Catholic Charities Announces the 11th Annual Pack the Porches Food and Fund Drive in Partnership with the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign

March 1, 2021

Did you know that 1 in 9 Minnesotans are expected to face hunger in coming months, including working families, children, seniors and post-secondary students?

This March, as part of the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, Catholic Charities will hold its 11th annual Pack the Porches food and fund drive, benefitting Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf.

On Friday, March 19, from 7 am to 1 pm, Catholic Charites Food Shelf will accept donations of nonperishable food items at two curbside drop-off locations: Pioneer Place on Fifth, 22 5th Ave S, St. Cloud; and St. Cloud Hyundai, 900 2nd St S, Waite Park. Coborn’s will match all food and fund donations up to $10,000. Funds can also be donated at both locations and online at ccstcloud.org.

March is typically a challenging month for Minnesota food shelves, as the number of families being served the first months of the year and the amount of food going out the door is considerably greater than the amount of food coming in during the same period. By donating to Catholic Charities Food Shelf during the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, donations stay local but count towards a statewide effort to help stock the shelves of every food shelf in the state. The share of the statewide campaign will be even greater the more that can be raised locally. Join Catholic Charities to end Minnesota hunger and increase awareness of food insecurity within the St. Cloud area.

Can’t make it to Pack the Porches? The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign runs March 1 through April 11. Catholic Charities Food Shelf is accepting food donations during limited hours through a drop-off model on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm at the loading area of 157 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud, Door D (back of building). Please do not leave donations outside the door; donations must be collected and weighed by Catholic Charities staff to ensure food safety standards and inventory tracking. Outside of this time, please contact info@ccstcloud.org or 320-229-4560 to coordinate another drop-off time. Funds can also be donated in person or online. Visit ccstcloud.org to learn more.

About Minnesota FoodShare and the March Campaign

Minnesota FoodShare is an interfaith organization aiming to fight food insecurity and raise awareness of it among Minnesota communities. The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is the largest annual grassroots food and fund drive in the state, and helps to stock nearly 300 food shelves statewide. During the 2020 March Campaign, more than 21.5 million dollars and over 7.4 million pounds of food shelf items were raised by Minnesota food shelves.

To date, Minnesota FoodShare has distributed over 18 million dollars to March Campaign participating food shelves via the Minnesota FoodShare FoodFund. 100 percent of donations received by Minnesota FoodShare during the March Campaign go into the FoodFund and are distributed to March Campaign participating food shelves, including Catholic Charities.

Minnesota FoodShare envisions a future where all Minnesotans have access to healthy food and no one struggles with food insecurity. The March Campaign addresses these issues directly and Minnesota FoodShare invites you to join their efforts and advocate for long-term solutions to food insecurity and poverty in our communities.

Minnesota FoodShare began its work in 1982 with a campaign advanced by congregations to restock food shelves in the 7-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The effort was so successful and the need was so evident, the March Campaign became a statewide program just one year later.

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At Catholic Charities Emergency Services, we see countless acts of kindness every day, but a recent donation from a remarkable young man left a special mark on our hearts. On a chilly Friday afternoon, Bryce, a 17-year-old student at Albany High School, donated an impressive 860 pounds of squash. This generous gift highlights the power of community support, proving that even in challenging times, there is always hope. Bryce has grown his own pumpkins, squash, and gourds under the name Bryce Pumpkin’s, which has become known for fresh, locally grown produce. His efforts extend beyond growing, as he sells his harvest at farmers markets and even had a booth at the Made in Minnesota Expo in November, supporting local businesses and sustainable farming. What makes his story even more inspiring is how Bryce uses his success to give back. His donation will directly help families in need through our food shelf, which serves St. Cloud and surrounding areas. Bryce’s squash donation will be a vital part of our monthly food distribution, helping to provide nutritious meals to hundreds of families in our community. His gesture demonstrates not only a heart full of compassion but also the interconnectedness of local farmers, businesses, and families. When young people like Bryce step up, it’s a reminder that the future is well cared for. Bryce’s story proves that even small acts of kindness can grow into something truly transformative. Through donations like Bryce’s, we are able to provide food to those who need it most, including seniors on fixed incomes and single parents working multiple jobs. The connection between local farmers and organizations like Catholic Charities sustains our community and fosters hope for those struggling. Looking ahead to the upcoming growing season, we’re excited to see what other generous community members, like Bryce, will share. His efforts remind us that every small contribution adds up to something much bigger, and it’s not just about the food—we’re also strengthening our community and inspiring hope for all.

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