For Thanksgiving worship on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at 7:00 pm we are having a food shelf collection.
Please bring any non-perishables to worship with you!
Operating a Food Shelf
One thing we have learned in nine years of food shelf ministry at SOTV is that changes happen. New volunteers are needed as others go south for the winter, rescue food providers make changes requiring us to buy meat or other products, we add another day to our schedule to help others. Just like weather in Minnesota, give it a few minutes, and changes will likely come.
In recent years, our food shelf has maintained a comfortable fund balance. Money coming in fully covered expenses. In recent months, however, this has changed. In August and September, for example, food shelf expenses were $16,877, but deposits were only $6,992.
The SOTV Food Shelf is Now Open 3 Days a Week
Last Spring, 360 Communities asked SOTV to add another day to our schedule because the Rosemount Family Resource Center is being renovated and operating shorter hours. Fun fact: in September of 2018 we served a weekly average of 28 families (120 individuals), while in September of 2019 we served 45 families (197 individuals). We give thanks to God that we have been able to meet the growing needs in our community, but our funding needs to keep pace with the extra demands. We now believe we will be asked to stay open 3 days even when the Rosemount renovation is completed.
Unpredictable Food Sourcing
We are fortunate to have partners in the community who donate rescue food from their stores that we can pass on to our clients. This is food that would otherwise be thrown away because of nearing expiration dates. We also have many people and groups who donate food. But food donations are unpredictable from week to week, requiring us to purchase items we lack at discounted rates through organizations like Second Harvest and The Food Group, or to send volunteers shopping.
Consider Supporting the SOTV Food Shelf
The SOTV Food Shelf makes a substantial difference in the lives of many of our neighbors. We see the humble gratitude of clients and are thankful to be able to share God’s love in such a tangible way.
Please consider supporting the SOTV Food Shelf with gifts designated for “Local Hunger.”
