BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. – (March 8, 2018) – Each March, food shelves across the state team up with Minnesota FoodShare for the largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state. Last year more than $8 million and nearly five million pounds of food were raised to support local needs.
At local food shelves, they work hard to ramp up donations and awareness during the month of March, because of Minnesota FoodShare’s March campaign.
“Foodshare is our big Superbowl,” said CEAP President Clare Brumback.
The Community Emergency Assistance Program, or CEAP, has offices in Blaine and Brooklyn Center.
“We are that frontline organization that gets food to our neighbors,” said Brumback.
And they are busy. Among the nearly 300 food shelves across the state, they are typically near the top in March fundraising.
“CEAP is very excited to be one of the top five food shelves in the state of Minnesota in this, it is a very important food and fund drive for us,” said Brumback.
In a typical year, CEAP gives away about 1.3 million pounds of food to 26,000 of your neighbors.
“Typically when we you visit a food shelf it is an unexpected emergency…we are here to be that place in the community where people go for solace and care,” said Brumback.
CEAP does more than just give out food, they also help their clients find jobs or housing, and refer them to other community resources that could help them through their tough situation. During March, CEAP hopes to collect 200,000 pounds and food and an additional $200,000.
“For every dollar we can get $5 worth of really good nutritious food,” said Brumback.
Throughout the month, donations will come in from many individuals, but there are many groups that organize food or fund drives as well.
“We have so many long time and very very loyal supporters…this truly is a community effort” said Brumback.
