Summer Challenge maximizes fundraising for Help Center

MONTICELLO — The Monticello Help Center is currently taking part in a food shelf Summer Challenge that will help maximize local fundraising efforts during July.

With only one week left, now is the time for the community to offer assistance, helping fill a need at a time when donations are at their lowest, during the slower summer months.

Organized by Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless and Hunger Solutions, now a part of The Food Group, this opportunity provides participating food shelves in Minnesota with a matched grant proportional to the food shelves’ fundraising activities throughout the month, with the challenge ending on Wednesday, July 31.

The distribution of money from the grant is based on the total funds raised by each participating food shelf in July and the number of food shelves involved, with grants ranging from a minimum of $150 to a maximum of $4,000.

The Monticello Help Center is facing greater need than ever before, and the challenge comes at a key time of year.

“Over the past 18 months, the Monticello Help Center has seen an increase of 27% in households that have begun to rely on us for nutritious food and household resources,” said Executive Director Mary Gardner. “We do the best with what we have, heavily relying on our donations and grants such as the Summer Challenge.”

The persistent economic difficulties brought on by the pandemic and rising inflation have led to a continued dependence on food shelves for many households in our community to fulfill their nutritional requirements.

In 2023, the need for resources from food shelves surged significantly as further aid programs came to an end and food costs climbed. Consequently, food shelves are counting on the assistance from organizations like Open Your Heart to aid individuals facing hunger challenges.

To make a monetary donation to the Help Center, contact Gardner by email at mary.gardner.mhc@gmail.com, by phone at 763-295-4031, ext. 5911, or visit the website and donate online at www.monticellohelpcenter.org.

The local Help Center, located at 224 W. Third St., was founded in 1974, and serves more than 5,000 households each year.

For more information on the Monticello Help Center, visit www.monticellohelpcenter.org; call the Food Shelf at 763-295-4031; or call the Clothing Center at 763-314-0914.

How to help

Cash donations to the Monticello Help Center can be made online at www.monticellohelpcenter.org/donate-1. Donations of food, clothing or household items can be dropped off at 224 W. Third St., Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, as well as Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.monticellocenter.org.