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   Every March, Minnesotans band together in the biggest annual effort to raise money for food shelves across the state. The Longville Area Food Shelf is once again participating in GMCC’s (Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches) Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, running from Saturday, March 1, 2025 – Sunday, April 6, 2025.  Donations made during this time count toward our 2025 MN FoodShare Campaign.  The more that is raised locally, the larger the share of the statewide campaign funds which will come directly to the Longville Area Food Shelf (LAFS).

   A new reality: For the past few years, LAFS has come to you with a message of urgency as we break RECORD AFTER RECORD for food distributed and people served. It’s time to acknowledge that this is the new reality.

   In 2024, our food shelf usage increased 26% over 2023. We served 334 households consisting of 1,188 adults, senior citizens, and children. These households visited us a total of 2,036 times, averaging 170 families per month. This is a 77% increase over our pre-Covid numbers. We distributed 163,241 pounds of food. We also helped 42 families with emergency assistance for things like rent, shelter, heat, and more.   

   “Food shelves are overwhelmed by the increase in visits, and campaigns like this are crucial in helping us to continue to meet the need,” said Jan Kelley, Longville Area Food Shelf, board president.

   This past year, due to less availability, we were only able to purchase about half of our food from Second Harvest (the Minnesota Food Bank who supplies food at discounted prices). We have had to find other sources of healthy foods that are more expensive. This caused our food costs to increase significantly.  We hear in the news that the economy is thriving, but LAFS’s work in the community tells a story of people being left behind. 

   About GMCC’s Minnesota FoodShare

   Founded in 1981, Minnesota FoodShare is a long-standing brand of GMCC’s food security and justice work. Our annual March Campaign engages thousands of people to raise food and funds for our food shelf partners across Minnesota. During the March Campaign and throughout the year, Minnesota FoodShare raises and distributes funding to food shelves and other partners addressing urgent issues of food security.

   About the Longville Area Food Shelf: The Longville Area Food Shelf opened in 1997 in the basement of a funeral home in Longville. In 2000 a “clothing depot” was added. This clothing depot slowly evolved, and in 2007 Tossed & Found Boutique opened its doors.  Tossed & Found supports the Longville Area Food Shelf and our community by offering quality, gently used merchandise and an extraordinary shopping experience. The proceeds from the Tossed & Found pay 100% of the overhead costs for the Food Shelf. This means that 100% of all donated money is used exclusively for food and emergency assistance to our food shelf shoppers.

   Food, water, clothing, sleep, and shelter are the bare necessities for anyone’s survival.  For many people, these basic needs cannot be met without the aid of charitable organizations, like the Longville Area Food Shelf. Please help to make a difference in our community. With your help, we can work to relieve some of the struggles of having to choose between buying food or paying rent.    

   We have a lofty goal this year to raise $60,000 during the March Food Share Campaign. You can help us to reach this goal by making a gift to the Longville Area Food Shelf. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 308, Longville, MN 56655, dropped off at the Food Shelf or Tossed & Found, or make an online donation at GiveMN.com.

   We remain humbled and grateful for your continued support. We wouldn’t be here today to help families in need without our caring and generous neighbors and friends.  Thank you for your support!

To contact the food shelf: Andrea Richard, 218-363-3949 or 

e-mail: [email protected]

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