Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank

Programs: Second harvest northern lakes food bank's primary program is food banking. As the only "food bank" serving ne minnesota (st. Louis, carlton, lake and cook counties) and nw wisconsin (douglas, bayfield, ashland and iron counties), we rescue nationally and regionally donated food from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and growers, for distribution to over 75 non-profit agency partners (soup kitchens, food shelves, shelters and other charitable partners). In 2017, we provided over 4. 5 million pounds of food and grocery product, the equivalent of 3. 6 million meals, to our agency partners. We estimate that our nationally and regionally donated food reaches and feeds 44,000 people in need each year. Volunteers are critical to our food bank and its operations. In fact, in 2017 volunteers contributed 4,740 hours to our food bank program which was the equivalent of 2. 3 full-time positions at our food bank.

the hermantown area food shelf is a program of second harvest northern lakes food bank. In 2017, we provided food shelf service directly to an average of 774 in-need children, adults and seniors per month who reside in hermantown or communities north. We distributed 449,230 pounds of food and grocery product to our food shelf participants which is the equivalent of 359,384 meals. On average, our food shelf participants received an 13-day supply of food for each member in their household at each visit. Our food shelf operated almost entirely by volunteers. In fact, in 2017 volunteers contributed 4,022 hours of service or 92% of the hours needed to carry out this program which was the equivalent of a 1. 93 full-time position at our food bank.

the nutrition assistance program for seniors (naps) is a federal commodity food program administered by the minnesota department of health and implemented locally by second harvest northern lakes food bank. In 2017, we provided commodity food boxes to an average of 887 in-need seniors per month throughout ne minnesota. We distributed 370,923 pounds of food or the equivalent of 296,738 meals. On average, our naps participants received an 11-day supply of food as part of our monthly service. Our naps program relies heavily on volunteers. In fact, in 2017 volunteers contributed 2,880 hours of service or the equivalent of a 1. 38 full-time position at our food bank.

mobile food pantry programs are operated by second harvest northern lakes food bank to supplement food distribution in ne minnesota and nw wisconsin communities where service is limited or in greater demand than local resources are available. In 2017, we provided service in three (3) locations serving an average of 1,042 in-need children, adults and seniors per month. We distributed 307,724 pounds of food and grocery product to our pantry participants which is the equivalent of 246,179 meals. On average, our mobile food pantry participants received an 8-day supply of food for each member in their household at each visit. The backpack program is operated by second harvest northern lakes food bank, in partnership with regional schools, to provide food to children in need on weekends when they may be missing their federally subsidized school breakfast and/or lunch. In 2017, we provided 32,550 bags of food to children in need. We distributed 115,738 pounds of food or the equivalent of 92,590 meals. On average our backpack program participants received 3-5 meals/snacks as part of our service. In 2017, volunteers contributed 1,831 hours of service or the equivalent of a . 88 full-time position at our food bank.