Food shelf relies on community support to help those in need

WILLMAR, Minn. - It is a common misconception that the busiest time of year at food shelves is during the holiday season. At the Willmar Area Food Shelf, the demand is constant and growing. In five years, the number of families using the food shelf monthly has gone up dramatically from 674 in 2010 to 840 in 2015.

  “A lot of people are living paycheck to paycheck,” explained Alana Ziehl, food shelf executive director. All it takes is one missed paycheck before a family may find themselves at the food shelf.

The increase in need has led the food shelf to make some big, and expensive decisions, all in the name of helping as many people as it can. To meet these needs, the food shelf is also calling on the community for assistance, with a capital campaign to raise needed funds.

“Our capital campaign is a community effort,” said Ziehl.

In 2011, a construction project replaced the building entrance, remodeled the lobby area, shopping area and rear area along with adding insulation and siding on the exterior.

Even with that project, space was still at a premium at the downtown food shelf, especially with the increased number of patrons, Ziehl said. The building didn’t have the best flow, with deliveries coming through the same door as the clients and the two constantly bumping into each other.

The project that was begun earlier this year, estimated to cost $474,000, includes a new warehouse/receiving bay connected to the original building. This will not only get the delivery trucks and vans off the street, but also give the food shelf a large area to store the food and keep the delivery work separate from the clients receiving food, Ziehl explained. The shopping area is getting a major facelift, with expanded shelf space and a larger area to make get food easier.

Ziehl hopes the entire project will be completed in early March, in time for the food shelf’s annual drive.

“This should be it,” Ziehl said of construction projects at the food shelf. It is hoped the current project will set the food shelf up for years to come, even if use continues to grow the way it has been.

The goal of the capital campaign is to raise $300,000 to pay down a large chunk of the debt from the construction projects.

Without assistance to pay down the debt, an additional $2,000 will be added to the food shelf’s monthly operational expenses. Finances are tight with the food shelf running not only the Willmar building, but the satellite locations at Ridgewater College and in New London, Ziehl said.

“Right now we’re operating at a loss,” she said. The 2015 food shelf operating budget is $312,000, which includes wages, building expenses such as utilities, and food.

David Peterson, outgoing board president, said the food shelf would be able to cover the additional mortgage expenses, but raising the money through the capital campaign will make operating much easier.

Checks can be mailed to 624 Pacific Ave S.W., Willmar, or dropped off at the food shelf. Those inclined can also use the food shelf website at willmarafs.org. Ziehl said people should write on their checks whether they want their donation to go toward the capital campaign or food shelf operations.

Most of the financial support for the food shelf comes from individuals, churches and area businesses. Grants, trusts, civic and community groups, Kandiyohi County and the state are also part of the funding pie.

The Willmar Area Community Foundation awarded the food shelf a $50,000 matching grant: For every dollar donated, the foundation will donate a dollar up to $50,000. Other businesses are also helping out, said Ziehl, running their own promotions to raise money.

“Neighbors helping neighbors,” Peterson said.

Ziehl knows that without community support, none of what the food shelf does would be possible.

“I’d like to thank the community for all they have given us,” Ziehl said.