March is Minnesota FoodShare Month!

The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is happening now —and we urgently need your support!

From now through April 6, East Side Neighborhood Services (ESNS) is participating in Minnesota’s largest grassroots food and fund drive. Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is a powerful opportunity to S-T-R-E-T-C-H your generosity because every donation to our food programs counts toward a match–meaning your gift of food or funds will go even farther for neighbors who need it most.

Many families in our community are navigating sudden setbacks and financial strain. Recent policy changes to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) have impacted household food budgets, leaving more neighbors unsure of how they will keep food on the table. For many seniors, working families and households with children, even a small reduction in benefits such as SNAP can mean skipped meals as housing and medical costs often take priority. 

As a result, the need at ESNS’ three vital food shelves — the Glendale Food Shelf, the Senior Food Shelf, and the High Rise Mobile Food Shelf — continues to grow. Our neighbors rely on us for consistent access to nutritious, culturally familiar food that supports their health, stability, and dignity.

Your financial support will be put to work immediately to feed neighbors most in need. Your donation allows us to purchase food in bulk from local partners at deeply discounted rates — stretching every dollar to put more meals on more tables. For example: 

• $25 – purchases 1 case of bananas, serving 30 households  
• $50 – purchases two cases of canned tuna, stocking the Senior Food Shelf for one week with a shelf stable protein source  
• $75 – fuels one High Rise Mobile Food Shelf delivery truck for a week  
• $100 – purchases halal goat meat for 10 families  
• $500 – sponsors one summer produce event, distributing fresh fruits and vegetables to over 100 households

Your contribution today will help us ensure no one in our community goes hungry. Thank you for standing with your neighbors and for believing in our shared vision of a community where every person thrives and every voice matters.