by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Organizer Amanda Roles said the second “Fare for All Express” food program held April 14 at the Resurrection Lutheran Church was even bigger than the first.
“We ran out of everything this time, besides the a la carte items,” Roles said. “We ended up turning people away after we gave out 350 numbers. We gave out gift certificates that can be redeemed at the next Fare for All.”
Roles said volunteers sold 498 packs of food and 283 packs of ala carte chicken and served about 366 households. That is more than 100 packs more than what they distributed at the first Fare for All distribution.
Organizers are planning for two trucks to deliver food at next month’s distribution.
“This will mean that we will have over 800 packs of food to sell,” Roles said. “Let’s hope we don’t run out.”
The Fare for All program is for everyone who wants to save up to 40 percent off of grocery-store prices. The program buys vegetables, fruits and frozen meat in bulk through wholesalers. Foods are grown locally or sent from all over the country, depending on the season.
Fare for All aims to help make affordable, healthy foods available to all. The program is meant to supplement people’s grocery purchases and provides produce and meat items that many might not be able to afford otherwise.
When it first launched in 2007, it served about 5,000 households in nine Twin Cities locations. By 2013, it had grown to 24 locations and sold food packages to more than 37,000 households. The program is open to everyone and does not require any registration.
Other distribution dates include May 12, June 9, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 15, Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.
To help volunteer or for more information, contact Mary Plafcan at 320-249-5718.
Many people volunteered at the second “Fare for All” event held at the Resurrection Lutheran Church on April 14. Shown are some of the volunteers.