About Us
Westonka Food Shelf
Westonka Food Shelf is dedicated to meeting the needs of hungry people in our community. We provide food assistance to those who are struggling to make ends meet and we strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all who come through our doors. Our goal is to ensure that no in our community goes hungry, and we are committed to making a difference in the lives those we serve.
2023 Annual Impact Insights
We are in the midst of extremely challenging times, striving to meet unprecedented, and growing, need for food support. Although we anticipated the combined effects of the pandemic, inflationary pressures, and a reduction in SNAP benefits, would result in more families facing food insecurity, the actual numbers of patrons and visits have been staggering. In 2023, WFS distributed more than 1.33 million pounds of food, hygiene, and household goods, which represents an 85% increase from pre-pandemic distribution levels. We also served more than 10,600 patrons (4,105 families) during the year, an increase of 441% during this four-year period.
As a volunteer-based organization, WFS is enormously grateful to all 845 volunteers who generously donated time, selflessly serving others. While the cumulative value of this time approaches $1,000,000, it is truly priceless in fulfilling our mission. Our core volunteer team of 165 people, come in every week, to compassionately serve everyone who enters our doors. Whether they are gleaning food rescue, stocking our shelves, greeting our patrons, or cleaning our space, their selflessness is the heart and driving force of Westonka Food Shelf.
Our donors, church communities, local businesses/organizations, and retail food rescue partners have sustained us with their benevolence. Despite this explosive growth, every family entering WFS, was able to receive healthy food options to sustain their family. We recognize we are able to meet this moment only through the significant community support we receive.
The first weeks of 2024 have demonstrated the need is intensifying as more than 1,000 families have already come through our doors. We will need even greater support from our community this year to continue our efforts. Please give us a call to chat about how you can most meaningfully donate your time, talent and treasure to support WFS and the many families currently facing food insecurity.
Our Director
Michelle Bottenfield
Director
How We Do it!
1
Volunteers, Donors & Faith Partners
We are grateful to our volunteers,
donors, and church partners who
consistently share their generosity,
compassion and altruism to
ensure families in our area do not
have to endure the pain of hunger.
In 2023, the monetary value of our
volunteers donated time exceeded
$966,000! We received donations
totaling $381,136, that met more
than 80% of our expenses. Grants
of $104,887 offset the difference.
2
Our Food & Farm Rescue Partneres
Incredibly thankful to Lunds &
Byerlys, Jubilee, Aldi, Kowalski’s,
Cub, Trader Joe’s, Panera,
Target, Donation Garden, Milio’s,
Crumbl, Ames Farm, Gale
Woods Farm, Orono Market,
Grow Garden, Charlson
Meadows, and others who
generously donated 798,025
pounds of fresh produce, meats,
dairy, and bread.
3
Limiting Expenses
WFS accomplished widespread
impact in 2023 with total
expenditures of $466,643.
Expenses are limited by Our Lady
of the Lake Church’s generosity of
providing rent-free occupancy and
covering utility expenses. Very
limited paid staff (2), has also
limited expenses.
The enormous demand for our
services may necessitate future
changes in this operating structure.
Westonka Food Shelf Programs
​Client Choice
Shopping
Summer
Farmers
Markets
Emergency Food Huts in Our Community
Weekly Fresh Produce
Healthy Snacks Provided to Local Schools
Mini Food Shelf for Seniors at Gillespie Center
Our Board
Pastor Loren Davis
Rhonda Eurich
Jill Lawrence
Michelle Repp
Fr. Peter Richards
Kent Richey
Melissa Leddy
Jenny Hays
Barry Blievernicht
Andrew Myers
Ronald Hafner