"Excelsior Farmers Market Partners with ICA Food Shelf to Add EBT Card Usage," Sun Sailor, February 2018

Sun Sailor Newspapers
Paige Keiffer
February 2, 2018

With all the cold and snowy weather this winter, it’s exciting to think the Excelsior Farmers Market will return Tuesday, May 22, and will run through Tuesday, Sept. 25.

One change that customers will notice this year is the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the farmers’ market, has partnered with the ICA Food Shelf to add access for Electronic Benefits Transfer cards for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program users.

The idea to add EBT card access to the farmers market was put forward by Laura Hotvet, executive director of the chamber. 

She said that she saw how the Minnetonka and Hopkins farmers markets are set up so EBT cards can be used and she wanted the same system in Excelsior so SNAP users in the South Lake Minnetonka area could shop at the market.

“A number of people have asked every year if we accept the EBT cards and we haven’t had the proper mechanism built into the system and now we will be able to offer that,” Hotvet said.

From 2-6 p.m. Tuesdays May 22 to Sept. 25, the food shelf will have a booth in the middle of the market. The booth will have an ATM-like machine that will withdraw however much someone wants from their EBT card. Then they are given tokens that can be given to the vendors, who are then later reimbursed by the chamber. The tokens will only work at food vendors. The machine can also be used as a cash machine for anyone with debit cards.  

Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Laura Hotvet and ICA Food Shelf Executive Director Peg Keenan are partnering to provide EBT card access to the Excelsior Farmers Market.

The booth will also provide more information for those who are in need of the ICA Food Shelf’s services, educational opportunities, volunteer and more information.

“The Excelsior Farmers’ Market won’t look any different but it will now have this regular involvement of the ICA Food Shelf on site,” Hotvet said. “They will have a variety of other offerings throughout the season such as activities, food drives and educational opportunism. This partnership allows for outreach opportunities. It helps reach those in need but it also allows us to educate the public on all that the ICA Food Shelf offers to enhance our community. It also allows them to reach out to potential volunteers or donors as well. In addition we get to build on relationships with our farmers and food providers where we can work with them to get food to those in need.”

The ICA Food Shelf provides food, employment and financial assistance annually to more than 800 families in Hopkins, Minnetonka, Excelsior, Shorewood, Deephaven, Greenwood and Woodland.

“In some areas we’re seeing an increase in need, in others a slight decrease,” said ICA Food Shelf Executive Director Peg Keenan. “People are still needing the employment support, especially the affordable housing support. Our food employments are down only a couple percent, which is only a handful of families. Overall our need is staying even. Our families that use us though more are using us twice a month instead of the typical once a month. The need is more frequent.”

Keenan said that the food shelf struggles to provide healthy food options to their clients. She said that healthy foods, especially produce, are more expensive and the food shelf doesn’t get enough donations.  

“At the ICA Food Shelf were always working towards increasing the healthy and nutritious options for our clients,” Keenan said. “The Excelsior Farmers Market is one way we can increase those options for our clients so they can access to healthy foods.”

Keenan said that the food shelf also works with farmers at local farmers markets to collect food that may expire soon or food that they may want to donate.

“The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce’s responsibility of executing a farmers market is great and wonderful but I think what we were missing was an organization that we could partner with that is actually orientated around food and feeding people in need,” Hotvet said. “I think ICA Food Shelf has had such an important presence in downtown Excelsior and the greater South Lake Minnetonka area and having a further increased presence allows for a broader reach to those in need on the western side of their service area.”

For more information on the ICA Food Shelf, visit icafoodshelf.org or call 952-938-0729. The food shelf is located at 11588 K-Tel Dr., Minnetonka.

For more information on the Excelsior Farmers’ Market, visit bit.ly/1PCWp3X or call 952-474-6461.  

"More Residents Using Minnetonka Food Shelf," Star Tribune, December 2017

Star Tribune
Randy Furst
December 1, 2017

When the doors of the ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka opened at 11:30 a.m. last Monday, 20 people were standing in line or waiting in cars.

Some headed for racks at the front of the store where there were shelves of bread and bananas, while others signed in, having already scheduled appointments.

