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   In July, the Longville Area Food Shelf holds a personal care drive to help collect personal care items that are hard to get and costly to purchase. This year the personal care drive hand in hand with the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Grant program, sponsored by Hunger Solutions.  

   The annual grant program held during the month of July provides a proportional grant to match financial donations made in July, to participating Minnesota Food Shelves like the Longville Area Food Shelf.

   The Open Your Heart Summer Challenge aims to boost food shelves in Minnesota when they need it most. During the summer months, food shelf donations are traditionally low and this summer the need is even greater. During the month of July, all monetary donations will be met with a matching grant.

   The persistent economic difficulties brought on by the pandemic and rising inflation have led to a continued dependence on food shelves for many households to fulfill their nutritional requirements. In 2023, the need for resources from food shelves surged significantly as further aid programs came to an end and food costs climbed. Consequently, food shelves are increasingly counting on assistance from organizations like Open Your Heart to aid individuals facing hunger challenges. The Challenge Grant presents a matching fund opportunity for food shelves, allowing them to maximize their local fundraising efforts in July. The distribution of funds from this grant is based on the total funds raised by each participating food shelf in July and the number of food shelves involved, with grants ranging from a minimum of $150 to a maximum of $4,000.

   You can donate needed personal care items (listed below) by dropping them off at the Longville Area Food Shelf, Tossed & Found, or one of the 4 local churches. Monetary donations will be matched with the open your heart matching grant. If you make a monetary donation and want the money to be used exclusively for personal care, please write Personal Care in the memo box of your check. Monetary donations can be mailed to PO Box 308, Longville MN 56655, online at GiveMN.com, or dropped off in person at the food shelf or Tossed & Found.  

   Personal Care Items needed: shampoo and conditioner, body wash, deodorant, dish soap, feminine hygiene products, laundry soap, toothbrushes and paste and shaving razors.

   Remember – 100% of your monetary donations are used to benefit food shelf shoppers, who are also our neighbors and friends!  All overhead costs are paid with proceeds from Tossed & Found Boutique.

   We remain humbled and grateful for your continued support. We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our caring and generous community. Thank you for your support!

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