WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     westbrook  — You can be a Hunger Hero by donating money and food items to your local food shelf. In the Westbrook area your donations of cash and food will help  to feed more than 50 families a month. That is how many families use Mary and Martha’s Pantry food shelf in Westbrook. The food shelf distributed over 40,850 pounds of food in  2012, served a total of 2,080 individuals, and a  total of 471 households were served also.

    According to Margaret Palan, Community Resource Specialist, volunteers contributed a total of 1,911 hours in 2012. She said, “We couldn’t keep our food shelves open without the great help from our volunteers! They are the best! We are always looking for more volunteers  to shop with clients or unload the food truck from Second Harvest once a month on a Thursday.”



    After meeting eligibility requirements, clients are allowed to visit once a month if needed. Senior citizen numbers are up, serving an average of 18 a month, age 65 and over. Income  eligibility is 200 percent of the Federal Poverty level.

    Volunteers and families are asking your help and continuing  support of gifts in money, food, time, talent or treasures.  

    During Minnesota FoodShare month all donations are spread further through the generosity of the Feinstein Foundation. The foundation, in addition to coordinating FoodShare Month, also distributes money to food shelves state wide through a “Food Fund”. FoodShare works year round to get donations from corporations, individuals, foundations and businesses. One hundred percent  of all donations received in March go directly to the fund as well. Dollars from the fund are distributed to local food shelves based on the numbers of individuals served. Local donations stay local.

    Foundation benefactor Allan Feinstein will give one million dollars back to the food shelves across the country. Participating food shelves will receive money from the foundation divided proportionately in full among agencies  receiving donations toward this offer. When asked why he continues to do this, he states that “my money started this campaign but it is you who will help decide how many hungry people in your town will be fed this year.  All that will matter to us someday is what we did while we were here to help those who needed us”.

    Locally Mary and Martha’s Pantry is staffed by director Kathy Zens, and volunteers Carol Olsem, Roger Bunkers, Mary and Dennis Lidtke, Mary Ann Gross,  and  Fran Falk.

    Mary & Martha’s Pantry -Donation drop off hours: Mondays 1:30-3:30 p.m.; PO Box 71, Westbrook, MN 56183.

    Food Shelf Hours for clients: Mondays 1:30-3:30 p.m.

    Food Shelf Street Address: 524 1st Ave.,  Westbrook, MN

    We greatly appreciate your support and effort in this March Food Drive. Again all donations stay local.  Together, we can make a difference in our community!