Beginning in March 2020, Growing Up Healthy quickly collaborated with more than 10 community partners and Faribault-area faith organizations to establish a mobile food distribution initiative in Faribault. More than 1,000 Rice County households have been reached through this collaborative effort since April, removing transportation and language barriers and improving food access for those most in need. From April-October 2020, 7,040 boxes of food were distributed. Food deliveries in select neighborhoods will continue as long as resources are available.
Growing Up Healthy is thrilled to report that the Community Action Center (CAC) will lead the establishment of a long-term food access program in Faribault! Invited by the community partners that developed Faribault’s mobile food distribution initiative at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the CAC will establish long-term food access services that are responsive to the needs of Faribault’s diverse community. Additionally, the CAC is committed to providing food access services that intentionally address rural child hunger, in partnership with Faribault’s schools and youth-serving organizations. Having operated in Rice County for more than five decades in Northfield, the CAC brings a highly collaborative approach to service delivery and is eager to deepen its partnerships in Faribault. An investment of this nature in Faribault’s diverse community will have a positive impact on the city’s growth and prosperity for years to come.
Visit the CAC’s website for the most up-to-date information about the Faribault mobile food distribution initiative.
Contact the Community Action Center directly for food access support or questions:
Steph Helkenn
Interim Food Access Coordinator – Faribault
507.573.2627
helkenn.steph@communityactioncenter.org
Malen Galvan, bilingual in English and Spanish
Food Access Support Specialist – Faribault
507.573.2601
galvan.malen@communityactioncenter.org
For a complete list of food access programs in Rice County, see the Rice County Public Health website.
Thank you to our funders:
Thank you to our partners:
Faribault-area faith community – thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s in the food box?
Each week, the food available for pick-up will vary depending on the source(s) (sources include Channel One Food Bank, The Food Group, and Hosanna Church). All food is non-perishable (cans, boxes). Food in the emergency food boxes from Channel One Food Bank may contain pork.
Do I need to register?
No! Just come to one of the sites to pick up food.
Can I pick up a food box for someone else?
Yes! You will need to provide the name and street address for the person you are helping, as well as that person’s household information: number of children in the household (ages birth-17), number of adults in the household (ages 18-64), and number of seniors in the household (age 65+). Please bring that information with you.
Can I go to any site?
Yes!
Who can get the box? How do I know if I qualify?
We will have signs at each site explaining that the food is intended for families in need. When you arrive at a site to pick up food, please review the information on the signs and ask a volunteer if you have any questions.
What if I’m not able to pick up the box on-site because I have a disability?
Please call 507-573-2627 (Steph Helkenn, Community Action Center) and we will connect you with a volunteer who may be able to help.
What data do you collect? Why do you need to collect data?
We will collect your name, street address, and household information: number of children in the household (ages birth-17), number of adults in the household (ages 18-64), and number of seniors in the household (age 65+). Please bring that information with you. Your personal information will be kept confidential. This initiative is being led by the Community Action Center Food Shelf, who will safely store the data. Only aggregate data (names removed) is shared with our donors, to demonstrate how many households are benefiting from the funding they provided for this initiative.
Is this only for Faribault families?
This initiative is intended for Faribault-area families. Northfield-area families are encouraged to reach out to the Community Action Center Food Shelf for assistance. For additional food resources, visit the Rice County website.
How long will this service be available?
Our goal is to serve families each week during Minnesota’s Stay Safe order, as long as resources are available.
Can my neighborhood be one of your sites?
Please call 507-573-2627 (Steph Helkenn, Community Action Center) if you feel your neighborhood has a number of families in need who are unable to access food from one of the current sites. We will be happy to talk with you about whether resources could be identified to expand services.