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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

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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

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​Client Choice

Shopping

Summer

Farmers

Markets

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Emergency Food Huts in Our Community

Weekly Fresh Produce

Healthy Snacks Provided to Local Schools

Mini Food Shelf for Seniors at Gillespie Center

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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

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