In an effort to stock food shelves for the upcoming summer months when food needs are high and food donations are at their lowest, people across the state are joining together for the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, a month-long campaign for food shelves to help hungry families in Minnesota.
This year, local food shelf CROSS Services is hoping to reach its goal of $85,000 and 85,000 pounds of food donated. During the month of March, individuals, businesses, schools, civic groups, congregations, and organizations are encouraged to help local families by collecting food and funds for CROSS.
During the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, a percentage of food and monetary donations received in March is matched.
CROSS is a non-profit organization serving families and individuals living in Maple Grove, Rogers, Osseo, Champlin (west), Corcoran, and Dayton. In 2015, more than 815,000 pounds of food was distributed from the food shelf. CROSS serves approximately 1,900 families each year – over the last two years, over 500 new families new to CROSS visited the food shelf.
How to Help
Donations can be made by mail, online, or in person to CROSS Services, PO Box 574, 12915 Weinand Circle, Rogers, MN 55374. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.
A few of the most needed food items in the food shelf at CROSS include pancake mix and syrup, peanut butter, Spaghetti O’s, ravioli, chili, stew, skillet dinners, spaghetti sauce, pasta, jam/jelly, ketchup, juice, cereal, sugar, flour, canned meat (tuna, chicken), and salad dressings. A few of the most needed nonfood items include shampoo, conditioner, diapers, hand soap, deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrushes, cleaner, laundry detergent (16 oz. or smaller), and toilet paper.
Your food and monetary donations to CROSS help local families and individuals in need during a time of crisis.
CROSS has been the local food shelf for 38 years, providing a 10-15 day supply of food consisting of bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, frozen meats/food, and shelf stable foods for families and individuals in need. Nutritional options are available to families visiting CROSS, with fresh produce accounting for approximately 25 percent of each food order.
In 2014, Minnesota FoodShare partnered with almost 300 food shelves statewide to raise more than $8 million and more than four million pounds of food during the month of March, ensuring thousands of Minnesotans were fed.
For more information on programs, volunteer and community partnership opportunities, contact CROSS at 763-425-1050.