Need for food help spikes after tornado

Many north Minneapolis residents affected by last weekend's tornado are seeking help feeding themselves and their families.

The neighborhood's NorthPoint Community Food shelf has seen a twofold increase in people coming for help since the tornado. The Salvation Army reports it's given out more than 40,000 pounds of food to people in the area.

Luann Schmaus, a public information officer for Hennepin County, said people are also going to the Tornado Recovery Center with food needs.

"They're asking for two things -- they're asking for immediate food help, and we're asking them to talk to the Salvation Army and local food shelves for immediate assistance, and then they're asking for Food Support."

Since Wednesday, about 200 people have applied for Food Support, also known as food stamps. Around 1,300 have applied for replacement benefits that are available to people who lost their food stamp cards in the storm.

Both the NorthPoint Community Food Shelf and the Salvation Army are collecting money and nonperishable foods.

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