Springfield Area Food Shelf serves many

Springfield Area Food Shelf had a successful third year, distributing 71,911 pounds of food and fresh produce, an average of 36.2 pounds of food per individual served.  The Board of Directors of the Springfield Area Food Shelf met at its regular meeting January 25 to review the past 12 months.  The   Food Shelf serves the communities of Springfield, Sanborn, Comfrey, Clements, and Cobden.   During 2015, 136 families from these communities were served by the Food Shelf.  There were 87 families from Springfield, 25 from Sanborn, 14 from Comfrey, 7 from Clements and 3 from Cobden.  Generous organizations and individuals contributed more than 10,000 pounds of food and fresh produce during the year.  Additional items are purchased from Second Harvest Heartland with monetary donations received from grants, individuals, churches and organizations.

The Food Shelf would not function without dedicated volunteers.  More than 6,000 hours of service were donated by 51 volunteers during the past year.  Volunteers unload trucks, organize the food shelves, assist clients, order food stock, and provide organizational assistance through the Board of Directors.  There are no paid positions that support the Food Shelf.

An additional program provided by the Food Shelf is the Nutritional Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) for those in need who are over the age of 60.  NAPS boxes are distributed once a month and include non-perishables as well as cheese.  Beginning in April, NAPS boxes will be available the third Tuesday of each month.  Pre-registration is needed to participate in this program.

Some changes to service hours are coming in April.  Beginning in April, deliveries to the Food Shelf from Second Harvest Heartland will be on Tuesdays.  Thus in order to deliver the freshest food to clients, distribution hours will change from Thursday evenings to Tuesday evenings.  New hours beginning in April will be Mondays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and Tuesdays 5 to 7 p.m.  

The Springfield Area Food Shelf is located at 804 E. Rock St., phone 507-723-4120.