Minnesota Senate President Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) and House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) today announced the launch of the second annual Feeding Minnesota food drive, a joint effort of the Minnesota State House and Senate to raise money for Minnesota’s food shelves. The drive will be led by Senators, Representatives, and legislative staff in partnership with Second Harvest Heartland and the other Feeding America Network food banks throughout the state. The fundraiser will run from April 7 through April 23.
Last year’s inaugural Feeding Minnesota fundraiser was a tremendous success. In less than one month, the Senate-led effort raised $18,325 – more than triple the original goal of $5,000. The total included generous donations from members and staff of the Senate, individuals throughout the state, as well as donations from AT&T and the Minnesota Grocers Association.
“Demand for food assistance has skyrocketed due to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic,” said Senate President Miller. “Food banks, food shelves, and meal programs have mobilized like never before to connect food resources with our neighbors in need, but they still need our support. Last year’s fundraiser was an incredible success, and I’m hoping we will be able to help even more of our neighbors this year.”
“Due to COVID-19, an additional 275,000 Minnesotans — including 112,000 of our children — have faced hunger and food insecurity,” said Speaker Hortman. “While we’re hopeful that this pandemic is nearly behind us, Minnesotans around the state are still struggling and need help. I’m pleased the House and Senate are continuing this bipartisan, bicameral food drive, and I encourage my colleagues to donate.”
“Second Harvest Heartland and our partners at Minnesota’s Feeding America food banks have spent the last year in high gear, working around the clock to ensure no one is forced to fight COVID-19 hungry. All of us have had to give and receive help to get through this crisis, and we are so grateful that Minnesota’s state legislators are stepping up for the second year to help raise the funds we need to meet the increased need for food assistance that will be with us for years to come,” said Allison O’Toole, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland.
The public is also welcome to contribute to the effort by visiting http://support.2harvest.org/goto/FeedingMN.
All donors can remain anonymous should they choose. Donors can also choose to make their gift amount anonymous should they want to show that they donated but don’t want the amount to appear publicly.
The Feeding Minnesota Food Bank fundraiser will benefit the following Minnesota Cluster Member food banks: Second Harvest Heartland, Channel One Regional Food Bank, Great Plains Food Bank, North Country Food Bank, and Second Harvest North Central Food Bank. As members of the Feeding America network, these food banks are serving Minnesotans to ensure that as we fight the coronavirus, we aren’t doing so hungry.