Council approves $800 to help launch Blackduck Area Food Shelf; volunteers report 65–80 families served monthly

Organizers of the Blackduck Area Food Shelf asked the City Council for support and described startup operations, volunteer coverage and immediate needs; the council approved an $800 donation to help the effort.

Steve Adler (organizer) and his wife Pat said the food shelf is operating under the church umbrella of the Blackduck Free Church’s 501(c)(3) while the group works toward a standalone nonprofit and larger facilities. They described a small 13-by-13 room at the church, an upright freezer they purchased, a donated refrigerator and six shelving units; the program currently operates about once a month and had one month with about 80 families served and a typical range of 65–80 families.

Organizers estimated monthly grocery costs of roughly $1,000–$1,500 depending on donated items and food-bank discounts; volunteers plan to buy groceries through the East Grand Forks Food Bank at reduced prices and to accept both monetary and food donations. They said they are reaching out to local grocery stores, schools and churches for volunteer help and donated items.

Council members expressed support, suggested networking and grant avenues, and moved to approve an $800 contribution from the council’s donations budget to help the food shelf’s initial operations. The motion carried; the transcript records the motion and a vote but does not include a detailed roll-call tally.

Organizers asked residents and organizations to donate funds or food and said they will accept cash or checks at council meetings and by mail to the address they provided. City staff offered to help connect organizers with potential grant opportunities and local partners.