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BEMIDJI 鈥� The Bemidji Community Food Shelf鈥檚 32nd Annual Stuff-A-Truck event has collected over 10,000 pounds worth of food and $7,000 in monetary donations, with both needed to help meet the growing needs of the Bemidji community as food insecurity increases.

鈥淭his is an annual fundraiser that was started quite a few years ago to get donations from the community to help us get through the winter months,鈥� explained Mike Olson, the executive director of the Bemidji Community Food Shelf.

The fundraiser was supported by MarketPlace Foods and other local partners, with the donations delivered to the food shelf Monday morning, and volunteers unpacking boxes and placing items on shelves.

Contributed

According to MarketPlace Foods Store Director Brandon Granmo, a total of 10,616 pounds of food and $7,623.34 in monetary donations were raised during the Stuff-A-Truck fundraiser, which began in October.

鈥淭here was a good response in donations,鈥� Olson shared, 鈥淲e鈥檙e down slightly but that might be due to the economy.鈥�

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

The increased costs of food and nearly every other purchasable item have affected those who donate, Oslon speculated, explaining that it鈥檚 also impacted the food shelf.

鈥淚nflation has definitely affected our budget, we鈥檝e seen an increase in the cost of food. Donations have continued to be strong, but we see they鈥檙e maybe becoming a little soft,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e keeping up with it, but it鈥檚 definitely a challenge.鈥�

The biggest impact on the food shelf has been the increase in the number of people it鈥檚 serving, which increased by 20% this year.

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

In 2021 the food shelf served 6,183 households, with the number increasing to 9,220 in 2022. In 2023 it has already served 11,100 households, with a month left in the year for that number to grow.

While some of the increased need is coming from those who already utilized the food shelf鈥檚 services doing so more often as it gets harder for them to afford groceries, a significant portion is also coming from first-time clients.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not just that people are using our services more often, there are new people coming that have never been in the position of food insecurity before,鈥� explained Debbie Johnson, the food shelf鈥檚 volunteer coordinator. 鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing maybe an average of 200 first-time individuals coming each month.鈥�

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

The number of families using the food shelf鈥檚 services has also increased, with Olson sharing that the organization has gone from serving between 400 to 600 families a month to 1,000, meaning more children are also being impacted by food insecurity.

This growing need isn鈥檛 just limited to the surrounding area, both Olson and Johnson shared that they鈥檝e heard food shelves around the country are seeing similar increases.

鈥淚t鈥檚 something that鈥檚 happening all over, not just here,鈥� Olson said.

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

All of this makes fundraisers like Stuff-A-Truck even more critical, as it and other drives help keep the food shelf鈥檚 services available to support community members who are struggling.

鈥淭his community has been incredibly supportive over the years and we wouldn鈥檛 be here without that,鈥� Olson shared. 鈥淔or every dollar that people donate to the food shelf, we鈥檙e able to put $4 back into the community.鈥�

The impact the food shelf has on those it serves is also considerable, with the Bemidji Community Food Shelf a designated that works to ensure dignity, healthy options and customer choice.

鈥淲e work really hard to make (the food shelf) feel like a grocery store,鈥� Johnson explained. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want our customers to feel embarrassed or any kind of shame.鈥�

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

Laid out like a grocery store, with bright colors and signs hanging over each section, people who go to Bemidji鈥檚 food shelf are able to select the food that they know works for them, rather than getting a box of pre-selected items.

This makes the experience more welcoming, and the food shelf鈥檚 customers have shared their appreciation for its friendly environment and volunteers.

鈥淲e had a customer write (in a thank-you note) 鈥業 never feel shamed when I come here,鈥欌�� Johnson said. 鈥淭hat is huge, to have a place where people feel welcomed and accepted and encouraged and helped.鈥�

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

Community support of the food shelf and its mission is something Olson hopes continues, especially as it works to meet the increasing needs of local families and individuals.

鈥淭he food shelf is an integral part of the social services network in the community,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he financial support is what allows us to do what we do. Any gifts help, just $10 or $15 a month makes a huge difference.鈥�

Those interested in volunteering, either once or with a more regular commitment can join the hundreds of people who help keep the food shelf operational. The food shelf offers two three-hour shifts a day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday that run from 9 a.m. to noon and from noon to 3 p.m.

More information on the Bemidji Community Food Shelf, its work and how to volunteer and donate can be found on its website,

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer

Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer