“The Mission Impossible Team will be in town,” said Larry Goehring of the NRAFS. “They will be appearing at area churches and other special events throughout the month. Their mission — and they have decided to accept it — is to raise $5,000 and 5000 pounds of food by March 31.”

The following are the numbers from the two area food shelves for 2010:

New Richland Area — 1651 adults, 1898 children, 190 seniors, 429 families, 43,885 pounds of food.

Ellendale Area — 1,411 individuals, 15,682 pounds of food.

The two food shelves combined for the Backpack program at Ellendale Elementary School which provided 1053 children with 2586 pounds of food.

“Our goal in Ellendale is to raise $5000 and/or pounds of food combined,” said Bethany Mikesell of the Ellendale Area Food Shelf. “The most needed items are toiletries, (toilet paper, toothpaste and toothbrushes) soaps, (hand soap and shampoo); soups, canned meats, macaroni and cheese, fruits and vegetables.”

Mayor Tom McShane of New Richland and Mayor Steve Engel of Ellendale will both be proclaiming March as Food Share month in their respective cities.

Some food for thought:

• Of those who use Minnesota food shelves, 47 percent of adults and 14 percent of children skip meals because there is not enough food for them at home.

• Children still represent about half of those served at food shelves.

• Hunger touches people of every age; 56 percent of food shelf visitors are families with children and 20 percent are seniors.

• From 2000 to 2010, food shelf use has tripled — from more than one million visits to more than three million visits annually.

The NRAFS has the following events scheduled for Food Share month:

March 5 — Noon-5 p.m. Fill the van at Hyvee in Waseca.

March 19 — 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wagners in New Richland.

March 25 — TBA. Chili cook-off at New Richland Liquor Company. Proceeds will be given to NRAFS.

March 27 — Sunday brunch at The Willows. $2 of every buffet purchased will be given to NRAFS.

Anyone wishing to donate food items or cash donations may contact either food shelf.

New Richland Area Food Shelf
c/o Trinity Lutheran Church
204 NW 1st St.
New Richland, MN 56072
(507) 463-3421

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Ellendale Area Food Shelf
PO Box 295
Ellendale, MN 56026
(507) 688-0518

“It saddens me to think there are children in America who are hungry every day of their lives. No one can live — and grow — without such a fundamental necessity as food. If we Americans reach out to our own communities, we could end this crisis.”

— Tim McGraw, Country music star.