PRESS RELEASE
Use of Salvation Army Food Shelves
Skyrockets Nearly 150 Percent
Local Grocery Stores Donating Fruit, Vegetables
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – April 21, 2009 – Use of Salvation Army food shelves has skyrocketed nearly 150 percent in the Twin Cities.
During the six-month period of October 2008 – March 2009, more than 17,700 households received assistance from The Salvation Army’s seven metro area food shelves. During the same period a year ago, about 7,200 households were served.
Local Salvation Army food shelves are now on pace to shatter their fiscal year record of serving nearly 19,800 households between October 2007 – September 2008.
“At this rate we will set a new record by the end of April, and there will still be another four months to go before our budget year ends,” said Major Darryl Leedom, Commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army.
It is likely the numbers will increase at an even higher rate when summer begins. Historically, summer months are some of the busiest of the year because children are no longer being fed at school.
The Salvation Army’s commitment to serving nutritious food to families in need has improved through its partnership with the grocery stores Coborn’s, Lunds and Byerly’s. All three of the stores supply Salvation Army food shelves with hundreds of pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables.
“Often times, low-income families eat unhealthy meals because they can be cheaper to buy than fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods,” Leedom said. “The Salvation Army is thankful that Coborn’s, Lunds and Byerly’s share our mission of not only serving food to people in need, but serving them healthy food they could not otherwise afford.”
Food shelves are one of many services the Twin Cities Salvation Army provides to more than 200,000 people every year.
To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
