PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army Food Shelves Get $175k Boost from
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – March 15, 2010 – The Salvation Army has received a timely infusion of $175,000 from The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation for seven Salvation Army facilities offering food shelf or hot meal programs in the Twin Cities.
Each of the facilities will receive $25,000 to purchase food for the rush of individuals and families expected to need assistance in 2010. Last year, use of Twin Cities Salvation Army food shelves jumped nearly 125 percent, going from 30,000 people served in 2008 to 67,000 people in 2009. On several occasions, three of the food shelves ran out of supplies completely. The same high demand for food is expected to remain in 2010.
Among the seven facilities to receive funding is the West 7th Salvation Army in St. Paul, which has experienced a dramatic increase in need for its “Friday Food Share” program. The program started in April 2009, when about 60 people came every Friday of the month to receive bags full of fresh bread, produce and canned goods. Between October 2009 and January 2010, the average number of people coming each Friday spiked to more than 150.
“If the hunger crisis continues like last year, it is likely that we will need to spend up to $4 million on food-related assistance,” said Major Darryl Leedom, commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “This gift from The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation is a tremendous blessing. It will allow us to sustain our food outreach programs in a time when struggling local residents need our services most.”
Twin Cities residents are encouraged to join in contributing to Salvation Army food shelves now during the state’s largest food drive – Minnesota FoodShare’s “March Campaign.” The effort runs March 1–31, when individuals, businesses, nonprofits and others are urged to donate food or money to any of the state’s 300 food shelves.
The Twin Cities Salvation Army serves more than 200,000 people a year through its 25 local centers of operation. Daily it serves 2,000 hot meals and shelters 850 people. More than 14,000 local volunteers help The Salvation Army provide a multitude of services, from child daycare to senior housing. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a donation, please call 651-746-3400 or toll free at 800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave. N, Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