Economic distress is nothing new for some people in the Twin Cities suburbs, but the growth in clientele at the ICA, located in a small industrial strip mall, reflects the financial difficulties many people now experience despite state statistics showing lower unemployment rates.

Between fiscal years 2008 and 2017, the number of clientele who have paid a visit to the ICA Food Shelf has grown from 3,256 to 5,737.

“People are struggling,” says Peg Keenan, the food shelf’s executive director. There’s more poverty, and people are having a difficult time getting jobs at the same pay levels they’re used to, she said. “We have clients who are working two to three jobs, but not a livable wage, and with no health care or benefits.”

The ICA Food Shelf serves seven western Twin Cities communities — Hopkins, Minnetonka, Woodland, Deephaven, Greenwood, Excelsior and Shorewood. Set up like a grocery store, many clients show up by appointment and search the aisles, pushing a grocery basket. Volunteers help them find products. Instructions on the shelves tell people how many items they can select, based on the size of their household.

Lilia Coronel’s 2005 Nissan Altima would not start Monday morning, so a friend drove her to the food shelf. “I can’t buy enough food [at local stores] because I only work part-time,” said Coronel, 35, of Hopkins, who has a 5-year-old son. “My refrigerator is almost empty now.” She said she earns $12 an hour as a janitor, working 25 hours a week. Her food stamp allotment was cut this year from $180 to $90 a month. “I don’t know why,” she said.

Among the items that went into her basket: a plantain, eggs, canned fruit, a bag of peppers and some frozen meats. Because of limits in what she can take from the food shelf, she said she planned to go to Aldi’s to buy some additional fruits and vegetables.

ICA stands for Intercongregation Communities Association, reflecting the churches that once sponsored it, said Keenan. The food shelf is now supported by a broader group that includes congregations, community members and local businesses, she said. It has an annual operating budget of $1.4 million and receives $3.1 million in food donations. Some 55 percent of the food comes from a “food rescue operation.” Volunteers go to 13 local grocery stores, picking up produce, dairy products and meats.

Fifty volunteers turn up daily to go through the food to weed out produce that’s too old and also help clients navigate the food shelf, Keenan said.

A survey of 374 clients in June found that underemployment was the single biggest reason people had come to the food shelf, followed by job loss or a medical crisis.

Relate Counseling Center, based in Minnetonka, offers nine hours of free counseling services to food shelf users a week, the costs of it borne by Relate and ICA, said Aaron Rusnak, a therapist there. “We’re finding people who come from multi-stressed lives that includes economic stress,” he said. The economic troubles puts stress on relationships, he said.

He counseled one family who had significant debt from an after-school child care program. The family was worried because the program was going to stop taking a child, he said, but he worked with the manager of the program to allow the family to pay off the debt in smaller amounts so the child could continue to attend.

On Monday, Caryn Jerry, 31, of Minnetonka, was searching a shelf for canned goods. Her 2-year-old daughter, Tay’ah, sat in the shopping cart. She said she was a secretary at North Memorial Medical Center and has been coming to the food shelf for about a year after there were layoffs at the hospital and her hours were cut to part-time.

She said she is a single mother with four children. “It’s great food,” she said of the food shelf’s supplies. “The No. 1 top thing is the frozen meats.”

Galina Khoshzabana, 65, who is unemployed, said she has been coming to the food shelf for four years. Russian by birth, she is living with her 76-year-old boyfriend and has lived in Minnetonka five years.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Khoshzabana told Michaels, the program manager, who was standing nearby.

Khoshzabana has a university degree in music from Russia, but her English needs work, and she is studying English now so she can get a job.

“In six months, maybe I go to work and ICA, goodbye,” she said. In the meantime, she says, “I eat because I have ICA.”

"Nonprofits provide free counseling to clients," Sun Sailor, May 2017

Sun Sailor Newspapers
Kristina Busch
May 30, 2017

As May comes to an end, so does the 68th annual Mental Health Month. Mental Health America initiated the first observance of May as Mental Health Month in 1949. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 20 percent of adults in the U.S. will experience a mental health issue, like depression or anxiety, during their lifetime.

