Food shelf puts out plea for donations

On July 18 Rock County Food Shelf Co-Director Katie Baustian posted a call for donations on the organization’s Facebook page. 
“It has been a while since our shelves have been this bare,” she wrote. “If you enjoy donating items, we are in need of many.” 
The post included photos of mostly bare shelves at the food shelf location on Maple Street in Luverne along with a list of a dozen specific items most in need.
The post was shared by 55 people and spurred a number of donations in the last week by individuals, organizations, businesses and churches to help restock the shelves. 
“We knew that would happen,” Baustian said. 
“This community has always been so generous; once they knew there was a need, they stepped up. We’re so grateful for that.”
Baustian and co-director Mary Gehrke said that even though the shelves are mostly full again, the situation highlights the community need for the food shelf and for the donations to continue.
The program receives no government funding.
 
Increased use
The food shelf is open every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. and also from 5 to 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month. 
Families can visit the food shelf twice a month. 
The food shelf serves 35 to 48 families per week, an average that is higher than it’s ever been. 
“Some families have one person, some have up to 10,” Gehrke said. “So that’s a lot of people being served each week.”
The food shelf distributes 1,600 to 1,800 pounds of food per week, which is an average of 40 to 50 pounds per household. 
Gehrke said there are new households visiting the food shelf every week. 
“Oftentimes they have jobs and may be moving to town for those jobs, but they need the help when there are moving expenses, rent deposits and other things at that same time,” Gehrke said.
“We’re happy to help them get settled or on their feet in their new community. Some of them may move around more and aren’t here as long because of changes in their work.”
Other reasons for the increased traffic at the food shelf, according to Baustian, may be higher grocery prices, children home from school in the summer, more retired people on fixed incomes, and changes in government support available to families. 
“We ask people if they are using EBT or food stamp benefits, and many say they have recently gotten a job and no longer qualify for those benefits, but they still are in need of support for food,” Baustian said. 
Those 65 and older comprise another growing population accessing the food shelf. 
“It can be very hard to afford groceries on such a fixed income,” Gehrke said. “Sixty-five to 75 is our fastest growing group that uses the food shelf now.”
Gehrke and Baustian said personal care and hygiene products are also very popular at the facility. Toilet paper, dish soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent and feminine hygiene products are some of the most needed items. 
“You don't realize how expensive those items have gotten,” Gehrke said. 
 
‘Dignity of the person’
The food shelf previously operated in cramped quarters in the basement of the United Methodist Church.
The fact that it now has its own building on Maple Street may be another reason for increased use, Baustian said.
“We are in our second year in this facility now and it’s made a world of difference,” she said. “To have this larger, open space with a waiting area is just a much more enjoyable experience.”
The directors said since the move to the new space, those visiting the food shelf are able to “shop” on their own and even use grocery carts.
“It really is like shopping at the store,” Gehrke said. “We want them to feel comfortable.”
“It’s about the dignity of the person,” Baustian said. “That’s the big goal.”
Gehrke said the food shelf is also working to make the food selection more appropriate for the people of different cultural backgrounds who are served by the program. 
“If we can add new foods that are more popular or familiar with people from different backgrounds, we definitely want to do that,” she said. 
Gehrke added that one regular volunteer at the evening shift at the food shelf also speaks Spanish. 
“You can just see the peoples’ faces light up when they are able to visit with her in their own language,” Gehrke said. “All of those things make the food shelf experience more dignified.”
 
Support still needed
The directors pointed out that there are many ways to support the food shelf's continued mission. 
Donations of non-perishable food and hygiene products can be dropped off on the east side of the building on West Maple Street, and cash donations are always welcome.
“We purchase about $3,000 worth of groceries a month,” Gehrke said. 
Each month one or two Rock County churches are also encouraged to collect items for the food shelf.
“Some churches do it all year around; some just during their month,” Gehrke said. “We appreciate all the donations we can get.”
Baustian and Gehrke said local physicians and many other groups donate food for holidays and other special occasions throughout the year. 
For example, 4-H and other groups have created “birthday bags” that have all the supplies needed for a child’s birthday party in a bag that parents can pick up in order to provide a birthday party for their child. 
The Backpack Program, which provides take-home food for school-aged students, also distributes from the food shelf. 
The organization partners with the local farmers market in a number of ways to provide more healthy options, and local gardeners share fresh fruits and vegetables with the food shelf as well. 
Baustian said Sunshine Foods in Luverne donates excess food and other products. “Sunshine is very supportive,” she said. 
“We are also part of the food rescue program through Dollar General,” Gehrke said. “At times they donate food from their store to use before it is no longer useful.”
Overall, the co-directors of the Rock County Food Shelf say they’re grateful for the support and are always ready to share information about the important program to others.
“If anyone or organization would like a tour of the food shelf and learn about how we operate, please contact Katie Baustian,” the July 18 Facebook post stated.
“We appreciate your continued support of our mission.”
Questions can be directed to Baustian or through the food shelf Facebook page.