The Shelf by Syd Halverson 1-17-2-18

The end of 2017 and the beginning of a frigid 2018.

The Fulda Food Shelf would like to thank the communities of Fulda, Dundee and Avoca for their continuous support throughout the past year as well as previous years.

We have several organizations and individuals that support us as well and I am going to try to list them.  Hopefully I don’t miss anyone.  First of all the Fulda School; elementary, high school and FFA have been wonderful with their collection of nearly 3000 pounds. All I can say is WOW!  Then all the area churches and their ladies groups, First Presbyterian Youth group with their Thanksgiving baskets, The churches collections during the Thanksgiving service, Iron Horse Motor Cycle Club, Fulda Lions Club, Murray County Commissioners, Murray County Boy Scouts, Fulda Community Choir, Fulda C & C, Murray County Masonic Lodge, Bondin Belfast 4-H group, Ag Star, Complex Financial, Maynards, Sanford Medical Center with sports physical fees, Fulda Community Choir, and SW Health and Human Services.   Then all the fresh produce during the summer from Mary Saxhaug, Ken Salentiny, and Doug Stewart who supplies our eggs.  Like I said, I certainly hope I didn’t forget someone…let me know, nicely.

And then there are individuals who contribute and help keep our Food Shelf open. Chad Larson, Mari Saxhaug, Mrs. Gehl, Wenzel Family, Larson Family, Dierks Family, Gary Busch, John Elskamp, Smokey Brandt, McNeal Family, The Presbyterian Church with their pay it forward and lastly the miscellaneous items dropped off at St. Gabriel’s School and magically appear when we come to open up for the day.

Now to some other important people that work for us all year round.  Of course, our board of directors which consist of Marge Winter, LeAnn Enninga, Diane Kirchner, Darcy Uttech, Linda Clauson, Alvin Thompson and Donna Chapman.   Then our regular volunteers….Randy Kremer, Linda Clauson, Gwen Hartlep, Diane Kirchner, Jim and Rona Brown, Mary Fuller and Alvin Thompson.  We have several people who come in to help us unload the SHH food truck…they include:  Loren and Ruth Carlson, Ken Salentiny, Ron, Trent and Diane Kirchner, Kaitlyn, Haille, Jerimy, Tara, Brandon, Jasmine and Thaddeus Bray, Ken Clarke and son.  I certainly hope I did not forget anyone.

Now for a few statics hopefully you will find interesting. Remember this is a duplicated count.  In 2017 we served 271 families, which averages 23 families per month, compared to 198 families in 2016.  They we served 1064 duplicated individuals in 2017 and 847 in 2016.  Lastly pounds given out in 2017 is 11,495.  Compare this to 9,361 in 2016.  We also had 15 new individuals register this past year but 19 in 2016. As you can see by our 2017 count, the need is great even in our small area communities.

So lastly we at the Fulda FS would like to express our wholehearted thank you to all who supported us in anyway.  And if you are in need, please feel free to call me at 425-2211, leave a message if I’m not there.  We are also in need of volunteers especially during the day hours.  Either regular or as a sub, when our regular volunteer can’t make it for various reasons.

A quick reminder  that all monetary contributions during January, Feb. and early March can be sent to the Murray County Masonic Lodge so it can be doubled.  Send to Steve Haugen, CPS, 2330 26th St. Slayton, MN 56171.