To assist those who suffer from mental health issues, WeCAN, a nonprofit social services organization, and ICA Food Shelf collaborated with Relate Counseling Center to offer free, walk-in counseling.
ICA Case Manager Jessie Billiet said this merger, which occurred more than a year ago, was initially funded through a grant from the Minnetonka Collaborative. She said there is a significant need for services for those with unresolved mental health issues.
“I think it’s very unique that we have this partnership,” she said. “I don’t how many other food shelves that have therapists coming in for free.”

Outpatient therapists from Relate assist the clients who approach them, Billiet said. There are no prior qualifications for the counseling, and ICA clients only need an appointment and a proof of address to access the food shelf. Clients who are homeless can show a form of ID to staff, she said.
“Because it’s a friendly space, [therapists] are here three to four days a week and people are used to seeing them,” Billiet said. “We hope our service is more approachable.”
One outpatient therapist comes to WeCAN weekly for about four hours, said Lisa Conway, Relate director of clinical services. At both ICA and WeCAN, the therapists give clients a brief consultation, which can lead to full length therapy sessions.

Aaron Rusnak, a Relate outpatient therapist for ICA, said therapy is helpful because it allows people to be vulnerable and to understand how to live life confidently.
“One of the biggest things that I see coming out of therapy is that people feel they are worth something and they’re not alone in the world,” he said. “There’s a sense of connection.”
Now, the counseling services are funded exclusively by Relate, Conway said. They are currently pursuing outside funding.
“We wanted to try and offer some sort of mental health service to people at ICA instead of having them try and come over to Relate,” Rusnak said. “We work with ICA case managers to determine what setup is the best [for the clients].”

At ICA, he noted, clients do not have to fill out paperwork like they would at Relate. But, at both locations, therapists assess the client to determine how counseling should go.
“Counseling is being a sounding board in some ways,” Rusnak said. “It’s creating a safe environment for people to process their own distress or their own issues.”
There are several clients who come in to the food shelf weekly to work with a therapist, Billiet said.
Rusnak said the stigma surrounding mental health and counseling dissipates when people realize everyone is dealing with their own issues and working to regulate their emotions and life.
“When we can be vulnerable, there’s a sense of connection,” he said.

He also said the response from staff and volunteers has been overwhelmingly positive because, rather than having to refer a client to Relate, there are therapists available on location.
“In that sense, it’s much easier to access,” Rusnak said. “I’ve had quite a few conversations with people who wouldn’t have even thought about going to Relate or meeting with a counselor.”

But Rusnak also said he wants ICA to train staff to notice mental health concerns in people. He said it is important to have this educational piece, as well as walk-in counseling, to ensure a comfortable environment for clients.
“For me, the basic need essentially that counseling meets is the ability to be heard and to feel accepted and [that] you’re in a safe place with somebody,” he said. “The relationship is key, that ability to feel that you are welcomed.”

"Minnetonka Reflection Award to Ron Kamps", Minnetonka Memo, April 2017

Minnetonka Memo
April 26, 2017

When dreaming of retirement, many people look forward to relaxing and retreating to a warmer climate during cold Minnesota winters. However, Minnetonka resident Ron Kamps had a different dream when he retired 12 years ago: he wanted to give back to the community he has called home for 44 years.

“My philosophy is first you learn, then you earn, then you serve,” said Kamps. “If you don’t give back to the community, it will die.”

What started as volunteering a couple of days at a local food shelf has evolved into a 12-year legacy of giving back tirelessly to the community. Today, Kamps serves on the boards of several organizations and dedicates 40-60 hours a week to public service. That’s why he’s being honored with the City of Minnetonka Reflections Award, which is designed to recognize individuals, businesses and programs whose outstanding contributions reflect positively on Minnetonka.

“Our community is blessed in so many ways by having Ron among us and volunteering for so many things to benefit others,” said Dennis L. Peterson, Ph.D., Minnetonka Public Schools superintendent.

“I cannot imagine anyone being more deserving of this recognition than Ron.”

