Recently, Federated Rural Electric in Jackson donated $30,000 to food shelves in Jackson and Martin counties. This money was split among four local food shelves: in Heron Lake, Lakefield, Jackson, and Fairmont/Sherburn’s Heaven’s Table.
Scott Reimer, the General Manager of Federated, shared how they tripled their donation. They put in $5,000 per county and matched that with funds from two partners: CoBank’s Sharing Success Program and Basin Electric Cooperative. “Our cooperatives care deeply about their communities. We wanted to help local food shelves support families in need,” Reimer said.
Heaven’s Table received $15,000 since it serves all of Martin County. Meanwhile, each of the Jackson County food shelves received $5,000. This money is crucial for them, especially as food insecurity rises in many areas.
Heaven’s Table plans to use the funds for its Backpack Program, which provides snacks and meals for about 400 schoolchildren. They also run a Community Box program, where families can receive monthly food boxes that usually feed three people.
At the Lakefield Food Shelf, Coordinator Connie Rossow noted that their donation will buy a new computer and software, along with essential food and hygiene items. “Donations like these make a real difference,” she added.
The Jackson Food Shelf, led by Director John Schuetz and Treasurer Angela Schultze, echoed this sentiment. They plan to use their funds for food and hygiene items, especially crucial given the current hike in food prices. Schultze stated, “This support is a huge help to us.”
The Heron Lake/Okabena Community Cupboard will also use its funding for food and hygiene supplies, thanks to their partnership with Second Harvest. Nikki Knobloch, the Food and Nutrition Manager, highlighted how vital such donations are for ensuring families receive nutritious meals.
According to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food insecurity affects around 10.5% of U.S. households. This statistic underscores the importance of local efforts like these donations, which contribute to easing hunger in communities.
Federated is more than just an electric cooperative; it serves about 5,300 members in Jackson and Martin counties and works to uplift its communities through initiatives like these.
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Angela Schultze,Basin Electric Cooperative,CoBank,Connie Rossow,Federated Rural Electric,Heron Lake/Okabena Community Cupboard Food Pantry,Jackson Minnesota Food Shelf Inc,Jackson, Minnesota,Lakefield Food Shelf,Nikki Knobloch
