White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf

Programs: The white bear area emergency food shelf (wbaefs) has served as a critical resource for families struggling with food insecurity since 1977. Over the past four decades, we have grown and improved our traditional food shelf programming in addition to creating new and innovative services to better meet the needs of our neighbors. In 2017, wbaefs provided 602,005 meals to 3,900 individuals at 11,921 visits. Since 2015, the wbaefs has nearly doubled its impact on fighting food insecurity in the white bear area. Monthly market shopping: monthly appointments are available for neighbors in the white bear area who have a self-identified need for food. During a monthly visit, neighbors have access to their choice of milk, eggs, meat, fresh and frozen produce, and a variety of other dry goods. In 2017 on any given month, over 400 visit the market for a monthly shopping trip. At each visit, families received an average of 101 pounds of food. 478,599 pounds of food provided 398,833 meals. 11,921 visits were made by local families struggling to put food on the table. 3,900 individuals received food (unduplicated). Of those served, 51% are children and 11% are seniors over the age of 65. "since i've been coming here, i've never eaten as good as i do now. You guys have so much stuff! I went to the doctor and got a thumbs up, lowered blood sugar, cholesterol, everything. Thank you! "bonus saturday:weekly appointments are available every saturday from 845-1215 for families to pick up fresh produce and other fresh, frozen, and dry items as available. A partnership with second harvest heartland, bonus saturday provides food from local grocery stores directly to neighbors struggling to put food on the table. This program began in 2015 as bonus friday serving an average of 40 families each week. In an effort to increase access to healthy food for families living on a low or fixed income, the wbaefs moved the program to saturdays in 2018. To date, the program is already averaging over 70 households each week. In 2017, on any given week, 60 families utilized the bonus friday program. 3,165 visits were made by local families in need of fresh produce. 85% of those served indicated that half or more of their weekly produce came from the food shelf. At each visit, families receive an average of 33 pounds of food. 105,491 pounds of food provided 87,909 meals through the program. "thank you for all that you do! Our experiences there are always uplifting and the great food that you offer relieves a lot of financial pressure. It also feels good to help reduce food waste by making use of many items that would have been thrown away otherwise. "weekend kid packs and school food pantrieseach week, hundreds of kid packs are delivered to students in the white bear area elementary schools. Each kid pack contains 2 breakfast, 2 entrees, and 4 snack items and are delivered to students throughout the white bear school district who may otherwise go hungry over the weekend when food is scarce. For older students, on-site school pantries are available at the middle and secondary schools. The pantries allow older students struggling with food insecurity to choose their own food while providing a direct connection to school staff. Each pantry contains full size dry goods, grab-n-go foods, and personal care items for students. In 2017, 12,885 kid packs were delivered to elementary students. 451 visits were made to the school pantries. "these programs have been helpful for students who are homeless, especially if it happened abruptly and unexpectedly. " - a teacher. Mobile marketsmobile markets are offered at various senior buildings, schools, and churches throughout the white bear area. Mobile markets provide access to healthy food for families living on a low or fixed or income who are unable to benefit from traditional food shelf programming due barriers. Mobile markets include milk, meat, eggs, fresh produce, and a variety of dry goods. In 2017, 3,957 families visited a mobile market. Of those served, 27% were seniors over the age of 65. Mobile markets have increased access to healthy food for seniors living on a fixed income by 60%. In 2016, seniors utilized the food shelf 2,112 times. In 2017, seniors utilized the food shelf 5,152 times. 104,297 pounds of food provided 86,914 meals. At each market, families received an average of 26 pounds of food. "my favorite day of the month is the day you come to our building. Thank you! ""you have no idea how much this helps. I can't shop on my own anymore. "

wbaefs's role in providing food continues to be critical for families experiencing crisis as they try to navigate multiple areas of need. Food insecurity is often referred to as a 'presenting issue,' a visible and tangible indicator of underlying financial insecurity. In 2016, with the support of the otto bremer trust, wbaefs established an emergency fund to help address a more complete picture of family needs by assisting with short-term financial setbacks related to rent, utilities, car repair or prescriptions. Since 2016, the wbaefs has assisted 36 families through the fund. Community connectionsstaff and volunteers are available to help connect neighbors to resources for food, housing, energy assistance, health care, job support, legal advice, and other support as needed. In 2017, volunteers connected with 1,228 households utilizing the food shelf providing 320 referrals to basic need resources such as wic, snap, naps, energy assistance, medical assistance, child care assistance, and housing assistance. "i was nervous at first when coming in. I was ashamed, but your staff treated me with nothing but kindness and respect with every visit. "emergency funda collaborative effort between local churches and civic groups, the emergency fund is used to help families with short-term financial setback related to rent, utilities, car repairs, and prescriptions. Since the emergency fund began in 2016, the wbaefs has assisted 36 families with emergency support. "i never thought i would be the one in this situation. "