128 North Meridian Street, Belle Plaine, MN 56011
fighting hunger in our community
Providing food to those in need
Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf Free Food Distribution
We are so appreciative and proud of the twelve 3rd through 7th graders from the Scott West Wrestlers that showed up with their coaches, Justin Reinsma and Joe Tousignant, to distribute 300, twenty-one pound boxes of food to the Belle Plaine community on August 13th. They had plenty of energy and lots of fun and have asked to be included in any upcoming volunteer needs. We had several other volunteers join us as well. Thank you to all these volunteers that do a great service in helping the mission of the Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf, which is to provide food with respect and dignity to those in need in the Belle Plaine area by distributing and engaging in partnerships that advance self-sufficiency.
Covid 19
At the Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf, we continue to follow the government recommendations of social distancing, hand washing, disinfecting, wearing face coverings and using gloves. Masks/face coverings are also required for those who enter the food shelf to shop for food. We ask that you please stay at home if you are feeling sick. Along with keeping you fed, our goal also includes keeping all of us healthy and safe.
For Your Information
What is a SuperShelf
The Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf has done some renovation to the inside of the building to become a SuperShelf transformation site, creating a more welcoming, cheerful and updated shopping experience for our clients. 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.
Who is Eligible to use the Food Shelf
We try to make it as easy as possible for those in need to access food. No photo identification or legal documentation is required to access food, but we may request documents to verify your address. The Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf also serves participants from outside of our self-identified service area. Households with income below 200% of the poverty level or who receive assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, free and reduced school lunches, energy assistance or public housing, are eligible to shop at the food shelf monthly.
Backpack Program
We continue to offer our backpack program that began on March 18th of this year. These pre-packaged bags 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 there restocking shelves or during our regular business hours: Wednesdays 5 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. There is also a drop box on the side of our building where shelf-stable items can be left. Of course, we ALWAYS need toilet paper if you have a roll or two to spare!
Our Needs
Our immediate concern is for the kiddos who will be losing access to school breakfasts and lunches. Items we are looking for are those easy for kids to prepare on their own such as:
Cereal
Canned tuna and chicken
Peanut butter
Pretzels, crackers and rice cakes
Canned ravioli
Canned spaghetti
Canned soups and chili
Applesauce and fruit cups
Macaroni and cheese
Granola bars
Cup-O-Noodles
Ramen Noodles
Other ways to contribute:
Food rescue
Weekly delivery truck unloading
Composting and recycling
Marketing
Fundraising
Cleaning
Computer help
Volunteer!
Would you be able to give three hours of your time for one Saturday a month from 9:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. to volunteer at the food shelf? If you can and are interested, contact Annalee Balk, Food Shelf Volunteer Coordinator, at annaleebalk@gmail.com or leave a message at 952-956-4004.