Fast Facts

• One of the most common needs that brings families to IOCP is food.
• The food shelf serves an average of 200 households every week.
• Last year IOCP distributed 770,227 pounds of food to 1,241 households (3,852 individuals).
• 40% of people who use IOCP’s food shelf are children under the age of 17.
• IOCP provides supplementary, no-cost food to families every other week.
• Food shelf hours are Monday, 4-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, 9-11:30 a.m. and 4-7:30 p.m., Friday, 9-11:30 a.m.
• Participants are able to shop for the items they need, based on family size.
• IOCP purchases food at $.18/lb. from Second Harvest, compared to an average of $1.50/pound at retail stores.
• First-time food shelf users meet with a case manager, who discerns eligibility and helps people apply for governmental food benefits. We look to government programs as a first step before accessing IOCP resources.
• In the past year IOCP provided 1,947 food certificates. Food certificates of up to $20/month are used to purchase items not available in the food shelf, such as diapers and formula.
• The demand for food is highest during the summer, when children are home and not receiving free or reduced lunches at school. Increased summer daycare costs further strain already tight budgets. At the same time, food donations are down because donors are on vacation, churches experience reduced attendance, and civic groups take a break.
• IOCP’s food shelf is staffed by community volunteers.

Food donations are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Please schedule large donations by calling Liz Erstad-Hicks at (763) 489-7506.

Cash donations are accepted in person, by mail, or online.