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March is Minnesota FoodShare month and the Emily - Outing - Fifty Lakes Area Food Shelf's fund raising campaign to help raise money to assist the food shelf's operation is underway.

At the state level, Minnesota FoodShare also collects donations from larger corporations. These donations will be disbursed throughout the year to statewide food shelves based on how much each food shelf raises on their own. The more that a food shelf can raise will result in more donations coming from the state level back to the food shelf throughout the year.

With and an increase in the cost of food and fuel it is very difficult for families to make ends meet resulting in a 35 percent increase of individuals coming to the area food shelf. The Food Shelf serves families in the Emily, Outing, Fifty Lakes, Little Pine, Ross Lake, Fairfield and Perry Lake areas. Distribution day is the third Wednesday of each month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Emily City Hall, located at the north entrance.[[In-content Ad]]

As an added incentive to help raise funds, Alan S. Feinstein from Rhode Island annually divides $1 million among food shelves across the U.S., based on how many pounds of food and dollars each food shelf raises during the months of March and April, with a minimum of $250.00 to all food shelves applying to his challenging offer.

The Emily Branch of the Pine River State Bank is a drop off site for food or monetary donations for the area food shelf. Help fill the grocery cart provided and in turn help feed our local families. Food donations may also be left at area churches and the Emily Ace Hardware, or by calling 763-3097 to make other arrangements. All donations made in the area will stay in the area.

Checks made out to the Emily Food Shelf, can be either left at the Unity Bank, Emily branch, or mailed to Nancy Moritz, 42145 Birchwood Dr. Emily, MN 56447.

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