Changes Happening Rapidly at Food Bank and Regional Food Shelves
New Service and Need for Volunteers Remain Primary Focus
Changes are happening rapidly at Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank and NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin’s 40 area food shelves.
Over the last week, the food bank has been working to source additional food for the region’s food shelves while at the same time heightening its facility and personal hygiene standards and maintaining its volunteer base.
“The changes aren’t just happening here,” said Shaye Moris, Executive Director. “Our region’s frontline food shelves from Ely to Moose Lake and Hibbing to Hurley, WI are making changes too.”
When social distancing came into play, organizations quickly moved into action offering drive-through, no contact food shelf service. At the same time, they’ve reacted to a potential increase in demand and a possible decrease in their volunteers.
“Many of us rely on retired and aging volunteers to provide our programs and services and we’ve asked them to remain at home,” said Moris. “All of us will need young and healthy volunteers to maintain our service to our most vulnerable neighbors.”
As part of its focus to supply the region’s food shelves, Second Harvest is seeking healthy volunteers in small groups of 10 to pack boxes of food which will be mobilized to NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin food shelves for direct distribution to in local communities.
For more information about volunteer opportunities or how to help contact Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank they (218) 336-2303 or info@northernlakesfoodbank.org or visit their website www.northernlakesfoodbank.org.
