Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf Receives $2,000 Donation from the Minnesota Grocers Association

Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf recently received a $2,000 donation through the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) Bag Hunger Campaign. The campaign was coordinated by the MGA and included over 300 MGA retail members, 10 vendor partners, and community food banks and food shelves across Minnesota.

Coborn’s, Sauk Rapids and Post Consumer Brands, Lakeville are two of 16 companies statewide that were recognized for their exceptional efforts to end hunger in their communities through the campaign, with stores and vendors encouraging consumers to contribute by donating grocery items in-store or by rounding up the total of their purchases.

“We are again excited to be able to support our local partner, Catholic Charities, in fighting food insecurity in our community with this donation, thanks to the Bag Hunger Campaign and our customers,” said Dennis Host, Vice President/Marketing, for Coborn’s, Inc. “We know that this donation will be put to good work to support the families in our community who will benefit. Thank you to our customers for their generosity in supporting this very worthy cause.”

“Post Consumer Brands considers hunger relief, and serving those in need, to be part of our mission and we are thrilled to support the Minnesota Grocers Association’s Bag Hunger Campaign,” said Greg Hasper, Vice President Sales – Wholesale Team of Post Consumer Brands. “We have amazing partnership with our customers, and together we strengthen our communities.”

For their joined effort in promoting the Bag Hunger Campaign and as winners, each company received $1,000 to donate to a food charity of their choice, and a virtual donation of $2,000 was made to Catholic Charities Food Shelf. Customarily, the contribution is made during an in-person presentation, and this change in format was used to respect the industry best practices due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We thank these two companies for working with the MGA and giving this generous donation to help fight hunger in our community,” said Sue Hanks, Program Manager, Catholic Charities Emergency Services. “In partnering with local businesses, groups, organizations and individuals TOGETHER we can make a difference and strengthen our community. Minnesota’s grocers, vendors and their customers have proven that together, we can succeed in the fight to end hunger.”

In this year alone, the organized efforts of the campaign and its participating companies collectively raised over 1.7 million meals. Since 2008, participants in the MGA’s hunger campaign programs have provided nearly 41 million meals to hungry families in Minnesota.

“It was exciting to see these partnerships develop over the years. It’s an inspiration how everyone’s hard work on the Bag Hunger Campaign makes a positive difference for Minnesota families in need,” said Jamie Pfuhl, President of the MGA. “I applaud Coborn’s, Sauk Rapids and Post Consumer Brands, Lakeville on their successes and innovative partnership in this campaign. All of our participants did a great job raising awareness on a community level and rallying consumers behind this important cause.”

The MGA is the only state trade association that represents the food industry of Minnesota from farm to fork, and is the oldest trade association in the state, celebration over 120 years of advancing industry.

The mission of Catholic Charities Emergency Services is to uphold individuals experiencing emergency situations by providing food, clothing and financial assistance in a compassionate, respectful and dignified manner. Catholic Charities Food Shelf is here to provide nutritious food, essential personal care necessities and to instill hope to our neighbors in need.