REGIONAL- With Minnesota food shelves nearing the end of a third consecutive year of record visits, Gov. Tim Walz dipped into the state’s American Rescue Plan Act funding to authorize $5 million of additional assistance going into the holiday season.
“All Minnesotans deserve to sit around a full table and spend time with loved ones during the holidays,” said Walz. “Minnesotans are generous people who do their part to ensure their neighbors have what they need – and this funding will go a long way to supporting those efforts. I’m grateful for our partnership with organizations working to tackle food insecurity and distribute these funds quickly.”
Walz made the comments while volunteering at a St. Paul food shelf on Nov. 25. The funds will be distributed around the state early next year.
Despite inflation’s return to normal levels in recent months, Minnesotans are still feeling the effects of the increase in grocery prices in 2022 and 2023, which have remained relatively high. The high cost of food has led to almost 1.5 million more visits to Minnesota food shelves in 2024. Officials believe the total number of visits will be close to nine million, the third annual record in a row.
Funding will support food shelves throughout the state. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families will partner with The Food Group to distribute the funds.
Walz also took aim at the issue of providing shelter for the homeless, designating another $6 million of ARPA funds to support the expansion of a St. Paul emergency homeless shelter.
“Housing is a basic human need, yet thousands of families struggle to find and maintain stable housing,” Walz said. “When left with nowhere to turn, emergency shelters step in, providing warm spaces, hot meals, and needed services. This funding will provide necessary resources for shelters and homeless services.”
Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul, a nonprofit organization that provides families with emergency shelter, food, clothing, tutoring and job coaching, and free legal assistance, will use the funding to expand housing resources for families.