Food bank is busy as holidays approach

With the economy in trouble and Thanksgiving just around the corner, more families are going to the Emergency Foodshelf Network to ask for help with putting food on the table.

Last update: November 18, 2008 - 7:01 PM

With the economy in trouble and Thanksgiving just around the corner, more families are coming forward to ask for help with putting food on the table.

The Emergency Foodshelf Network, based in New Hope, says calls have been pouring in for its Baskets of Hope, which provide the makings of a traditional holiday meal for a family of up to eight.

The organization started distributing its load of 2,500 baskets last weekend for Thanksgiving, but was still getting requests from families hoping to receive a basket, said Marilee Jennissen, donor relations coordinator.

The nonprofit food bank hopes to be able to provide 2,500 more baskets for families at Christmas.

"There's so much need out there. It's heartbreaking,'' Jennissen said.

The network distributes millions of pounds of food each year to hunger relief programs around the state and runs a variety of programs to help people in need. In one sign of the growing need, food shelf visits were up 39 percent for the third quarter of 2008, covering July through September, compared with the same period in 2007, Jennissen said.

"We're expecting it to be a very tough winter'' for many families, she said.

To donate, call 763-450-3860 or go online to www.emergencyfoodshelf.org.

KATHLEEN CLONTS

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