Throw a stone into a placid body of water, and where the rock falls, ripples are created and move outward from it. 

ICE enforcement in Minnesota is, for some, a pebble, barely noticed, and the waves have been inconsequential. For others, ICE has been a large boulder that has created a tsunami that threatens lives. In the communities of Big Lake and Becker, distinguishing between pebbles and boulders largely depends upon where you stand.

Boulders

Brooklyn Park, MN-based Second Harvest Heartland works to end food insecurity for Minnesotans in need. The recent ICE enforcement surge has created new issues that they are trying to address. In a story on their website, the issue is this: “The presence of federal agents in our community means some of our neighbors are afraid to leave their homes to visit the grocery store or food shelf. To make sure people have the food they need right now, Second Harvest Heartland is providing emergency boxes full of pantry staples to partners.”

The presence of federal agents in Big Lake and Becker has been difficult to measure, but the presence of people and organizations who are ready to help neighbors in need is not. The Big Lake food shelf has already received 300 emergency boxes from Second Harvest. Each box contains enough food to feed a family of four and includes items like pasta, rice, beans, canned tuna, baking mix, and cooking oil. Through local aid organizations, they have all been picked up and are being distributed. 

Food Shelf Executive Director Sandy McClurg has received the boxes for one simple reason — “People need food and deserve to be fed.”

That concern for people was echoed in an email statement from Harvest Church Pastor Kevin Drehmel. 

“At Harvest Church and through our nonprofit, Compassion Connection, our posture is rooted in our biblical convictions,” he said. “We believe we can both respect and follow the laws of our land — including supporting lawful pathways for immigration — while also loving and caring for our neighbors who are here and experiencing fear or tangible needs. Those two commitments are not in conflict for us; both can be true at the same time.

In this season, Compassion Connection, Harvest Church, and Heartland have linked arms to serve families in the local communities by helping meet practical needs such as food and essential supplies. 

“Our focus is not political — it is simply caring for people with dignity and compassion, consistent with our mission to serve vulnerable families,” Drehmel said.

In a follow-up email, Drehmel explained the plight some in our community are experiencing. 

“Many of the families we encounter are experiencing heightened uncertainty and anxiety right now. Regardless of legal status, when enforcement activity is highly visible or discussed publicly, it can create fear, confusion, and hesitation to access everyday resources. Some families are concerned about stability, routines, or simply navigating daily life with confidence.”

For those who are here legally, we’ve observed that the climate can still be emotionally complex,” Drehmel continued. “Situations like this often prompt reflection on belonging, identity, and security — even when documentation is not in question. While their experiences vary, it’s not uncommon for people to feel unsettled or cautious during seasons of heightened public attention.”

Harvest, the organization that Harvest Church partners with, noted that families in hiding not only need food, but also medicine, health and dental care, and diapers and formula. Their children have been missing school. Many of these families pay taxes and are being denied services that could help them.

When parents are seized, their children are left behind and are now more vulnerable to child trafficking. Crimes are going unreported, especially missing person reports, as families assume it is because of ICE that their family members have gone missing. Citizens feel they need to carry their passports and citizenship papers because they fear arrest and detention. 

Pebbles

Becker Food Shelf Coordinator Marilyn Danielson and Board Member David Johnson said they have not seen any uptick in demand for food or heard of any families in need because of ICE enforcement. Johnson is the Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Becker and has not heard of any need there, either. 

How to Help

Donations can be given to the Big Lake Food Shelf. To coordinate a drop-off or receive help, contact 763-263-2432. McClurg is asking for personal care items. The emergency boxes only contain food. Those items are useful year-round, especially in this season of uncertainty. Items include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, and detergent. She gave this guidance, “Think, ‘what would you need if you couldn’t go to Target? ‘”

Laura Gibson of Harvest is asking for more specific items. She wrote in an email, “The greatest and most immediate needs are: feminine hygiene supplies, baby formula, and diapers/pull-ups.

Additionally, they desperately need: laundry detergent, dryer sheets, cooking oil, Maseca flour, sugar, personal hygiene supplies (deodorant, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, baby items, lotion, razors, shaving cream), baby wipes, and cleaning products.