Nurturing Community – Yellow Lake Food Distribution
Yellow Lake Food Distribution Addressing Food Insecurity
Yellow Lake Food Distribution began in 2011 when eight churches got together to address food insecurity in the area. In its first year, they helped 300 families in three locations every quarter. Since then, food distribution has grown to assisting over 600 families (1600 people) each month.
By offering this monthly food distribution, Yellow Lake hopes to help individuals and families that are experiencing hard times, either from a personal hardship, a disability or simply finding that their funds do not stretch as far as they need. Yellow Lake also helps seniors with limited resources. The goal is to have no person go to bed without having eaten that day. All funding comes from churches, organizations or personal donations. All funds are used to purchase food. There is no paid staff.
Food distribution takes place on the 3rd Thursday of each month and is held at Caring Hearts Thrift shop at 26356 Lakeland Ave S. in Webster.
Because it’s hard to get enough donated food, all food is being purchased monthly from St. Croix Valley Food Bank in Hudson WI. and delivered by one of their trucks. Yellow Lake Food Distribution receives between 23,000 and 28,000 pounds of food per month. The Wednesday before distribution volunteers are on hand to unload and organize food items and to help to pack food boxes. Individuals and families will receive a variety of items (depending on what is available) such as cereal, canned vegetables and fruits, boxed meals, rice, beverages, cookies, chips, produce and more. Some months dairy and meat are available.
Last year, Yellow Lake served 20,214 individuals in 7253 families.
This undertaking could not be done without the volunteers that come each month to help with set up or distribution. Volunteers are an integral part of making this distribution happen. Besides the ongoing need for volunteers, Yellow Lake’s struggles to obtain enough food to fill the need. Monthly costs for food have jumped 400% since Covid. All donations of food or money are welcome.
If you are interested in volunteering, simply show up at Caring Hearts Thriftshop in Webster the third Wednesday or Thursday of the month. They will put you to work.