Hunger Solutions Minnesota

2008 Annual Report

Creating the will to end hunger.

555 Park Street St. Paul, MN 55103

651-486-9860
hungersolutions.org The Minnesota Food HelpLine 1-888-711-1151

Speaking up for hungry Minnesotans

Creating the will to end hunger. That is a tall order, but with your help, we are up to the task. As the statewide voice for hungry Minnesotans, Hunger Solutions Minnesota takes the lead at the State Capitol, on Capitol Hill and at the grass-roots level across Minnesota. Unfortunately the need for our work only continues to grow. Right now, 1 in 14 Minnesotans rely upon food shelves. The escalation in the need is steep. There has been an 89% increase in food shelf visits since 2000. The current poor economic conditions have a ripple effect. The high unemployment and foreclosures also indicate higher rates of food insecurity. According to a recent Star Tribune editorial, There is a clear link between housing and food expenditures for lower-income households. Families paying half or more of their income for housing spent $138 less each month on food, compared to those living in housing that was affordable for them. The solutions to alleviating hunger are many and they are at hand. Local responses like food shelves, food banks, and meal programs are the gateways to nourishment. But with your help we can open access and increase benefits and participation in programs such as school breakfast and lunch. These programs have a proven track record of effectiveness by alleviating hunger. Last year, we launched the Voice of Hunger Network to recruit, organize and put into action a statewide force of hunger fighters. This network works to advance the cause of hunger and drive more time and attention to getting people access to proper nutrition. Right now the network is 7,000 voices strongtaking action to rally lawmakers to make choices that support hunger relief efforts in Minnesota and beyond. With your assistance, Hunger Solutions Minnesota is making sure leaders and every-day people alike are aware that hunger exists and we can do something about it. We applaud you for joining the chorus of voices of hunger in Minnesota.
David and Myra Panula Cathy Patterson Kaye Pearson Jon Pendleton Joanna Perry Roberta Petersen Patricia Peterson Eric Piche Sarai Pin Rochelle Polanksy Yashkumarie Premsukh Linda Prigge Oranuch Pruetipibultham Rebecca Pryse Thomas and Barbara Quigley Mary Pat Raimondi John Rajkowski Eugene Ranieri Denise Rauk Susann Raycroft Jeffrey and Theresa Rayl James Redmond Steven Regnier Mathew Reineke Frank and Kathleen Renner Ross Rifkin Benjamin Rime Danny and Claudia Risnes Vicky Ann Rizzolo John and Sandra Roe Krista Romportl Erik Ronken Kurt and Mary Jo Roth Jim and Jeannine Roufs Robyn Rowen Susan Roznowski Kathy Saltzman Cory Salveson Carolyn Sanford Keith and Linda Saralampi James Sarazin Gary Sather Wanda Schafer Mark and Rosario Schindele Alyssa Schlander Lois Schmidt Beth Schmit Donna Schneider Andrew Schultz Marie Schwartz Betty Schwarz Chris and Anja Shepela Patricia Sheveland Tom Shield Barbara Shiels Stefanie Shufelt Nancy Silesky Theodore Sitz Dan Skogen Jill Sletten Michael Smeby Jason Snider Gary Sperle Mary and Max Steininger John and Sharon Stenglein Arthur and Sue Stickley Patricia and Gerald Stone Susan Stout Wade Swanson Richard Swanstrom Candice Sweeney Michael Swenson Diane Syme Terry Tangedahl Barry Tilley Brenda Trebesch David and Laurie Trende Janet Triplett Nancy Trombley Beverly Turner Robert and Jacqueline Ulwelling Tom and Karen Umphress Robert and Jacquelyn Vance Gail Vanderwaal Jason Voiovich Susan Von Mosch Carol Walsh Ronald and Patricia Wasmund Joan Weber Rae Lee Webster Dean Weigel Richard Weixel Paul Werler Kenneth Wetzel Cynthia White R.B. and M.C. Wideman Michael Wilke David Wilkie John Wilking Mary Will Pierre Willette Jennifer Wirick Breitinger Kelly Wolfe John Wollum Russell and Lois Wollum Ralph Yehle Tom Young Sarah Youngerman Richard Zellmer

HSM FINANCIAL POSITION

2008 Hunger Snapshot

2,263,890 visits to Minnesotas 300+ food shelves.

For the first time since 2000, more than 300,000 Minnesotans relied on food stamps.

