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ADOPT A DRAIN: Challenge nears end, prize is clean waterways PAGE 9A
r u o y t e Me s e t a d i cand Your vote is your voice! Press Publications brings its readers a comprehensive Voters’ Guide before each major election. This free community service is provided to readers and candidates, so readers can learn more about each person running for local offices before casting their vote. SEE VOTERS’ GUIDE, PAGES 13A-19A
Food shelves likely to see demand increase further this fall, winter BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Many food shelves in the North Metro are seeing the number of visitors continue to increase and are struggling to keep up with demand. That’s a trend that likely isn’t going to go away anytime soon. “What we have been experiencing has been a return of food insecurity to the levels of when the pandemic began,” said Perry Petersen, executive director of the White Bear Area Food Shelf (WBAFS). “Some of the larger agencies that we work with, Hunger Solutions, Second Harvest, the Food Group, have indicated that it’s going to get worse heading into the fall and this winter. Petersen said WBAFS has seen the need and prices go up, while financial support for the food shelf has gone down. From 2019 to 2020, the food shelf doubled its number of visitors. In 2021, thanks to the increase of federal, state and local programs that kicked in to offer support to those in need, the food shelf saw a temporary dip in its numbers.
“We are up 36% in visitors from 2021. We are seeing similar to what we saw in 2020,” Petersen said. WBAFS has also seen a dip in financial donations. “We are about 20% below our budgeted income in donations,” Petersen said. Due to the increased demand, the WBAFS has had to shift to a curbside program, so clients are not permitted within the building to shop. “In July, we saw 95 visits per day to the curbside programming … There is a line into our parking lot to be able to receive services.” For that reason, the food shelf is looking into adding a second location. “That would be a game-changer for us,” Petersen said. In an effort to reach more clients, WBAFS has also expanded its delivery program. It partners with Door Dash to bring food, free of charge, to people who are unable to get to the nonprofit’s building. During the pandemic, the two main issues were dealing with COVID-19 and all of the protocols that go along with that, as well as staffing. “Now it is really about (whether) we can get the food, if
Public safety building expansion moves forward
we can afford the food, and if we have the funds and facility to do it,” Petersen explained. It has become increasingly more difficult to source food. Although the local grocery stores have been generous to the food shelf, Petersen says food available through food banks like Second Harvest and the Food Group is not as abundant as it used to be. The Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf (HGNFS) has also seen an increase in the number of families visiting the food shelf. “Our client volume is well over double what it was at this time last year,” said Chris DuFresne, president of the HGNFS. “We continue to see more clients who are employed and need help making ends meet with food due to the increased cost of food, gas, child care and home energy.” Due to supply chain issues, DuFresne explained it has been hard to source some food items, similar to what grocery stores are facing. The food shelf has also had to purchase more food because it isn’t getting as much food through food rescue programs
WHITE BEAR LAKE — Three years after setting the goal, a public safety renovation project is going out for bids. It’s good news for cops who currently park squad cars outside and for firefighters who will have large bays for fire trucks and a decontamination room, among other amenities. Plans and specifications for the estimated $14.4 million facility were approved by City Council Sept. 13, which then ordered advertisement for bids. Deadline for bidding is Oct. 11. Council will consider the bids at its Oct. 25 meeting. The city plans to issue bonds to finance the renovation. The original public safety building was constructed in 1961 and renovated in ’95. Construction is slated to start March 2023 with completion June 2024. Miller Avenue, behind the building, has already been permanently closed as part of the project. Debra Neutkens
SEE FOOD INSECURITY, PAGE 8A
CONTRIBUTED
A rendering of the new White Bear Lake public safety facility.
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