Several local food drives to help families in need over Thanksgiving holiday

For the th straight year the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities will make sure thousands of families don t spend Thanksgiving hungry handing out meals as need reaches record levels The annual Thanksgiving Grocery Bag Distribution will be held on Monday and the annual Thanksgiving Day meal will be served on Thursday We have seen district food and deposit requirements rise significantly over the last several months especially with the pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Campaign benefits during the federal leadership shutdown commented Pam Stegora Axberg the CEO of the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities This increased need is especially heartbreaking during the holidays I m looking forward to seeing our public come together to sponsorship their neighbors experiencing hunger and homelessness The grocery bag distribution will be held from a m to p m Monday Nov at the mission s Men s Campus at E University Ave in St Paul This event helps families and individuals facing hardship enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal With the help of more than contributors UGMTC will pack and distribute complete meals including frozen turkeys pounds of potatoes and a variety of canned and boxed items organizers stated Related Articles Q A St Paul Police Chief Axel Henry halfway through his term as factory floor chief St Paul s first Thanksgiving years ago lacked turkeys but not booze Maplewood gunman sentenced for shooting at car while kids cowered nearby Metro Transit looking for a new police chief St Paul Council Member Johnson plans family leave to welcome first child A Thanksgiving meal will be provided to visitors from a m to p m on Thursday Nov at the St Paul Men s Campus Dozens of supporters will serve a traditional meal in a warm dignified atmosphere ensuring guests experience comfort and belonging Everyone from the district is welcome organizers commented in a news release Our Thanksgiving Day events are not just about providing food they re about creating a meaningful and uplifting dining experience for those who may not have the opportunity to be served disclosed Axberg Our celebration is a way to extend generosity and remind each person that they are valued and not alone Other food drives Linwood Recreation Center in St Paul located at St Clair Ave is accepting food shelf donations for the Hallie Q Brown Food Shelf from a m to p m until Monday The most-needed items include Canned tuna chicken or beans Rice pasta lentils boxed meals and ramen Canned fruit vegetables soups and stews Peanut butter cereal and oatmeal Shelf-stable milks Sealed baby formula baby food baby wipes and diapers Hygiene items such as deodorant bar soap shampoo conditioner and feminine care items Organizers ask that anything with a glass container alcohol open or expired items refrigerated or frozen items or homemade foods not be donated The city of St Paul will continue operating food drive locations that began Nov when SNAP benefits were suspended They are asking for new unopened shelf-stable items and hygiene items The most-needed items are Canned tuna chicken or beans Rice pasta lentils boxed meals and ramen canned fruits and vegetables soups and stews Peanut seed butters cereal and oatmeal Shelf-stable milk both dairy and non-dairy Masa Harina jasmine basmati rice noodles and Halal options Baby formula sealed and not expired baby food baby wipes and diapers No glass containers open expired items homemade food alcohol or refrigerated frozen items will be accepted Items can be dropped off during business hours at the following locations Highland Park Locality Center at Ford Parkway Arlington Hills District Center at Payne Ave North Dale Recreation Center at N Albans St and Oxford Neighborhood Center at N Lexington Parkway Neighborhood House Neighborhood House functionaries ask that smaller donations such as a meager bags of food can be dropped off anytime during area hours Hours can be exposed at neighborhoodhousemn org programs food-support food-markets Administrators ask that if attainable people schedule their drop-offs by calling - - The Neighborhood House has two locations for donations and for people to pick up food Wellstone Center Food Realm at Robie St in St Paul Neighborhood House on Montreal Food Region Montreal Ave St Paul