In May I celebrated four years with the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf. In those four years, I’ve seen a lot of change. Changes to our space, our programs, and our processes have all been brought about from changes in our team. I have had the immense privilege of working with so many dedicated individuals that care deeply about our work. As each role changes, I get the opportunity to see the skills and knowledge of these people come to life.
When I look around, I see the innovations of our current team. This team has worked so tirelessly in the last few months to constantly respond to and foster positive change. These days of “new normal” have filled me with many emotions but I feel the need to experience gratitude regularly.
Thank you to all who have helped to make this place a home for me. I look forward to watching our home move gracefully through future uncertainty.
Amanda Lindorfer
Operations Coordinator
News at
The Food Shelf
While children are out of school for the summer, many families struggle to meet the increased need in their food budgets. And with the COVID-19 pandemic closing businesses, more of our neighbors are having a hard time making ends meet. That’s why the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf is here and working to meet the increased need in our community. To help us meet this need, we’re participating in Open Your Heart’s (OYH) annual Summer Challenge. Open Your Heart helps fund solutions to end hunger and homelessness.
As we take part in the OYH challenge during the month of July, the funds we raise will be proportionately matched up to $4,000. Will you help us rise to the challenge? Every $1 you give helps us buy $8 worth of groceries for our neighbors.
Please consider making a financial contribution during the month of July and help those who rely on us meet their daily food needs. Your contribution of any amount will have a significant impact on our efforts to fight hunger in our community by leveraging matching dollars from OYH. Please DONATE HERE or mail your donation to WBAEFS, 1884 Whitaker Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110.
Many thanks to the White Bear Lake Lion's Club for their generous match of financial donations received by the Food Shelf in June! We are excited to report that we blew past our goal and will receive the full $20,000 match. We truly appreciate the support from this important organization and for our amazing community that helped fully fund this goal!
Community Garden Update
Wander a few steps west of our front doors, through the trail of cedars and astilbe blossoms, and you’ll come upon prickly bushes speckled with red marbles. The raspberry thicket! Pop one – no, three! – into your mouth and bingo! The sweet flavor is unleashed upon your tongue.
Welcome to the entrance of our Community Roots Garden. This nestled haven is a testament to our dedication of making fresh and delicious foods available to everyone who comes to the food shelf. Each year its charms are a little different. The first year I was here, 2018, the okra was a huge hit. Last year the garlic and lemongrass came bursting into life. This year I’ve nicknamed the garden the “wild child”. With so much of our energies focused on safely morphing our operations in light of the pandemic, the garden has been left largely up to her own devices. Cilantro and calendula have self-seeded in a number of paths and rows. And glorious purple vervain made its first-ever appearance, traipsing in from the nearby wetland.
We haven’t given everything over to the wild, though. A duo of marvelous volunteers planted a lively assortment of tomatoes, peas, peppers, beans, basil, and other goodies this spring (Thank you, Virginia and Michelle!). Another amazing group installed drip irrigation. What a magical way of keeping our plants happy while using water wisely!
Fresh fruits and vegetables are some of the top items people ask for when they come to visit our food shelf and food shelves across Minnesota. We are delighted to provide a small (but mighty!) portion of such tasty and healthy options from our own backyard.
Gardeningly yours,
Sonja Tosteson Food Systems Coordinator
“So happy, so grateful that you are here! I feel blessed. Thank you so much!" - a message from a Neighbor about our Drive-Thru Food Shelf
Upcoming Events at
The Food Shelf
Our Free Farmers Markets are in full swing for 2020 at the locations listed above! Neighbors visiting the markets receive a variety of fresh produce at the drive-thru service model. Volunteers are still needed for some of the dates and those interested can SIGN UP HERE.
White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf info@whitebearfoodshelf.org | (651) 407-5310 |www.whitebearfoodshelf.org
1884 Whitaker Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Drive-Thru Food Shelf hours: M,W,F 10:00 am-12:30 pm | T,Th 4:30-7:00 pm
