Second food shelf opens in Chaska as times get tight

Poverty is not the first thing that comes to mind when talking about Chaska, which has won acclaim as one of the most desirable places in the country to live.

But tough economic times have created the need for not one but two food shelves in the county seat of affluent Carver County.

The first food shelf, run by the nonprofit CAP Agency, opened during the summer, and the second opened on a limited basis last month.

"Unfortunately, I think there is going to be a growing need for that," Chaska Mayor Gary Van Eyll said. "We are a diverse community, and part of that diversity is how much money someone makes."

Scott Crook, pastor of Oasis Church in Chaska, which opened the Chaska Food Shelf on Nov. 22, agreed with the mayor that the current economic problems facing the country are having a ripple effect throughout communities like Chaska.

"Given the need, we expect to grow," said Crook. "We have begun to prepare our volunteers that there is going to be a greater need."

Crook said the church decided to start the food shelf about a year ago after moving to its new offices at Chaska Boulevard and Audubon Road. The food shelf is next door.

Van Eyll said that although he does not believe there are large pockets of poverty in Chaska itself. But because the city is the county seat, it's a good location from which to distribute food and other charitable items.

The CAP Agency, a nonprofit that serves the counties of Carver, Dakota and Scott, began operating its food shelf in August. The group does not have a religious component to its distributions.

Crook said Oasis, an evangelical Christian church, makes its religious services available to those who want to participate. But going to church or receiving religious instruction is not a requirement for getting food and assistance.

"We won't turn anybody away," said Crook, whose five-year-old church used to be based in Chanhassen. "Everyone gets food, regardless" of their religious affiliation.

During the food shelf's first day of operation on Nov. 22, church volunteers gave away about 500 pounds of food to about 55 families, Crook said.

Crook said the church, which has about 100 members, is looking for volunteers from the community at the food shelf, which will be open on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. He said the church is also accepting donations for the food shelf during the week at its headquarters from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

The CAP Agency, according to its website, also is constantly looking for donations.

"We believe God called us to minister to the community," Cross said in explaining why the church moved to Chaska. "We felt called to Chaska. There is a need here. It's just not as visible as other places."