Letter: Many help food shelf

After serving on the Friends in Need Food Shelf board for six years, I feel obligated to thank the community for the tremendous outpouring of support. One example was the Holiday Train. Unbelievable! I doubt there is another community in Minnesota where the community is so responsive to the needs of others. In this time of uncertainty, it is not unusual to have people come for help who have been supporters in the past, and we are there to help. Not only do we provide food, we gave out backpacks with school supplies, Thanksgiving baskets and distributed “Share the Joy” Christmas gifts. Many of the businesses and churches have been very supportive, but I would like to especially thank Marathon, which provides the building, utilities and maintenance. They, along with Applebee’s, provided over half of the school backpacks last fall. With all the food and money in the world, it would be worthless unless we had people to distribute it and we are blessed with Michelle Rageth, director, who oversees the many volunteers who give of their time and energy to help those less fortunate. Thanks to all who have truly gone by, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” You have made a difference in many lives. The need is still there. Continue your support!

Lois Stolte

Cottage Grove

Tags: friends in need food shelf, opinion, appreciation