White Bear Area Food Shelf

Food Shelf donations eligible for 100% match during Give to the Max 2023

For all new and increased donations, a generous donor will match 100% of every $1 given to the White Bear Area Food Shelf during Give to the Max.

Help us reach our Give to the Max fundraising goal: $10,000

The White Bear Area Food Shelf (WBAFS) has served as a critical resource for families struggling with food insecurity since 1977. Over the past four decades, we have grown and improved our traditional food shelf programming in addition to creating new and innovative services to better meet the needs of our neighbors. 

“This place is proof positive of how neighbors look out for and support their community; whether you volunteer, donate, or have hit a rough patch in life...there's a place for everyone here." – a neighbor

Food insecurity has increased significantly since the pandemic. We’ve seen unprecedented growth in demand this year due to inflation and a return to pre-pandemic levels of food assistance by the SNAP program.

• Food Shelf visits doubled in 2019-2022, and grew this year by another 29%, now averaging 3,642 visitors/month, with 168 new visitors/month.
• Our Curbside Pick-up program grew the most, year, up 42%, and inthe past three months we've averaged 112 visitors/day at our 3-hour market.

To meet this need the food shelf will open a second location, The Community Market, in early 2024. This neighborhood market will focus on fresh produce, deli, and bakery items. Neighbors in need can choose the items that best fit their families preferences and needs. Additionally, The Community Market will provide office space for other support partners in our community to connect people with additional services onsite like housing and rental assistance, early childhood resources, and mental health support. 

This new Community Market will double our capacity to serve, but also increase our need for volunteers and raise our budget by 50%.

Please join us in serving our community when it matters most.