<ay, March 3, Staff at Carleton (SAC) sponsored The Food Shelf Luncheon to kick off Minnesota FoodShare Month and to raise awareness and financial support for the local Food Shelf program.
During Minnesota FoodShare Month, “all cash and food donations made to the [Northfield Community Action Center] (CAC)…stay in Northfield. CAC uses them to serve income-eligible, school district residents through the Emergency and Sustaining Food Shelf programs. In addition, the donations earn the Food Shelf a share of the undesignated corporate donations made at the state level and grant money from the Feinstein Foundation.
The Northfield Community Action Center (CAC) has participated in the Minnesoata FoodShare Campaign to raise hunger awareness and financial support for their Food Shelf program for 27 years
According to Christine Krejci, the chair of the luncheon, the CAC Food Shelf is currently serving a record number of families, and donations are more important than ever. In 2008, an average of 1,103 people living in Northfield received food at the CAC Food Shelf each month, 42% of them children.
“In 2008, the Northfield CAC distributed 357,254 pounds of food. In 2008, the Northfield CAC served an average of 385 housholds per month- a 20% increase over 2007,” she said
Judy Bickel, CAC Program Director, and Lauren Blacik ‘09, Carleton ACT Program Director, both spoke at the event.
Bickel said, “Hunger affects everyone. When members of a community work together, the nourishment received goes far beyond food. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors.”
“More people that we are serving now are people…that never thought they would be in this situation,”said Bickel, “They are the people that gave and volunteered. Please trust me that I spend your dollars wisely. Times are tough this year, I’m a little worried about raising the money, but it is not the time to turn our backs on the people that need us most.”
“A place like the Food Shelf is more than just a social service…what makes a strong community is looking out for every member- the ones we know and the ones we’ve never met,” said Blacik
For every dollar raised during the March FoodShare Campaign the Northfield CAC can purchase about four pounds of food. Four dollars of each luncheon ticket sold, along with the canned goods and cash donated during the luncheon, will go directly to the Northfield CAC.
In addition, a check in the amount of $1,063.64 will be presented to the Northfield Community Action Center. “I’m really proud of our Carleton community. They really came through in a great time of need,” Krejci said.
The Luncheon was hosted by special event committee members: Christine Krejci, Chair, Susan Bovbjerg, Cindy Grisim, Krista Herbstrith, Linda Irrthum and Linda Luedke.