128 North Meridian Street, Belle Plaine, MN 56011
Fighting hunger in our community
We are Officially a SuperShelf!
The Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf is now officially a SuperShelf! A SuperShelf offers a wide variety of foods, increasing the quantity and accessibility of better foods for healthier living - less processed foods, more fresh fruits and veggies, healthy recipes and samples.
Anyone in Need of Food Can Shop at the Food Shelf.
We try to make it as easy as possible for those in need of food to participate in our program. We may ask for documents to verify your address but otherwise, no questions will be asked and no photo identification or legal documentation is required to access food. The Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf also serves participants from outside of our self-identified service area.
Are You Interested in Donating Food?
Below is a list of suggested foods we could use:
Fresh produce
Fresh or frozen meat
Milk (unflavored nonfat, skim, and low-fat)
Shelf stable milk or non-dairy alternatives
Cake mixes
Pie fillings
Boxed Jello and pudding mixes
Muffin mixes
Whole-wheat pasta
Barley
Brown rice
Wild rice
Boxed whole-grain cereal, unsweetened
Rolled oats
Low-sodium nuts
Peanut butter
Almond butter
Cashew butter
What's Happening at the Food Shelf
Backpack Program
We will be offering our backpack program again this year. Backpacks can be picked up at the food shelf during regular business hours or anytime you see someone there. No registration is needed; no questions are asked. We only ask that kids let us know what school they attend. Donations can be dropped off Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays around 9 a.m., as volunteers are usually there restocking shelves, or during our regular business hours: Wednesdays 5 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. There is also a drop box on the side of our building where shelf-stable items can be left. Suggested kid-friendly food Items to donate:
- Pop-top tuna
- 100% fruit roll-ups
- Raisins or other dried fruits
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Fruit cups
- Pudding cups
- Low-sugar cereals
- Pretzels
- 100% fruit juice boxes
- Granola bars
- Pop-top soups
- Low-fat, whole grain muffins
- Whole grain crackers
The Feast
Mark your calendars for "The Feast", Sunday, November 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Oak Crest. The meal is free of charge, but a free will offering will be taken with 100% of this offering to be given to the kids of Belle Plaine that are not able to pay for and participate in extra-curriculum activities. If you have questions, feel free to call Betsy at 952-649-2499.
Corona Virus Updates
With recent statistics showing an increase again in Covid 19 and its variants, below are ways to protect yourself and others:
- Get vaccinated and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines
- Wear a mask
- Stay 6 feet away from others
- Test to prevent spread to others
- Wash your hands often
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect
- Follow recommendations for quarantine
- Follow recommendations for isolation
- Please stay at home if you are feeling ill.
Our goal continues to be keeping all of us healthy and safe.
Volunteer!
Why Should You Volunteer?
Do you have a passion for serving and specifically in areas where the basic need for food is met? Would you like an opportunity to give back to your community and make a difference to the people that suffer from hunger? Please consider volunteering at the Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf. Your commitment would be minimal working only one time a month. We need volunteers Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. If you are interested in volunteering, text Betsy at 952-649-2499
Other ways to contribute:
Food rescue
Weekly delivery truck unloading
Composting and recycling
Marketing
Fundraising
Cleaning
Computer help
