Fast Facts

• One of the most common needs that brings families to IOCP is food.
• The IOCP food shelf serves the more than 90,000 residents of Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata.
• The food shelf serves an average of 225 households every week.
• Last year IOCP distributed 807,308 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 as often as once a week.
• Participants receive pre-packed bags of staples, meat, and bread. The quantity provided is based on family size and special needs.
• IOCP purchases food at $.12 to .20/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 2,074 food certificates. Food certificates of up to $20/month are used to purchase items not available in the food shelf, such as milk, dairy products, 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 Lynn Vettel or Liz Erstad at (952) 516-6061.

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