The City of Hastings has proclaimed that the Hastings community will work together during the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign to drive out hunger and restock the Market food shelf at Hastings Family Service (HFS).
All monetary gifts and pounds of food and care items collected through April 6 will be proportionately matched by Minnesota Foodshare to support HFS food programs, making an even greater impact.
Community members can help in multiple ways. Financial gifts can be made online, mailed, or dropped off at HFS. The community is also invited to attend special fundraising and collection events throughout the month.
Hastings Family Service Executive Director Amy Sutton was on hand at the Hastings City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 26 as the council read a proclamation in support of the Minnesota Foodshare March campaign.
“As you know, Hastings Family Service is only as strong as this community, and the community steps up when there’s a need,” said Sutton. “The fact is in the last couple of years, we have seen unprecedented need from families in our community. We’ve been able to meet that need because this community comes through and supports our work and supports our neighbor. We want to say thank you, and we’re looking forward to Minnesota FoodShare.”
The annual National Honor Society’s Food Drive has moved to March this year. NHS will be distributing empty paper grocery bags to area households to fill with nonperishable food items, to be collected on March 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. See the list of fun events in March or get details on the HFS website and join the community in supporting HFS!
A community favorite, Hastings Tastings, returns on March 25 showcasing the best from local restaurants. Limited tickets are available and can be purchased online, at the HFS Donation Center, Hastings Cub, and Hastings YMCA. Your $40 ticket can feed a family of four for a week while you enjoy the best meal of the year too!
The need for food continues to climb in Minnesota at a record-breaking pace and HFS is experiencing growth at an unprecedented rate. Since 2021, neighbors being served with a full-food order has more than doubled, with HFS distributing over 425,000 pounds of food last year. HFS Development and Community Relations Coordinator Kelly Carter indicates, “The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is a chance for the entire community to come together to fight hunger.”
With proportionate matching funds available, HFS can meet increased demand and provide healthy nutrition for individuals, families, and seniors. With every monetary gift, HFS is able to purchase a greater quantity of food through Second Harvest Heartland, providing the community with more help and more hope.
Join the citywide effort to drive out hunger! Learn more about events, get information on hosting a food and fund drive, and donate online at hastingsfamilyservice.org or call HFS at 651-437-7134.
HFS Minnesota FoodShare Events:
Weekends in March - Alexis Bailly Vineyard Nonperishable Food Collection
March 3 - 4-6 p.m. NHS Food Drive Pickup
March 10 – 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Reverse Food Truck at Coborn’s Hastings
March 15 – 11 a.m.-6 p.m. T-Rex Cookie Fundraiser in Eagan
March 18 - 5-7 p.m. Culver’s Night Hastings
March 19 - 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Reverse Food Truck at Allina Health Hastings Clinic (1880 N Frontage Rd)
March 19 - 4-7 p.m. Taproom Takeover at Spiral Brewery
March 25 - 4:30-7:30 p.m. Hastings Tastings
March 29 - 1-3 p.m. Reverse Food Truck at Cub Hastings
April 1 - 5-7 p.m. Culver’s Night Hastings
Visit hastingsfamilyservice.org for details.
