Clearwater County Food Shelf holds Meeting

The Clearwater County Food Shelf held its Annual Meeting on Monday, February 1, at the Bagley Senior Center.  Ten corporate members were in attendance, as well as five who zoomed into the meeting.  Summarizing 2020, COVID-19 impacted much of the way that we do business.  Once the quarantine was imposed in March, curbside delivery of prepacked boxes continued through most of the remainder of the year.  The amount of food distributed increased to over 100,000 pounds while the client base increased, especially the senior population.  As COVID caused more food insecurity, it also afforded the opportunity for the board to write grants and secure additional funding to follow the USDA guidelines of providing PPE’s, increased poundage and more protein, produce and dairy to the clients.  More volunteer labor was requested of our corporate sponsors to handle the increased need and food to be distributed.  President Jodi Quade was reelected to another two-year term, as was Treasurer Linda Gulbranson.  Brent & Sandy Doring and Jane Merschman have another year left on their two-year commitment as Vice-presidents and secretary.  Sharon Braaten was commended for her job as the site-manager of the CCFS.

Government experts predict that food insecurity in Minnesota may rise to 13% because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The pandemic caused a record number of over 3.75 million visits to food shelves across the state of Minnesota last year.  We have been notified that students who are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals will get Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) funds through the 2020-21 school year.  Those students enrolled in free and reduced-price meals before February 28 should get their first P-EBT benefits by late March.  If families have questions about P-EBT, call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 888-711-1151.

Due to the pandemic continuing into 2021, the CCFS continues curbside delivery of prepacked boxes to clients who remain in their vehicles.  We continue to provide additional protein, dairy, fresh produce and paper products as part of our monthly allotment.  A client can come to the Food Shelf once per month.  Each household can receive one allotment.  The USDA changed the income guidelines to 300% of the poverty level.  The USDA guidelines are:  a family of one = $38,280; family of two = $51,720; family of three = $65,160; family of four = $78,600; family of five = $92,040; family of six = $105,480, etc.  There is no proof of income required and no one is turned away.

The CCFS is able to meet the needs of our area solely through the generosity of our community.    It was amazing to witness people donate their entire stimulus check!  We also received donations from as far away as California, as people were cognizant of their roots and the needs of their home community.  A hometown gal, off to college, sent the $250 Target gift card that she had won to the CCFS so we could purchase paper products for our clients – so heartwarming.  We also have local benefactors that donate on a regular basis.

Each year during the month of March, Minnesota’s food shelves make the push to fund themselves for the year.  This year, the March Campaign runs from March 1 through April 11.  All food and money collected during this period is matched proportionally.  Donations can be dropped off at the Food Shelf (basement of the American Legion in Bagley) on Wednesdays from 10 am-2 pm or mailed to the CCFS, PO BX 578, Bagley.