Stillwater Food Shelf Gives Out 4K Pounds in Single Shift

STILLWATER, Minn. - Shopping for her family of five at a food shelf is not part of Jennifer Lee’s normal routine. She’s a mom from Stillwater, with a Veterinary Technician degree and has been struggling to find a job for two years.

“We are currently losing our home... and with the kids out of school we have to find a way to feed them throughout the day,” says Lee. “Today my kids were looking for food and said... we don't have anything. I haven't come here for a couple of years so it was time.”

Executive Director of the Valley Outreach Food Shelf, Kate Krisik, says Lee is not alone.
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“Washington County and the Stillwater area are relatively wealth, but because of that median income in this area is too high, there are no summer feeding program for kids,” said Krisik. “We have 1,200 kids who we serve in school not receiving meals they typically receive.”

Last week, Valley Outreach set a new record. Volunteers gave away 4,000 pounds of food in just two hours, double their normal donations.

“We have an incredibly generous community, but with 45- to 50,000 pounds going out of here every month, there is no way we can keep pace with that,” said Krisik.

In response, employees at Retail Construction Services started a giving garden a few years ago. Their goal this year is to grow 3,000 pounds of food this season.

“I got a got a call last week from the food shelf,” said COO Joni Fletty. “She said, 'Do you have any food for us today?' And that's a horrible thing to hear from a food shelf.”

Every summer, donations drastically drop off, butdemand goes up. Fletty is now challenging others to give what they can.

“In the winter, we think about it. Toys for Tots, and I don’t think people realize how much food is needed how many people are in need,” says Fletty.

Lee is thankful for the food she received Thursday. She has a job interview on Monday and hopes things will start turning around.

“It helps enormously. My trunk is full and I'm very, very grateful for it. You have no idea.”