BEMIDJI — Grocery prices keep rising, and more families in Northern Minnesota are turning to food shelves for help. Reports indicate that in 2024, there were around 2 million additional visits to food shelves across the state compared to the previous year when COVID-19 aid was available.
Mike Olson, the Executive Director of the Bemidji Community Food Shelf, has noticed a similar trend locally. “We’ve been serving around 1,200 families a month recently, up from 600-700 before 2023,” he shared. In 2024, demand surged by another 25%. In total, they serve about 42,000 people annually, distributing nearly 1 million pounds of food, which amounts to a value of about $1.8 million.
The Bemidji Community Food Shelf is designed as an emergency resource, offering about 10 meals worth of food for each visit. Families earning 300% or less of the federal poverty level can utilize the service once a month. This limit translates to about $83,000 for a family of four or $55,000 for a family of two.
Olson is concerned that cuts to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could further increase the need for food assistance. “If SNAP sees cuts, we expect more people will seek help,” he said. He also highlighted the Emergency Food Assistance Program that provides essential food commodities but could be affected by budget cuts at the federal level.
In an interview on KAXE, Olson explained that most of their budget comes from community contributions. However, rising food prices add pressure. “Our clients are feeling the pinch from rising costs, and so are we, as we buy most of the food we distribute,” he noted. It’s a challenging time for many.
Despite these challenges, Olson remains hopeful thanks to the enduring support from the community over the past 42 years. “We’ve seen the trends, but the future is uncertain. It’s crucial for people to communicate with their representatives about the importance of these programs,” he emphasized. He pointed out ongoing discussions in Congress about significant cuts to the Department of Agriculture, which would affect their operations.
Olson also mentioned the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, a program that started around 20 years ago. This initiative encourages donations from businesses, offering a matching contribution for funds raised by participating food shelves from March 1 to April 6. This helps food shelves maximize their purchasing power.
Hunger in Minnesota is a pressing issue, with about 1 in 11 people and 1 in 7 children facing food insecurity. Olson described hunger as often hidden, noting that many children in local classrooms struggle to focus due to lack of food. “Every two weeks, someone could find themselves in a difficult situation,” he remarked, highlighting the unpredictability of life’s challenges.
The Bemidji Community Food Shelf goes beyond providing food; it also offers medical clinics, blood drives, and other essential services. Additionally, they utilize a greenhouse to grow fresh produce for clients. The food shelf is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. For more information, check out their website.
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