HSM Board of Directors

Nancy AndersonFalls Hunger Coalition Sandra Burke, Winona Volunteer Services Sue EsteeSecond Harvest North Central Food Bank Jamie FitzpatrickState of Minnesota David HashmallFelhaber Larson Fenlon & Vogt Dave JohnsonSalvation Army Meg KearnsChurches United in Ministry Food Shelf Jim KoppelChildren's Defense Fund-MN Mary Pat RaimondiThe Milestone Group Lois SchmidtBremer Bank Michael SmebyUniversity National Bank Stormy TromSteele County Food Shelf Dean WeigelLoaves and Fishes Stephen Wreh-WilsonAfrican Development Center Minnesota

HSM Staff
Katherine ClarksonFood Support Enrollment Specialist Jessica Francis Associate Director Jill Hiebert Communications Manager Aby John Business Manager Colleen Moriarty Executive Director Cathy Patterson Member Services Manager James Redmond Grant Distribution and Statistics Manager John Wollum Procurement/Distribution Manager
Hunger Solutions Minnesota is a comprehensive hunger relief organization that works to end hunger in Minnesota. We take action to assure food security for all Minnesotans by supporting agencies that provide food to those in need, advancing sound public policy, and guiding grassroots advocacy. HSM advocates for the maximum use of all federal public nutrition dollars available and works to improve low income Minnesotans' access to all nutrition programs.

Thank you for supporting our work to end hunger!

Individual Donors ($1,000 and above)
Anonymous David and Deb Andreas James Basara Zoe and Alex Galaitsis Michael Hanson Philip Hanson Jonni Irmiter Gregory and Kathleen Johnson Jack and Anne Marie Kennefick Lavern Leisen Gary Lemke Ryan O'Neill Lawrence Redmond Dennis Skelton Terri Tersteeg and James Peterson John S. Van Essen Daniel Busby Carl Buske Yvonne Capeling Patrick Capouch Joel Carlson Douglas Carnival and Megan Murphy Alvin Carrier Paul Cassidy Bob and Susan Chang Andrew Chelseth Laura Christie Jon Clark Carol Coffey Maggi Coleman Vincent Coleman Rosemary Collins Mary Jo Corson Carl Crimmins Mozell Curry Christine Dartt William and Susan Davern Krista Debelak Nicholas and Robin Debronsky Joseph Deeb, Jr. Connie DeGidio Steven DeLapp Carol Diemert David Dietz Valerie Dosland William Dow K.A. Dunder Reid Durant Elizabeth Emerson Tara Erickson Pamela Eslinger Susan Estee Debby Evans Adam Faitek Edward and Judith Farmer Barbara Felt Robert and Corrine Ferris Francis Feyereisen Amy Fink Sue Fisker James Fitzpatrick Jamie Fitzpatrick Michael Foslien Jessica and Bernard Francis Craig Francois Miles and Jean Fredenburg Lisa Frenette Scott Fultz Dan and Heidi Galbraith Renee Geis Alvira Gerlach Thor Giberson William Gillespie Richard Goebel Scott Gorton Douglas and Kristen Griep H. Theodore Grindal Kristen Gritters Nancy Grothe Thomas and Joan Guettler Guilt Ridden Pop Gloria Gunville Gerald Gustafson Albert and Cheryl Gutierrez Judith Haaversen Thomas Hafner Kathryn Hahne Tully Hall Sara Hammond Eric Hanson Jennifer Harris Jennifer and Rebecca Harris Allyson Hartle Jessica Harwood David Hashmall John Hau John and Rita Hayes Mary Jane Hedstrom Loren Heffern Amanda Heinsohn Mikal Helland Anne Herreid Thomas Hesse George and Barbara Hiebert Jill Hiebert John Hiebert John and Hanna Hill Gary Hill Kathleen Hines Timothy Hoffman Thomas and Barbara Holmberg Kyle Honek Thomas Hopsicker Jonathan Horne Mary Horvath Peter Huberg and Sandra Lien-Huberg Robert Humphrey John Hustad Tom Hymanson Steve and Carol Ingalls Robert and Lubomira Ireland Jeffrey and Susan Isenberg Kathryn Jacobson Pam Jeschonek Aby and Suma John Mark and Jennifer Johnson Carla Johnson Greg and Nancy Johnson David Johnson Wesley Kafka Bob Kane Michael and Theresa Karels John Kavanagh Meg Kearns Holly Kellar Nico Kieves Cheryl Klemann Daniel Koch Jim Koppel Kurtis Korman Ed Kramer Peter and Lori Kramer James and Pamela Kranz Jennifer Kreger Keith Krueger Ronald Kurtz Anthony Kwilas Annette Lancaster Daniel Larkins Barbara Larsen Sheryl Larue Alfred L. LaTendresse Loren Laugtug Robert Leighton, Jr. Karen Leutner Terrence Liska Helen Liss Nancy Lo Dale Lomas Elaine Love Ann Lynch Scott Magnuson Marilyn Martin William and Carole Martino Meghan McGivern Charles and Mary Kay McJilton Bert McKasy Ruth Ann McKibben Wollum Michael and Dawn McLaughlin Dan and Sharon McLaughlin Brian McNamara Craig Meier Susan Melrose Janet Mendez Laurel Meyer Kathleen Micheletti Thomas Micheletti Todd Miller Nancy Mischel Justine Mishek Scott Moen Randall Molin Louis Moriarty Colleen Moriarty Joseph and Ellen Muehlegger Jeffrey Murphy Jeffrey Nelson Larissa and Jeanie Nelson Lin Nelson Sandra Neren Gretchen Newberry Michelle Nguyen Patrick and Sherri Nichols Glenn Norstrem Richard and Bambi Olseen Barry Olson Jerry Olson David Osborn Barbara Ouellette

