Foodies, fun and philanthropy

Above: Andrew Zimmern, host of Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern" (and Twin Cities resident), stopped by the Salvation Army's Payne Avenue location in St. Paul to cook with chef Jeff Ansorge, as he prepared a meal Monday afternoon for donors and volunteers. Ansorge, former head chef at the Capital Grille in Minneapolis, now works at the free hot meal program at the Payne Avenue location, where he says, "I am doing what I love, for people I love, for the person I love — Jesus Christ." Zimmern asked all the kids who helped make posters (to thank him for his visit) to raise their hands when he dropped by to visit with Youth Director Antwan Flowers' after school program to promote Minnesota FoodShare Month.

LEFT: Zimmern dug in to mash a big batch of potatoes Monday at the Salvation Army kitchen.

For Minnesota FoodShare Month, the Twin Cities Salvation Army is featuring recipes from local foodies, including Zimmern. The recipes offer another chance for the nonprofit organization to show the community how it is working to bring nutritious food to people in need through its hot meal programs and eight area food shelves. To see the recipes and learn more about the event, visit SalvationArmyNorth.org.