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Serving the community since 1977, the WBAEFS works toward increasing access to healthy food for all our neighbors in the White Bear Area.
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November 2018




Dear Friends,

October winds brought the last of the root vegetables from our Giving Garden supporters, a cover crop planted on the food shelf garden to enrich next year’s soil, and an

abundance of speaking requests to various churches, businesses, cable networks and more as our attention shifts from the growing season to the giving season.

This month, as in years past, I’ve had the honor of speaking at various workplace giving events about the good work of the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf, our generous community, and the growing need for food many local families are experiencing.  Often, and much to the surprise of those organizing such events, there are neighbors sitting in the audience who have and do utilize the food shelf.  The irony of the situation seems to always catch me off guard.

I arrive at such events prepared to educate folks on the need and raise funds to do the work. I speak about the growth in our programs- nearly doubling the amount of families served each month since 2015.  I describe our new innovative programs such as our Mobile and Free Farmer’s Markets that allow us to reach 60% more seniors than we did the year before.  I tell them about Give A Gobble and how a donation at Kowalskis and Cub Foods this November can provide a Thanksgiving Feast to 400 local families.

I share with them stories of mothers and fathers struggling to provide healthy groceries for their families, many working two or three jobs, making too much to qualify for county or federal assistance but not enough to make ends meet. It’s usually at this point in my presentation that I see heads nod, and a reddening of eyes on the faces I recognize.

As there was a point in my childhood that we were just barely scrapping by due to a job loss and divorce, I know that life can change in an instant. I know how hard my mom worked to keep a roof over our head. I watched her struggle, face flushed with humiliation as she asked for help.
 
Someone asked me this week, “Why should folks give over the holidays?”
 
My answer, "because you can."

With Gratitude,
Andrea Kish-Bailey
Executive Director
 
“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

The Food Shelf
In the News

Give A Gobble for a local family this Thanksgiving! 

$25 will provide a turkey and all the fixings for a Thanksgiving Feast to a local family this Holiday Season.

Donations in any amount can be made directly at the cash registers at Kowalski's Markets in WBL and the Cub Foods in White Bear Township. 
 
Join in the great Minnesota Give Together on Thursday, November 15th and Give To the Max to your local food shelf!
 
All donations made on November 15th will be matched by our generous Give A Gobble sponsors to stretch each dollar further in providing an abundance of healthy groceries and meaningful support to our neighbors. 

The Food Shelf
Upcoming Events


The Food Shelf
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES


Doesn't she look happy?

Sandy is looking for help sorting food and stocking shelves on Monday mornings from 8-10 am. Other shifts are also available including evenings and weekends.

 
Attend a volunteer orientation to learn more!  
Sign up for an Orientation

Did you know, Americans waste about 200 billion pounds of food each year? 

Help us rescue it! Do you have a minivan, truck, or SUV and want to put it to work?

Consider volunteering a couple of hours each week as a rescue food driver.

THE WHITE BEAR AREA EMERGENCY FOOD SHELF
info@whitebearfoodshelf.org | (651) 407-5310 | www.whitebearfoodshelf.org

Our Mailing Address is:

White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf
1884 Whitaker Street
White Bear Lake, MN 55110

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White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf · 1884 Whitaker Street · White Bear Lake, MN 55110 · USA

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