Bill would give one‑time $1 million to Minnesota Food Share March campaign

Representative Mahamud presented House File 1926 seeking a one‑time $1 million appropriation to the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC) to support the Minnesota Food Share March campaign, which GMCC runs to raise and match funds for roughly 285 food shelves across Minnesota. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.

"HF 19 26 provides a one‑time appropriation of a million dollars to help GMCC continue its essential work supporting 285 food shelves across Minnesota," Rep. Mahamud said. Adrienne Dorn, president and executive director of GMCC, told the committee that the March campaign helps food shelves at a seasonal point of need after holiday donations arrive and that GMCC historically distributes 100% of funds raised to participating food shelves based on a proportional matching formula.

Dorn said survey data show 91% of participating food shelves consider March campaign funds vital to operations. Christopher Anderson, executive director of Western Communities Action Network (WE CAN), said the campaign accounted for roughly one‑third of his organization’s donated food in recent years and said rising food costs have made the funds more important to local food shelf operations.

The sponsor argued a state investment now would provide immediate relief and help reengage lapsed private donors. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus process. No formal roll‑call vote tally was recorded in the transcript.

GMCC cited communities served including Rogers, Waverly, Two Harbors, Mora, Cannon Falls, Fairmont, Bloomington, St. Paul and Minneapolis. Testimony stressed the campaign’s long history (more than 40 years) and its role as a lever to attract private and business support for local food shelves.

The measure was laid over and will be considered further in the omnibus budget process.