Food Shelf Month highlights a growing need in Verndale area
by Trinity Gruenberg
March is Food Shelf Month, a time to raise awareness of food insecurity and the increasing demand for food assistance across Minnesota.
The Verndale Area Food Shelf continues to provide essential support to local families while statewide food shelf visits have reached record highs.
Verndale Area Food Shelf
In 2024, the Verndale Area Food Shelf distributed an impressive 61,837 pounds of food, serving 244 households with a total of 1,015 visits.
The food shelf purchased 67,742 pounds of food and other essentials, while an additional 29,902 pounds were donated.
To reduce waste, the food shelf also provided 7,259 pounds of food to local farmers for animal feed, rather than discarding it.
Local schools played a significant role in supporting the food shelf. In February 2024, Verndale Public School held a food drive, collecting 410 pounds of food.
Inspired by this effort, the Verndale Area Christian Academy launched its own friendly competition in March, bringing in 484 pounds of food....
