Shepherd of the Valley partners with 360 Communities to operate Our Daily Bread Food Shelf, located at our church. 360 Communities works directly with individuals and families in need and connects them with resources including ours and other area food shelves. Church volunteers take care of the week-to-week operation of the food shelf including sorting food donations, buying additional groceries, filling orders from 360, and working with clients.
MONETARY DONATIONS NEEDED
Did you know the food shelf needs monetary donations in addition to food items to operate? Last year (2014), the food shelf carefully used $55,000 of monetary donations to purchase food, produce, and toiletries for our clients. This was in addition to all of the wonderful food donations given. In the last two months alone, we spent $4,200 more on groceries than what was received in cash donations.
Simply put, the food shelf is having trouble meeting the demands of hunger in Dakota County. Due to quickly diminishing re-sources, the food shelf has recently had to limit what is given out, including toothpaste, shampoo, feminine hygiene items, and more. Hopefully this is only temporary, and cuts to food and produce will not have to be made. We also hope to not have to reduce the number of clients we serve.
NEW FALCON RIDGE PROJECT
Recently, SOTV took on an additional hunger-related project called The Sheridan Story. This initiative ensures students at Falcon Ridge Middle School have enough food to eat over the weekend. Teachers report students coming to school so hungry on Monday morning that they are unable to focus. We have commit-ted to helping at least 30 students this school year, and likely more if we can afford to do so. Please help these hungry kids by supporting this new ministry at SOTV.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
In addition to donations of non-perishable items, both the Food Shelf and The Sheridan Story require monetary donations to continue. Both ministries are featured in our Christmas Gift Giving program this year. You can make a donation at any time during the year with a check or using a credit or debit card on our secure giving site. Write “Food Shelf” or “Sheridan Story” in the check memo line or type these same phrases in the “Misc Benev” line if you’re giving online. Thank you for your support!
