Duluth Salvation Army Helps Distribute 60,000 Meals

The Duluth Salvation Army got an unexpected mega-donation on Sept. 23: an entire semi-truck of frozen Italian dinners.

Exactly 60,000 Michelina’s® frozen dinners arrived to the Duluth Salvation Army that morning from Bellisio Foods Inc., owned by famed Duluth businessman and philanthropist Jeno Paulucci.

“In recognition of severe economic hardships for many in the region, especially at the onset of cold weather, the tractor-trailer truckload of Michelina’s frozen dinners is a gift to families who are struggling through difficult times,” Paulucci said.

The timing of the delivery couldn’t have been better.  

"It’s getting to be hard times up here,” said Carol Perkins food services supervisor for the Duluth Salvation Army. “It takes two people working in a family to make it, yet there are only so many jobs to go around. All of the people who picked up the meals were so thankful, so grateful.”

Representatives from food shelves, churches and other social services agencies from across Duluth and outlying communities picked up as many dinners as they could handle. Other meals were given to people eating at The Salvation Army’s daily lunch program.

“This was really a blessing because we’re coming into a season where…some people will have to decide whether to buy food or fuel,” said Envoy Alan Carlson, Duluth Salvation Army administrator. “This donation was truly heaven sent.”