Choosing Between Food and Shelter: Why Our Community Must Act

Written By Matt Dymoke

Last week, ICA joined a roundtable conversation at Second Harvest Heartland, hosted with Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-3), our Executive Director Dan Narr, representatives from Second Harvest and The Food Group, and Mary, a client receiving SNAP benefits. The group gathered to discuss the impact of looming federal food assistance cuts and what that means for families in our community. Following the conversation, participants shared their perspectives with the press, underscoring just how urgent this issue has become.

Mary stood in the room and asked a question no one should ever have to consider:

“Do we want to put a roof over our head, or do we want to have enough food?”

Her words stopped us in our tracks. They captured the impossible choices that too many Minnesota families are facing right now.

A Growing Crisis

At ICA, we’re seeing more and more neighbors walk through our doors for the first time. In July alone, we served 19% more people than we did in July of last year.

Our Executive Director, Dan Narr, sees the need rising every day.

“We’re gonna fight tooth and nail to make sure no one goes hungry in this country,” Dan said. “Our community is ready to meet this need. It’s more than food - it’s food, jobs, and housing.”

But as the need grows, the resources to meet it are shrinking. Federal programs that supplied essential food and funding to food shelves across Minnesota are being cut. That means fewer fresh foods, fewer pantry staples, and fewer supports for the families who depend on them.

The Human Cost

For people like Mary, these cuts aren’t just numbers on a budget line. They’re meals skipped. They’re trade-offs between paying the rent and putting dinner on the table.

Representative Kelly Morrison joined Dan and other leaders recently to see this reality up close.

“Food assistance organizations like yours are a triumph,” she told us. “It’s food. We should not be in this manufactured crisis.”

Her words remind us that hunger is not inevitable - it’s a solvable problem.

Our Community’s Response

Even in the midst of this challenge, we’ve seen incredible resilience. Volunteers continue to show up. Donors continue to give. Neighbors continue to care for one another.

Because ICA has always been more than a food shelf. When someone comes to us, they’re not just receiving groceries. They’re finding support, dignity, and hope.

“It’s more than food - it’s food, jobs, and housing,” Dan said. And he’s right. Each visit opens doors to wraparound services that help families stabilize and thrive.

How You Can Help

This is a moment for all of us to step forward. You can:

  • Donate – Every dollar stretches further when federal food shipments fall short.

  • Volunteer – Your time helps us serve more families with dignity.

  • Advocate – Let lawmakers know that cutting hunger relief programs harms real people in our community.

  • Share – Talk about Mary’s story. Make sure this crisis is seen and heard.

Hope in Action

Mary’s question lingers with us: roof or food? No one should have to choose. Together, we can make sure they don’t.

Because here in our community, we believe everyone deserves both.

Matt Dymoke
Next

You’re Invited: ICA Community Town Hall on Sept. 18