Normally, at this time of year, neighbors are busy canning vegetables, sealing windows and breaking the bank for school clothes.
Does virtual school cut the clothing demand in half since we only need to find tops? As the old song goes, "The Times They Are A-Changin'."
It is a different world for our children as it was for our parents when raising us. Special unique hurdles courtesy of COVID-19 precautions.
The Pine River Area Food Shelf's only annual event, Soups & Sweets, has officially been canceled for this October. We can’t ask our special guests to be exposed to a close environment. And we can’t tax our businesses and supporters for donations when they have already struggled enough.
We really appreciate the support we have received in past years in the form of cash donations, services donated, unique gifts, baskets and fine craftsmanship. You have made a difference to our food shelf.
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A special thanks goes to soup providers Bites Grill & Bar, A-Pine Family Restaurant, JR's No. 19, The Corner Store and Cozy Cottage Cafe. You are the reason the guests came to the event. They wanted to delve into another delicious bowl of your specialty soup while supporting feeding the hungry in our communities.
We know how restricted the government has been on your businesses forcing temporary closures. We will not add to this burden. But we would be neglectful if we didn’t remind the public that these specialty soups are still available at these establishments. When you order a bowl, please thank them for their past support of the Pine River Area Food Shelf.
Nobody should go hungry in these trying times. No one gets turned away. If you know of anyone struggling, send them to us. They may call 218-587-4292.
The food shelf is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, except the second Tuesday of the month when hours are 3:30-6 p.m.
Kathleen Stephan is a volunteer for the Pine River-Backus Family Center and Pine River Food Shelf.
