to week to make ends meet,” said Rick Berggren, a Union Gospel Mission development associate. “A Thanksgiving meal is often out of the realm of their thinking, because some are just stretched too thin.”

 

Farmer Brett Edling with Edling Farms said his industry is a difficult way to make a living, with many challenges. “But, at the end of the day, if you can help someone else out, why not?” he asked. “I believe it was Jesus himself who said to help your neighbor and take care of the poor.”

 

Edling said his family’s 420-acres of harvested potatoes make up one of about 10 “fresh market” potato farms and four “process potato” farms in the Sherburne County area. The small to medium sized farm ships about 300 semi truckloads of potatoes a year that total about 12.5 million pounds. The No. 2 Russet potatoes for the Mission are odd shaped, cut or have a blemish on the skin, but still offer good quality for eating. The Edlings have donated potatoes to the Mission for six or seven years.

 

This is the 61st year of the annual Union Gospel Mission Thanksgiving food distribution effort, which dates back to 1958. “It really began as, and continues to be an opportunity for the community to share its gratitude and thanksgiving,” said Brian Molohon, Union Gospel Mission’s vice president of development.  “People need to know that God has not forgotten them and that there is evidence of the love of Christ in our community.”

 

Pickups for the potatoes are at Edling Farms at approximately 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., at 10455 115th Avenue Southeast in Clear Lake, Minn.  Deliveries are schedule for approximately 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Union Gospel Mission Men’s Campus, 435 University Avenue East in St. Paul.

 

To be loaded and unloaded are 17 totes weighing about 2,100 pounds each. These are essentially large, study bags placed on top of pallets.  The complete Thanksgiving effort involves about 800 volunteers with the Union Gospel Mission.

 

“We do what we can because, you never know, one day we might need some help,” said Edling.

 

The food bags are available only to those who pre-registered during specific dates in late October and early November. A free hot Thanksgiving luncheon meal is served on the holiday at the Union Gospel Mission Men’s Campus.  More information is available at ugmtc.org.

 

Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities provides Christ-centered, discipleship-oriented pathways and programs that restore dignity and wholeness to men, women and children. Shelter, housing, food and holistic programming are made available to help get men, women and children off the streets for good.