Hastings Family Service is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless 10th annual Summer Challenge in July. Each participating food shelf, including Hastings Family Service, receives a proportionate match based on the amount raised throughout the month of July. The more funds donated to HFS in July, the larger the matching grant will be.

Summer is traditionally a busy time at food shelves because families with children must provide more meals at home and often have increased childcare expenses as well. According to Amy Sutton, Associate Director at Hastings Family Service, children typically make up over 50% of the hungry who receive food through the Market food shelf each year. Last year, Minnesotans made over 9,000 visits each day to food shelves statewide – that is six visits to a food shelf every minute. This year, those numbers are growing because the coronavirus has added another layer of difficulty and complexity for many families.

HFS has modified its food shelf to a drive thru model that provides a pre-packed box of non-perishable foods, personal care items as needed and a substantial amount of fresh foods based on family size. “Our priority is to provide nutritious food for those in our community who need a little help and hope while keeping our volunteers, staff, and the people we serve safe,” said Sutton. The HFS building is not open to the public at this time, but the food shelf and financial services can be accessed by calling 651-437-7134.

The OYH Summer Challenge helps to boost donations to MN food shelves when they need it most and is a partnership that helps to keep the Market at Hastings Family Service stocked with nutritious, fresh foods for families. Every dollar donated to HFS through July 31st will count toward the proportionate match. Go to www.hastingsfamilyservice.o rg to make your gift or to learn more about this matching gift opportunity.

Since 1986, Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless has targeted millions of dollars to strategically fight hunger in Minnesota. Open Your Heart funds the purchase and transfer of more than one million pounds of fresh produce, meat, and dairy products to Minnesota food shelves every year.