Over 500 friends, neighbors, supporters, and music lovers gathered on a beautiful summer evening for the second annual Heartbeat for Hunger, benefiting the White Bear Area Food Shelf. Set against the stunning backdrop of White Bear Lake, attendees enjoyed perfect weather, great company, and unforgettable performances from NUNNABOVE and Frankie Torres. Throughout the evening, friends of all ages…
The community is invited to lace up their running shoes for a one-of-a-kind fundraiser as Gloria’s 14th Annual Food Shelf Shortest Marathon returns to White Bear Lake. This lighthearted and family-friendly event, created by Gloria Carpenter, features a “marathon” that spans just one block, bringing people together for fun, food,…
The White Bear Area Food Shelf is deeply saddened by the passing of Mary Bosscher, one of the founders whose vision, leadership, and compassion helped create what would become a vital community resource for generations of neighbors. As the story goes, Mary had just begun serving as the social ministry…
At the White Bear Area Food Shelf, addressing hunger is about more than providing groceries—it’s about recognizing the complex challenges neighbors face every day. Food insecurity is rarely experienced as a single concern. It is often tied to housing instability, health concerns, employment changes, and unexpected financial setbacks. In fact, a recent survey from The Food Group found…
Heartbeat For Hunger Get ready for an unforgettable summer evening on the shores of White Bear Lake! The White Bear Area Food Shelf is excited to bring the music back to White Bear Lake County Park for the annual Heartbeat for Hunger concert on Saturday, August 1, from 6 to…
Last year, the White Bear Area Food Shelf served 78,298 visits. Keeping our shelves stocked to meet that level of need is a complex, year-round effort—and the sheer volume of food required can be hard to wrap your head around. Food for the food shelf comes through four main channels:…
Living on a fixed income often means making tough choices—especially when it comes to food. In White Bear Lake, 51% of households receiving SNAP benefits include a senior citizen, a figure significantly higher than surrounding zip codes. For many older adults, mobility and transportation challenges add another layer of difficulty accessing nutritious…
In a year of continuing rising levels of food insecurity in our community, we stayed focused on what matters most: creating welcoming, uncomplicated ways for people to access food. We are committed to providing a stable and supportive environment for everyone in need. Recent research from Second Harvest Heartland found…
“The students and the coordinators that have participated in the program bring such a fun and eager energy into the food shelf! Their ability to collectively problem-solve how to organize donated food items within our warehouse storage system is impressive and remarkable to be a witness to.” Maddie Wilson, Mobile Market Coordinator
In FY 2025, food rescue totaled 555,292 pounds of food, making up 30% of all food available to neighbors at the White Bear Area Food Shelf.
