Food shelf use remains high around the state despite low unemployment and an improved economy. Gennae Falconer with Minnesota FoodShare says some parents are skipping meals to make ends meet and to help ensure their kids have plenty to eat:
“Because that’s one of the expenses that you can cut down on. You know…you can’t cut down on what you’re paying for rent or utilities because otherwise it gets shut off. But you can cut down on what you’re eating.”
One in ten Minnesotans is food “insecure” and of those, one in six is a child.
Falconer says food shelf needs vary from location to location. If you are planning to donate over the holidays, she encourages you to call your local food shelf ahead of time to see what they may be in need of.
Full interview with Minnesota FoodShare’s Gennae Falconer: