Imagine going to the grocery store this month to buy supplies to last until next November. Thats basically whats happening at the Perham Area Food Shelf this month.
Most donations of cash and food are made during the holiday months of November and December. Supplies start running a bit low in March. Thats one of the reasons for the annual March food drive. The other very good reason is additional contributions from Food Share for all of the dollars and pounds of food collected during March. What comes in during March will need to stretch again until the holidays.
Food Shelf director Alana Herrmann is thankful for the generous community; without that support the food shelf may not have been able to help all of the 1,140 individuals from the Perham-Dent school district who were served in 2005.
Alana points out the food shelf is there to supplement families needs during emergencies. Churches, law enforcement, social services, and community action refer people to the food shelf who in turn try to provide the clients not only with emergency food but also with information on ways to help get ahead.
Families may receive food orders of between 55 and 60 pounds of food up to six times a year. Knowing how many are in the family, what types of appliances are in the home, and information about special diets or special needs helps the volunteers choose the right foods and health care items.
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Between 15 to 20 volunteers, some working with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, help out at the food shelf. Alana says it takes dedication and needs to be a priority for each volunteer. Donna Gill has been helping out while long-time volunteer Karen Williams is away for the winter. Donna says, It takes a strong back!
Some of the volunteers have been helping out since before the program moved in 1995 into the current 2,000 square-foot building; others are relative newcomers. Alana came to the program in 1998. She keeps a careful watch on supply levels and purchases in quantity whenever she can get bargain prices. She also buys at drastically discounted prices from the regional food bank in Crookston, however needs to pay the ever rising freight costs for those items.
A nine member board oversees operations. The present board is: Dave Wenzel - President, Mary Wilkowski - Vice-President, Pastor Rod Tornquist Secretary, Lila Lubitz Treasurer, Father Joe Herzing, Pastor Roger Parks, Dolores Wasche, Dee Swanson, and Jan Turgeon.
The board always includes three clergy members.
The 25 area churches who are a constant resource for the food shelf have been joined for the month of March by Curves, Deans, Karvonens, Pamida, Service Food, United Community Bank, and the Wild Goose in an effort to feed the hungry.
The Food Shelf phone number is 346-6181.
