Demands on food shelves continue to rise

ICA food shelf in Excelsior
Sorting through donations at the ICA food shelf in Excelsior, Minnesota.
MPR Photo/Elizabeth Stawicki

Food shelf use continues to climb across the state.

That has some officials worried they won't be able to keep up with the demand. Sue Kainz, with the food pantry network Minnesota FoodShare, said many food shelves have been able to keep up with demand by making food and fundraising goals, but others have not kept pace with demand.

Kainz said FoodShare reached its combined goal of $9 million and pounds during the March food drive.

Kainz said some areas of the state are experiencing higher demand for food than others.

In St. Cloud, for example, she said food shelves are seeing about 200 more visits a month compared to last year.

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