Chris Kolstad runs a pizza shop in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. Lately, he noticed a troubling trend: more people were rummaging through his dumpster for food. On July 29, he shared a heartfelt message on Facebook.
He urged those struggling to skip the dumpster diving and come to him directly. “Nobody deserves that,” he said. He offered to leave food outside for anyone in need, reminding them that they could reach out without embarrassment.
His post touched many hearts. After it went viral, other local businesses, like Nozy’s Grill food truck, stepped in to help. He soon set up a donation link, raising over $3,000 to assist those in need. A month later, that number rose to over $4,000 as community support grew.
Kolstad has owned the pizza shop for nearly six years. He’s seen signs of food insecurity from the start. Unused pizza boxes and napkins nearby proved it wasn’t animals scavenging. He recalls a day when his cook spotted a woman eating garlic bread from the trash. It hit him hard: “If someone can get a hot meal instead of digging through trash, that’s a big deal.”
One organization benefiting from Kolstad’s generosity is Southern Anoka Community Assistance (SACA), a food shelf that has served the community for nearly 50 years. Since 2020, SACA has reported a staggering 52% increase in the people it helps. In 2024, they assisted over 68,000 individuals, with a significant portion being children. According to Dave Rudolph, SACA’s co-director, the rising cost of food makes their services even more crucial.
Since Kolstad’s post, he has directly helped close to 100 people facing food insecurity. One grateful recipient, from a large family, sent a thank-you note, which Kolstad shared, expressing why he does this work. Though he has never faced food insecurity, he understands its impact through the people he’s met.
Kolstad believes no one should go hungry, especially when he can make a difference. It’s a simple reminder that compassion can spark change in challenging times.
For more insights on food insecurity, you can check out the Southern Anoka Community Assistance website which details their work and impact in the community.
