Waconia United Food Shelf
“I was very surprised when taking the position of one of the coordinators, that we had such a demand for a food shelf here in Waconia. It is not just people that are out of work or homeless, but the working poor.” ~ Kathy Bruckbauer, Food Shelf Coordinator
The Waconia United Food Shelf is sponsored by the Ministerial Council of Churches in Waconia. St. Joseph Parish is one of six churches that make up the Council. The food shelf is located on the St. Joseph Parish properties at 11 Elm Street South (the former bank building), and it serves School District 110, which is New Germany, Waconia, St. Bonifacius, Victoria and Cologne.
Right now, in its fourth year of operation, the food shelf is serving 138 households with a second visit during the month of 50 of those. The amount of food received varies each month – on the average about 2000 to 3000 pounds a month - but over 10,000 pounds of food is given out each month. To support this need, the food shelf uses cash donations to buy food from Second Harvest, which is a federally funded warehouse for food shelves. Over 60 volunteers either work at the food shelf or help unload trucks from Second Harvest or pick up food from Mackenthuns and other contributors.
How to donate
Parishioners can donate food by bringing it to church and placing it in the box in the Narthex, or by bringing food directly to the food shelf.
School families can also bring donations to the Education Center. Each month St. Joseph School donates anywhere from 400 to 500 pounds of food.
The community at large is where much of the food is donated from. Collection boxes are available in many of the business locations and at Safari Island Community Center.
The food shelf also depends on annual drives that parish and community members can participate in such as the "Stuff a Truck" at Mackenthun’s and the month of March which is Minnesota Food Share Month.
Smaller groups, such as Boy and Girl Scouts or other community groups can have their own drives as well and donate the food directly to the Food Shelf.
Cash donations can be sent to:
Waconia United Food Shelf,
11 Elm Street South,
P.O. Box 577,
Waconia, Minnesota 55387.
How to volunteer
Volunteers are always needed and welcomed! You can work one day a month or as many as you would like to. Most have found that once a month fits easily into their schedules. Some have been able to contribute two days a month to this very worthwhile cause. All are appreciated for their generosity!
To volunteer at the Waconia United Food Shelf leave a message on the phone at the food shelf at 442-3878.
