Food Shelf
Since 1985, the Food Shelf has existed for people in need to receive food for their families on a monthly basis. Currently, about 475 local families share over 38,000 pounds of food each month.
The goal of the Food Shelf is to provide high-quality, nutritious food to people in need. The Food Shelf stocks commercially prepared, non-perishable food including, but not limited to, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, pasta and tomato sauce, rice, milk, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, canned meat, baby food and formula. The Food Shelf also stocks non-food items such as toilet paper, diapers, detergent and soap.
The Food Shelf is open Tuesdays from 12 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays from 12 to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations are accepted Monday–Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
How Does it Work?
Participants apply for this program at the Community Action Center office (1651 Jefferson Parkway, Suite HS-200). Once certified, participants pick up a five-day supply of groceries once a month. The food varies in type, but the focus is always on food that offers good nutrition. For more information about eligibility requirements, click here.
Emergency Food
The Community Action Center helps clients obtain an emergency food supply through grocery vouchers of varying amounts.
Food Delivery
For those with physical ailments or disabilities, we provide a food delivery service. Those who qualify to receive Food Shelf donations are given the option to have their food delivered. The most common participants receiving deliveries are the elderly over 65 and those with physical disabilities.
Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS)
In addition to using the Food Shelf, senior citizens living at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for NAPS, a monthly supplemental food program. Senior citizens can certify for the NAPS program by visiting the Community Action Center office (1651 Jefferson Parkway, Suite HS-200). Income and residency requirements can be found here.
Mothers and Children (MAC)
In addition to using the Food Shelf, mothers with children under the age of six who are at or below 185 percent of the poverty level and are not currently receiving WIC are eligible for MAC. This program is for children up to age six, women who have a baby under one year old but are not breastfeeding, nursing mothers and pregnant women. The Minnesota Department of Health administers this supplemental food program which provides:
- Fruits, vegetables and juices
- Milk (dry or evaporated)
- Meat, egg mix, dry beans and peanut butter
- Cereal and rice, instant potatoes or pasta
- Bonus items like honey, oatmeal and grits, when available
- Infant cereal and formula
Holiday Food Distribution
The Community Action Center distributes gift certificates to certified households that use the Food Shelf during the months of November and December. The size of the gift certificate depends on the size of the household. The certificates are redeemable at two local grocery stores. Gift certificates allow families to choose the food they want over the holidays.
Get Involved
The Community Action Center accepts donations of food and money year round. During the month of March the Community Action Center participates in the statewide Minnesota FoodShare campaign in which churches, community service groups, students, businesses and other groups creatively collect money and food to benefit our neighbors in need.
The Community Action Center stretches donated dollars by purchasing food from a Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest) Food Bank at about $.25 per pound.
The Community Action Center is a member of our regional Feeding America Food Bank, an organization that accepts huge quantities of donated food from corporations and commodities from the federal government. Feeding America then warehouses the goods for food shelves in our area.
