By Tammi Holtorf

It all started less than 10 years ago, with a local farmer and a 50-lb. sack of potatoes. One Sunday, the farmer approached his pastor after church services and asked if some folks in the congregation might be able to use the extra food. The pastor knew of some families in need, and soon more potatoes and other food began to be dropped off at the church. Recognizing both a need for food among families in the community as well as an organized way to distribute it, members of the congregation formed a Board of Directors, and the Cannon Falls Food Shelf (CFFS) was born.

While still housed in the basement of that same church, the CFFS encompasses the whole community, in those people who volunteer, those who contribute food and financial support, and those clients who use it to meet their food needs. The CFFS offers four (4) regularly scheduled food distributions each month. Clients may visit the food shelf once each month and select their food choices from a menu offering a variety of nutritious options, including healthy proteins and dairy. Each monthly visit provides the client with 5-7 days worth of food for their family size. Emergency food provisions are also stocked and readily available for those clients facing an immediate food crisis. In 2009, approximately 160 families used the food shelf each month, and over 114,000 pounds of food were distributed.

In 2009, the CFFS was pleased to add another item to our client menus, and that was the question Is there a child in your family celebrating a birthday this month? If the client checks Yes, a Cheerful Givers Birthday Bag is packaged with the food order. This meaningful gift allows children in all circumstances to be recognized and celebrated on their special day.  Parents are truly delighted and thankful for the Birthday Bags. The CFFS thanks Cheerful Givers for their support and partnership to make each birthday a special birthday!

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