Loaves and Fishes joined 20+ hunger relief organizations to tell our fellow Minnesotans that we will continue to serve in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic.
To our Minnesota community,
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged all of us in unprecedented ways, leaving most of us unsettled and fearful about what the future may hold. To all those in our community who are worried about food scarcity in your household during this pandemic, we are here for you as your Minnesota hunger-relief organizations. We want to say clearly that you are not alone.
Our organizations – food banks, food shelves, meal programs and other nonprofits – are accelerating our efforts to fill every cupboard. We are resolute, certain in the knowledge that access to food is the lynchpin of any crisis response, especially one in which we’ve asked people to stay home, minimize interaction and take especially good care of themselves. In response to calls for help that doubled last week and are on track to triple this week, we have provided millions of meals since the crisis began. We are prepared to deliver millions more in the days and weeks to come.
The increase in need has many causes. Restaurants, businesses and schools are shuttered, and pandemic-related layoffs have surged. Prior to the pandemic, 1 in 11 Minnesota households struggled to put enough food on their tables. In the current environment, that number has undoubtedly increased dramatically.
Our message to the community is simple; we have food available, and more is on the way. We are united and working round the clock to serve our community. We are coordinating our efforts with one another and with Governor Walz’s office.
If you are in need of food support, please visit www.hungersolutions.org/find-help. If you have children, contact the school district in which you live to find out what nutrition resources are available during this time. Most school districts will not require enrollment of your child in the district in order to receive assistance; help is available to all children who reside within a district’s boundaries.
Minnesota’s greatest asset is our ability to work together to solve our community’s problems. We are here for you, and we will get through this pandemic together.
Jessica Francis, Executive Director – Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf
Anika Rychner, Program Director and Scott Wopata, Executive Director – Community Action Center of Northfield
Clare Brumback, President – Community Emergency Assistance Programs
Mike Lloyd, Executive Director – Community Emergency Services
Shawn Morrison, Executive Director – Good in the ‘Hood
Jonathan Palmer, Executive Director – Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc
Chris DuFresne, Board President – Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf
Ellie Lucas, Chief Executive Officer – Hunger Impact Partners
Colleen Moriarty, Executive Director – Hunger Solutions Minnesota
Peg Keenan, Executive Director – Intercongregation Communities Association Food Shelf
Mary McKeown, President/CEO – Keystone Community Services
Cathy Maes, Executive Director – Loaves and Fishes MN
Daniel A. Rodriguez, Executive Director – Merrick Community Services
Nancy Q. Brady, President – Neighborhood House
Charles D. Thompson, President and CEO – Neighbors, Inc.
Lisa Baker, Program Manager – Ralph Reeder Food Shelf
Allison O’Toole, Chief Executive Officer – Second Harvest Heartland
Sophia Lenarz-Coy, Executive Director – The Food Group
Rob Williams, Executive Director – The Sheridan Story
Tracy Maki, Chief Executive Officer – Valley Outreach
Joe McDonald, Chief Executive Officer – Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People
Perry Petersen, Executive Director – White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf
Jeff Mortensen, President & CEO – 360 Communities