2008 Highlights
Rally in the Park
Former U.S. Senator George McGovern launched the Voice of Hunger Network last July at a Hunger Solutions Minnesota rally in St. Paul. The Voice of Hunger is a statewide effort to advance the cause of hunger and drive more time and attention to getting people access to proper nutrition. Former Senator, Presidential Nominee, and World War II Bomber Pilot, George McGovern, discussed the ongoing problem of hunger. Defining it as a political condition, McGovern said that it is a greater moral imperative than ever before because for the first time, humanity has the tools and the knowledge to defeat this ancient enemy. The executive director of Washington Countys largest food shelf has received the first-ever Voice of Hunger award for her leadership in bringing public attention to hunger in Minnesota. The rally also featured a New Member Event - The HSM Resource Fair. Over 150 member participants received information from 25 guest vendors, two separate revolving mini-session guest speakers and the inspiring, Senator George McGovern. Attendees and vendors alike pronounced the event a great success!

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

Hunger Solutions Minnesota is the grantee and administrator for the State of Minnesotas USDA TEFAP product. TEFAP was initiated in 1981 to aid the hungry, farmers, and the federal government through the distribution of commodities. Minnesota received 6.30 million pounds (157 truckloads) of food in 2008. HSM distributed 36 different food items throughout the state. Last year HSM took a poll of the food shelves, and overwhelmingly they supported receiving more protein items, particularly ground beef. We will be receiving 275 truckloads of high quality food including ground beef, milk and vegetables in 2009.

Individual Donors (under $1,000)

Anonymous (6) Jim Alan Julie Albrecht Eric Alland Carolyn and Phillip Allmon William Amberg Chase Anderson Jerene and Lyle Anderson Nancy Anderson Arnie Anderson Michael Askins Judy Backhaus Amber Backhaus Joseph Bagnoli Christopher Bailey Thomas and Laura Bakk Charles Baxter Mark and Cynthia Beaty Ginny Becker Benjamin Behler Timothy and Lori Behrend Brian and Jennifer Bellmont Daniel Bennett Susan Benolken Christopher Bentrott Mark Bergen Kathleen Blair Patrice Blechta Carol Bodin Carl and Molly Boland Gene and Jane Borochoff Ellen Bracken Julia Braegelmann Emily Bremner Forbes Richard and Margaret Brody Darin Broton Jonathon Brueske Carl and Ruth Buechler

Building Stronger Advocates.

In partnership with Legal Advocacy Services Project, HSM presented a new Voice of Hunger advocate training event last Fall. The first annual hunger-focused training summit was produced for people I have been looking working or volunteering to end poverty for some direction and and hunger in Minnesota. order in the chaos. The 2-day training strengthened statebureaucracies and having advocates wide efforts to improve access to proper nutrition for those in poverty and included directly helping people discussions and workshops on food stamp in need are mandatory. The summit was policy and outreach, child nutrition, eduwonderful! cating legislators, media strategies, and more. Our increasing poverty rate and weak economy puts pressure on programs that assist the poor daily. Without the dedicated staff and volunteers in our state, we would be unable to reach out to the thousands of Minnesota families and seniors who depend on food shelves and other programs to make it through the month. The summit was generously supported in part by MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, the Otto Bremer Foundation and the Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin County. Look for a return of this event in January 2010.
Breaking down the

An old favorite returns

A family tradition for many Minnesotans returned last Thanksgiving. The Greater Twin Cities United Way presented the Walk to End Hunger at the Mall of America on behalf of local hungerrelief agencies. 1,900 walkers and over 300 volunteers raised $110,000 for hunger relief. Please plan on giving back before giving thanks with your friends and family this Thanksgiving morning. Visit www.walktoendhunger.org to learn more about this great event.

A LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE TO HUNGER

Since the state began funding food shelves in 1991, there had been no increase in appropriations. Because increased food costs affect family budgets as well as the budgets of the organizations that fill the food gap. During the 2008 legislative session, State Representative John Benson of District 43B, successfully passed a bill that granted the first-ever increase in state funding for Minnesota food shelves. The additional state distribution came at a much-needed time. Many food shelves were cutting back on the service hours and quantity of food. Additional grants If the state has any became available to support local agencies so they could adequately respond to the responsibility, the need for emergency food. fundamental This amazing success in a deficit environment is due to the leadership and voices of many people and organizations. Hunger Solutions Minnesota thanks Representative John Benson of Minnetonka for creating the political will to move towards ending hunger in Minnesota. It takes courage to stand up and fight for those who do not have a voice.
responsibility is seeing children are not hungry in the state of Minnesota. -Rep. John Benson

We are grateful to this community of hunger fighters.

Community and Corporate Foundations
Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation Elmer L. & Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation GMAC-RFC Hugh J. Andersen Foundation MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Minneapolis Foundation Otto Bremer Foundation Ross and Bridget Levin Charitable Gift Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation Sampson Family Charitable Foundation Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Target The Michelson Foundation

Business and Corporate Supporters (under $1,000)

MN Building Permit Tech Association Allina Medical Clinic Associated General Contractors of Minnesota Association of Motor Freight Managers Bemistape Best & Flannagan LLP Beth Jacob Congregation Bituminous Roadways, Inc Cedar Ridge Landscaping Inc. Cook Hill Girard Associates Cousineau, McGuire & Anderson Flaherty & Hood, P.A. Gendarme Capital Corporation Glencoe Area United Fund Global Impact Goff & Howard Inc. Interactive Retirement Systems Lion's Tap, Inc. Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P Messerli and Kramer, P.A. Metro Technical Services, LLC Minnesota Technology, Inc. Minnesota Treasury Management Association Our Savior's Lutheran Church Saxhaug for State Senate Committee Steiner & Curtiss, P.A. W.G. Strusinski Inc.

Special Events and Campaigns to Support Hunger Solutions

Hunt Electric Dancing Cat Productions Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Minnesota CRS Minnesota Association of Professional Employees Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota Bemis Company Studebaker Drivers Club Taste of the NFL/The Vikings Children's Fund

Best in Show
Launched in 2007, the Blue Ribbon Food Shelf Initiative continues to guide our member food shelves to a higher level of service. Even in this era of high demand and reduced resources, these food shelves subscribe to best practices that provide dignified service to families in need.

This is a great achievement for our organization because it points out that donations are being used effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of the communities we serve. -Char Lake, CROSS coordinator

Alden Area Food Shelf Alden Annandale Community Food Shelf Annandale Bemidji Community Food Shelf Bemidji Big Lake Community Food Shelf Big Lake Cannon Falls Food Shelf Cannon Falls Catholic Charities-Emergency Services St. Cloud CEAP Blaine CEAP Brooklyn Park CHUM Food Shelf Duluth C.R.O.S.S. Rogers Dorothy Day Food Pantry Moorhead Falls Hunger Coalition International Falls Friends In Need Cottage Grove Fruit of the Vine Duluth Grand Rapids Food Shelf Grand Rapids Hawley Food Pantry Hawley Hibbing Food Shelf Hibbing Keystone Community Services St. Paul Lake City Food Shelf Lake City Manna Food Pantry Inc. Worthington McLeod Emergency Food Shelf Glencoe McLeod Emergency Food Shelf Hutchinson

Milaca Area Pantry Milaca NACE Food Shelf East Bethel Neighborhood House St. Paul Neighbors, Inc. South St. Paul Peace Center, Inc. New Prague Pillager Food Shelf Pillager PRISM Golden Valley Renville County Food Shelf Olivia Rush City Food Shelf Rush City Sibley County Foodshare, Inc. Gaylord The Salvation Army-Central NEED Corps Minneapolis The Salvation Army-Eastside St. Paul The Salvation Army-Parkview Minneapolis The Salvation Army-St. Paul Citadel St. Paul The Salvation Army-Temple Minneapolis Union Gospel Mission Duluth Duluth VEAP Bloomington Winona Volunteer Services Winona Worthington Christian Church Food Shelf Worthington YWCA Cass Clay Fargo, ND Zumbrota Area Emergency Food Shelf Zumbrota

Business and Corporate Supporters ($1,000 and above)

AT&T Bemis Company Foundation CH Robinson Minnesota Power Hunt Electric SFM Mutual Insurance Company UMI Company, Inc. Woodbury Financial Services

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Colleen Moriarty and Jessica Francis presented Michael Hanson of Hunt Electric with a partner recognition plaque.