Joyce Uptown Foodshelf & Hunger Solutions – Minneapolis, MN

Apr 17, 2020 | eat/drink

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To our Joyce Uptown Foodshelf community,

Thank you for the many ways you continue to reach out, volunteer, donate and support the Foodshelf as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time has challenged all of us in unprecedented ways. To those in our community who are concerned about food scarcity, we are here for you! We are working with our food banks, community partners, other service providers and Hunger Solutions to ensure we are able to continue to be a food resource in our community.

On March 25, Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order for Minnesotans to “stay at home” to prevent further spread of the virus. Under its provisions, food banks and food shelves are classified as critical sector work. At this time, Joyce Uptown Foodshelf remains open, but our model and service hours have changed and will continue to evolve as needed to prioritize the health and safety of the communities we serve and the staff and volunteers who support them. Our goal is to remain a resource to our community during this crisis. Please check our webpage at joyceuptownfoodshelf.org regularly for updates. The safety and well-being of our participants, staff, and volunteers is our top priority as we work hard to continue to provide food support to our community. If you are in need of other food resources, please call the MN Food Help Line at 1-888-711-1151.

Hunger Solutions Minnesota works to end hunger in our state. We take action to assure food security for all Minnesotans by supporting programs and agencies that provide food to those in need, advancing sound public policy, and guiding grassroots advocacy.”

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Joyce Uptown Foodshelf serves between 903-920 individuals each month. In 2017, we served over 11,009 individuals. Thirty-two percent of those individuals served were between the ages of 0-17. In 2017, we distributed 200K pounds of food averaging between 18-20 pounds of food per person. Joyce Uptown Foodshelf is an emergency food shelf primarily serving the Southwest Minneapolis community, however, we are open to all who need food. The food shelf gives participants a three-day supply of nutritionally balanced food once a month. The staff consists of a paid part-time director and two paid part-time workers. They are assisted by many dedicated volunteers from the community, faith groups and other businesses and community organizations. We also rely on our many dedicated community partners who provide volunteers, food donations and funding. Joyce Uptown Foodshelf has been serving the Uptown and surrounding Minneapolis Community for almost 50 years, we will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary of being open to the community in 2019! In 2017, 74, 182 lbs. of food were donated to the Foodshelf from individuals, churches, food drives and other organizations. This equaled 34% of the total food we distributed to individuals and families food donations make a difference. We also purchase food at a discount from two food banks, The Food Group and Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank.

In MN over 3 million visits were made to food shelves each year during the years 2011-2016. Approximately 552, 000 Minnesotans experience food insecurity or 1 in 10 MN- food insecurity is defined as the access to adequate food is inconsistent and limited by lack of money and other resources throughout the year. In contrast food security is defined as “access by all people at all times to enough food for an active healthy life”. In MN 1 in 7 children struggle with hunger. Thank you for your support!

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Please donate to Joyce Uptown Foodshelf at 3041 Fremont Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN 55408. We are able to accept donations between 11-4 Monday through Friday. Other times are available by emailing info@joyceuptownfoodshelf.org.

joyceuptownfoodshelf.org