Participate in The Minnesota Foodshare March Campaign, and help stock food shelves at Brian Coyle Center and Waite House!

In Minnesota, 1 in 5 families with children is considered “food insecure,” or lacking consistent access to nutritious, well-balanced diets. The Minnesota Foodshare March Campaign is a time to be a “Hunger Hero” and stock the shelves with food and donations, an effort that provides a direct benefit to community members who are served at Brian Coyle Center and Waite House in Minneapolis.

The need is real. In 2014 alone the Brian Coyle Center food shelf served 290,033 pounds of food to 1,367 families. A full 30% of those families include children under age 18. Access to healthy foods is considered a key to school performance for children, and is critical for the overall health of families.

All donations of food or cash go directly to those in need. Individuals, corporations, congregations, school groups and others interested in participating are encouraged to get involved by doing a donation drive in the month of March. In addition, all donations are matched by Minnesota Foodshare, and with bulk purchasing power, food shelves can multiply the impact of each dollar donated, while also ensuring the most needed food products are kept in stock.

Fun events to help fight hunger and benefit patrons are on the calendar during the March Campaign. Wine and Canvas Studio in St. Anthony is coordinating “Give from the Heart with Art” on Wednesday, March 11 from 6-9pm. The event offers a chance to create a colorful piece of art in a relaxed setting. It is open to the public, and for $35 artists leave with a new piece of art and the satisfaction that comes with helping others. Visit www.wineandcanvas.com to register.

Food shelves at Brian Coyle Center and Waite House provide healthy food staples along with culturally specific groceries that serve families from many parts of the world. Food donations will be accepted at both Brian Coyle Center and Waite House during regular business hours. Cash donations can be mailed to Pillsbury United Communities Brian Coyle Center, Attn. Sara Denzer, 420 15th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55454 or Pillsbury United Communities Waite House, Attn: Andrea Nettles, 2323 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404. For more information on how to donate, or for a listing of most needed food products, please contact Sara Denzer, Senior Basic Needs Coordinator for Brian Coyle Center, at 612-876-9366 or Andrea Nettles, Food Shelf Coordinator for Waite House, at 612-721-1681.