Salvation Army donations soar after newspaper story

Published Thursday, February 21, 2008

As an immediate result of the article “Food Donations Support The Salvation Army” on Jan. 12, we at The Salvation Army kitchen have experienced such a gratifying increase in food donations that we are writing to thank our donors and the community at large.

Several individuals, who have requested anonymity, brought in $40 to $100 worth of fresh vegetables and fruit of the varieties necessary such as celery, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, bananas, apples, etc. These keep long enough in our cold storage to serve at several meals.

The Best Western Hotel sent over leftover gourmet veggies ready to serve. Several churches have donated unused food from occasions they have sponsored. And individuals donated unused prepared food from family occasions such as anniversaries, wedding celebrations, and benefits.

We would like to take this opportunity once again to thank these businesses which donate regularly.

• Falls Baking Company, whose wonderful artisan bread is a big hit with our clients,

• Big Chief Café whose meaty homemade soups are much appreciated,

• Premier Meats, whose homemade sausages, hams, etc., form the basis for our soups, stews and hot dishes. They also donate numerous food items such as cheese, milk, bread, pizzas, potatoes, etc.,

• Stop-N-Go, which donates hamburger and hot dog buns regularly,

• Roer's Bakery of Alexandria also donates a wide variety of breads, rolls and sweet rolls every 2 months which we freeze and use every day.

We serve between 12,000 and 16,000 meals a year, six days a week, to between 40 and 80 people a day. Some of these people are transients or homeless.

Many are your neighbors, the elderly, the disabled and the working poor. There is more “month” than money in their lives, and many cannot afford fresh produce.

Minnesota has a law protecting donors, whether businesses, churches, or individuals, from any liability for food donations to a nonprofit (us) serving the elderly or the needy. If this concern has kept anyone from donating food items, we have copies of Minnesota Statute 604A.10 at our office.

Thanks to our community, we are able to serve wholesome, balanced and inviting meals. We would be pleased if you came and sampled it any noontime.

Julie Borges - Salvation Army Cook