by April Scheinoha
Editor
Scouts BSA Troop 59 and Cub Scout Pack 59 in Thief River Falls, along with their families, braved the windy, wet conditions Saturday, March 15 to collect over 961 pounds of food for the Thief River Falls Area Food Shelf. The groups also presented $600 in donations from Polaris and individuals to the organization. The collection was part of the annual Scouting for Food campaign.
So far this year, from January through February, the Area Food Shelf has served 4,042 individuals and 577 households with kids. Alecia Hunt, executive director, said 90,066 pounds of food were distributed in that time frame.
In 2024, the Food Shelf distributed 425,490 pounds of food, household and hygiene products to:
• 4,593 kids ages 0 to 17
• 9,190 adults from 18 to 64 years old
• 2,131 seniors ages 65+
Of those individuals, 3,824 were migrants.
Last year, the Area Food Shelf served clients from communities in Pennington, Clearwater, Kittson, Marshall, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties as well as other communities. The organization also serves a migrant population which is employed locally as well as displaced individuals and families.
The Area Food accepts donations year-round. During the month of March, monetary donations will be increased by a grant through the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. To donate, send a check to Thief River Falls Area Food Shelf, P.O. Box 802, Thief River Falls, MN 56701.