IOCP Participates In State’s Largest Food Drive At Time Of Critical Need

For the 27th year, Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) is participating in the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, the largest food and fund drive in the state. In 2008, IOCP distributed 753,556 pounds of food in response to 12,267 requests. The organization saw use of its food shelf go up 28 percent compared to the previous year, on par with national trends.

“This is a time of critical need,” said IOCP Director of Volunteer Services Susan Fetterer. “With the recession, families we’ve served in the past need groceries more than ever. Their budget simply doesn’t cover the cost of the basics.”

IOCP operates one of the few food shelves in the state that allows weekly visits. It is also the only food shelf to serve the more than 85,000 individuals living in Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata.

Leveraged Contributions

The Minnesota FoodShare Campaign runs March 1 through April 3, 2009. It is the only time of the year contributions to food shelves leverage additional dollars. IOCP’s Food Shelf receives an allocation based on its percent of the total collected. During the 2008 March campaign, the community donated 47,280 pounds of food and $18,981, allowing IOCP to replenish high-demand items.

For the second year, IOCP is also leveraging food and cash donations to its food shelf through the Feinstein Foundation Challenge. To qualify, monetary donations must be received between March 1 and April 30. The Feinstein Foundation is dedicated to ending hunger in America by supporting local agencies such as IOCP. The foundation divides $1 million proportionately among participating agencies.

Easing the Burden

The current recession, while driving up food shelf use and frequency of use, has spawned government efforts to ease the burden on facilities. “There has been a marked increase of TEFAP (The Emergency Family Assistance Program) products available to agencies at no cost,” explained Fetterer. “Additionally, the cost per pound for purchasing food through Second Harvest has dropped from 16 cents to 12 cents. For IOCP, that has meant a 25 percent increase in purchasing power.”

How to Donate

During the March campaign, food donations to IOCP’s Food Shelf may be dropped off Mondays 8:30 a.m.–11 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays 8:30–11 a.m.; Wednesdays 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 6 p.m.; Thursdays 8:30 a.m.–11 a.m.; and Fridays 9 a.m. to noon at IOCP, 110 Grand Ave., Wayzata, Minnesota.

To make a large food donation, call Susan Fetterer at (952) 516-6061. Cash donations may be sent by mail to IOCP (designate “Food Shelf” in memo line) or dropped off at IOCP’s front desk.