Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Supporting a Local Food Shelf

Neighbors Inc.

Food insecurity is on the rise, even before the recent government shutdown that put SNAP benefits in limbo. Across Minnesota, food shelf visits are up 20% in the last year. Local food shelf Neighbors, Inc. is meeting the need.

What they do: Neighbors, Inc. provides essential services to low income families in Northern Dakota County. Located in South St. Paul and founded in 1972, the nonprofit offers food, essential products, clothes through their thrift store, and job training.

Recent Wins

Here are some ways Neighbors, Inc. and neighbors are teaming up to meet the need as we approach the holiday season:

  • Thanksgiving: Neighbors’ annual Thanksgiving distribution broke a record, serving 327 households in two hours. They helped families have a Thanksgiving, giving away 252 turkeys, 250 loaves of bread, and bags stuffed with Thanksgiving essentials such as mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and stuffing.

  • Dueling drives: Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins and Butcher Bert of Hometown Meats in Inver Grove Heights had a friendly food drive competition ending in September. But with SNAP benefits in question, they did another one in October.

  • Teamwork: Four local troops stepped up their food drive efforts, donating 3,725 pounds worth of food to Neighbors, Inc.

  • Border battle: West St. Paul and South St. Paul faced off in the second annual Knock Out Hunger Border Battle, packing more than 55,000 meals the Saturday after Thanksgiving for local food shelves, including Neighbors, Inc.

  • Period products: Women of West St. Paul delivered $14,000 worth of pads, tampons, and other period products after collecting items and donations during the month of October. The much-needed products can’t be purchased with SNAP benefits and are often overlooked and not donated to food shelves.

How Can You Help?

The biggest way you can help Neighbors, Inc. is by making a donation. They’re able to stretch dollars further—tripling the impact of a cash donation over a food donation.

Right now, Otto Bremer Trust has a $50,000 matching campaign, so your donation does even more.

Bonus holiday fun: Neighbors, Inc. is also hosting their annual It’s A Wonderful Life live radio play at the St. Paul Hotel on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. All proceeds go to Neighbors, Inc.

It’s about more than work at Evolve Workplace, and we’re proud to champion local neighbors helping neighbors.

David Lundy