St. Joseph Community Food Shelf Hoping For Christmas In July

(KNSI) – The St. Joseph Community Food Shelf is in a giving mood this month.

The organization is hosting a special food drive dubbed “Christmas in July” to help it meet increased demand during the summer. President Julie Gravgaard says, “With kids home from school and food prices still on the rise, many local families need additional support this time of year, and we want to be able to serve.”

She adds that donations tend to flatline this time of year, which makes it difficult to support everyone in need. The food shelf is open from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can drop food off at 18 Birch Street or inside Coborn’s, Minnesota Street Market, or Obbink Distilling.

Minnesota food shelves continue to see more and more customers. Since the pandemic, they have seen three consecutive years of record demand. Across the state, the total number of visits jumped by over two million last year compared to 2022.

Gravgaard says, “We are most in need of breakfast syrup, peanut butter, canned fruit, feminine products, toilet paper, baby wipes, and diapers size 5 and 6.” The organization also accepts monetary donations.

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