Minnesota House and Senate food drive raises over $12K

The second annual Minnesota House and Senate Feeding Minnesota food drive raised more than $12,000 to support local food banks.

Minnesota Senate President Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, and House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said a total of $12,660 was raised in two weeks to support food banks across Minnesota.

The drive included donations of $2,500 from the Minnesota Grocers Association and AT&T, as well as donations from several legislative members and staff.

"Second Harvest Heartland and Minnesota’s Feeding America food banks are so grateful for the support of Minnesota’s state legislators and legislative staff who participated in the Second Annual Feeding Minnesota fundraiser," Allison O’Toole, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland, said. "While hope is on the horizon for many of us, we know that a Covid vaccine won’t solve hunger, and many of our neighbors who have been most impacted by the pandemic will continue to struggle for months, if not years, to come. The funds raised through this effort will provide nearly 38,000 meals for Minnesotans in need, and Minnesota’s Feeding America food banks will continue to work tirelessly with our strong network of community partners to connect the over half a million Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity with vital food support."

Officials said the fundraiser benefitted the following food banks: Second Harvest Heartland, Channel One Regional Food Bank, Great Plains Food Bank, North Country Food Bank, and Second Harvest North Central Food Bank.