Steele County Food Shelf

Annual Meeting

In the year 2000, we served over 331,000 pounds of food to hungry people in Steel County. In 2006, we served 465,465 pounds of food to hungry people in Steele County. If you’re interested in how we do this or, maybe better, why we exist and have to do this, come to our meeting on September 17, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at Torey’s Restaurant in Owatonna. Or callus at 507-455-2991.

Clients as Volunteers

From time to time, the Food Shelf has been fortunate to have on our Board someone who uses the Food Shelf. Only rarely has a customer or client of the Food Shelf volunteered to work at the Food Shelf, helping other clients. A few months ago, two clients came forward, asking if they could volunteer at our Food Shelf. After about two months of working at the Food Shelf, the two women agreed to give an interview for the newsletter. To protect privacy each was asked to choose an alias for this story. Earlier in life, “Julie” and “Amber” had worked together for about two years for the school lunch program. Now, at ages 69 and 67, respectively, they are retired, living in the same subsidiz

Invisible Unmet Needs

Until we or someone we really care about has a need for food, shelter, or protection, we tend to assume that all is well. Or, we my think that those who don’t have what they need deserve not to have it. Mostly, when we’re O.K., we tend to think that everyone else is pretty much O.K. So, when the City of St. Paul, Minnesota, recently asked if anyone needed an affordable apartment they were surprised at the response. What follows, below, is a portion of a longer article that appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, on April 21, 2007. The excerpt is reprinted here with the generous permission of the Pioneer Press: 11,000 Cram Rent Aid Wait List St. Paul housing agency stunned by deman

Take A Fall Walk And Help The Food Shelf

People young and old are invited to meet in Owatonna’s Central Park at 1:30 on Sunday, October 7th for the Steele County Crop Walk. At 2:00 pm we’ll begin walking the 4.2 mile route. Prior to the walk, have your friends and family pledge to donate so much per mile using a Crop Walk pledge form obtained by contacting your church or by calling Crop Walk Chairperson Bob Stark at (507) 451-4616. Bring your kids, your neighbors or just yourself, but by all means come out for the walk to see your community and help us raise money to fight hunger. The Food Shelf receives a significant share of all money raised. Thank you.

Traveling Minstrels Work For Food

On March 31, 2007, eleven Steele County musicians performed acoustic music in Waseca to raise money for the Waseca County Food Shelf. Inspired by the success of the annual “Hometown Sample” in Owatonna, the Waseca Shelf “asked and received” from the band members of Owatonna’s “Bad Tangerines” and “Hot-n-Bothered”. This was Waseca’s first effort to start what is hoped will be an annual event featuring local Waseca area musicians playing and raising money for the Waseca Shelf. This year’s goal was a conservative $1,000 which was reached easily and quickly. First National Bank of Waseca was primary sponsor, along with many other local businesses, helping to offset promotion costs.