CHUM Emergency Food Shelf

History

The Emergency Food Shelf was organized in 1979 by the Duluth Food and Nutrition Council as a means to distribute food to families affected by the serious economic recession of the late 1970s. The Shelf became the responsibility of CHUM in 1981 and expanded to a second site in West Duluth in 1982.

The Food Shelf operates with the philosophy that people in need of food should have access to this most fundamental of human needs.  We strive to respond to the need for food in a manner that is compassionate and promotes respect for the individual, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, disability, or lifestyle.

The food shelf provides a five-day food order for people without food or the resources to buy food and advocacy services connecting people to community resources (e.g. shelter, medical care, children’s services, employment, clothing, and emergency monies). Staff, along with approximately 100 volunteers, distribute 230,000 pounds of food annually. An average of 460 households receive emergency food each month; roughly 35% of those fed are children. People using the food shelves have access to an advocate who provides information and referral service and short-term counseling.

Advocacy

CHUM is a member of Hunger Solutions Minnesota, a statewide organization dedicated to ending hunger.  For information on how you can help advocate for Minnesotans with food insecurities visit Hunger Solutions Newsroom.

Foods Most Needed

canned meals (stews, chili, hash, spaghettios) * canned peaches, pineapple, pears, whole kernel corn, peas vegetable, chicken noodle or cream soup * canned chicken, tuna or Spam ramen noodles * Frozen juice or juice concentrate in flip top cans * flour & sugar * cereal

Duluth Emergency Food Shelf News Letter
This newsletter is published twice a year. This link brings you to a PDF of the most recent newsletter.

Annual Food/Fund Drives

The Food Shelf is funded by community contributions and grants. Three major fund/food drives are held each year in partnership with other area food distribution agencies.

October SHARE Community Food Drive is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors held the 4th Saturday of October. Churches, youth groups, Girl & Boy Scouts, students, families, and community organizations participate in this community-wide effort to stock local food shelves.

Minnesota FoodShare’s March Campaign is extremely important because it provides the opportunity to receive matching dollars for all donations of food and cash. The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign provides a proportional match for all food and financial contributions received throughout the month of March.The Feinstein Foundation provides a proportional match for all gifts given in March and April.

The May National Association of Letter Carriers Drive takes place the second Saturday of May and is the largest food drive in the United States. It offers an opportunity to increase food shelf inventories for the summer when donations traditionally decrease.

Locations

East Food Shelf serves people from all over the city while the West Food Shelf primarily serves people in neighborhoods west of 40th Avenue West in space that is generously donated by Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Hours

A of JUNE 1, 2010 the East Food Shelf  will change as listed below.  If you cannot access the food shelf during regular open hours, please call 727-2391 to make an appointment .