Kamps grew up in a small town in Minnesota, where he learned the values of hard work and giving back. He married his wife and moved to Minnetonka in 1973, where they raised four children. Kamps

enjoyed a successful career in the computer industry, which took him to exotic locations all over the world, traveling hundreds of thousands of miles a year. As he neared retirement, Kamps was ready to be home, but he didn’t want to stop using his business skills and talents. After a discussion with his pastor about how he could best serve the community, Kamps found himself at the Intercongregational Communities Association (ICA) Food Shelf in Minnetonka.

His first role at ICA was to pick up and deliver food in his SUV. It became immediately clear to ICA Executive Director Peg Keenan that Kamps has a rare gift of connecting ICA with people and companies that could help move the organization forward. Today, Kamps serves as ICA board vice president and helps organize special events to raise money for the food shelf. “Volunteers like Ron are essential to our being able to serve everyone in need,” said Keenan.

Through his work with ICA, Kamps connected with other organizations that could benefit from his business know-how and ability to foster relationships. Throughout the years, he has served on the boards of 14 organizations and is heavily involved in his congregation. He supports Minnetonka Public schools through grant writing and assistance with technology and science programs, helps coordinate the Minnetonka Community Education Tour de Tonka annual event (which supports ICA), chairs the Hopkins Public Schools Empty Bowls fundraiser, coordinates special events for the Diamond Club, and so much more. “To know Ron Kamps is to know the true meaning of the words ‘service, humility, passion, integrity and character,’” said Tim Litfin, executive director of Community Education for Minnetonka Public Schools. “Ron is tireless.”

Though Kamps goes above and beyond daily to help others, he is extremely humble. “I’m honored to receive this award, but I didn’t do any of this for the recognition,” said Kamps. “I’m just one person in a team of people doing whatever they can to help our community.”

Kamps was nominated by Peg Keenan, ICA executive director. He was chosen for the award by a committee consisting of Minnetonka Mayor Terry Schneider and former mayors Karen Anderson, Jan Callison and Tim Bergstedt.

"EDCO Products Inc. establishes long term relationship with ICA", January 2017

EDCO Products Inc.
January 5, 2017

EDCO Products, Inc., a Minnesota based manufacturer of residential and commercial exterior building products, in conjunction with their 70th anniversary, today announced a partnership with ICA Food Shelf that will provide significant financial support, as well as additional employee involvement with future ICA initiatives.  The current commitment will run through 2020 with the potential to expand and/or extend the partnership into the future.

"Philanthropy and community involvement have been hallmarks at EDCO since the company was founded back in 1946," said Eric Lindquist, EDCO President and CEO.  "Having been located in Hopkins since our company began, we wanted to find a meaningful way to give back to the community that has been so good to us.  We are honored to be partnering with the ICA Food Shelf and to support the vital services they provide within Hopkins and the surrounding communities."

"EDCO's commitment to our food shelf will provide significant resources that will allow us to better serve the more than 2400 individuals who currently depend on ICA on a monthly basis," said Peg Keenan, ICA Food Shelf Executive Director.  "We are delighted to have EDCO join our team and look forward to their support for many years to come."

EDCO Products is one of the oldest, privately held, exterior building products manufacturers in the United States. In 1946, EDCO officially incorporated and began a 70-year journey with a laser-focused commitment to innovation, quality and service.  The entrepreneurial spirit of Arthur Edwards, Sr. and his son, Arthur Edwards, Jr., led to the creation of an award-winning residential and commercial building products manufacturer which established its headquarters in Hopkins, Minnesota -- where their main offices and manufacturing still exist today.  Arthur Edwards, Jr. continued to work at EDCO each day until his passing in 2012 at the age of 92.  His inspirational legacy lives on today through his two daughters, Jan Edwards and Danae Kasbi, as well as his grandson Kavon Kasbi, who are now 3rd and 4th generation owners of the company.  

In 2015, the company appointed a new President and CEO, Eric Lindquist, to lead EDCO into the future.  "I am honored to have been chosen to lead this incredible company and look forward to expanding on the rich tradition of innovation, quality, and service we are renowned for while at the same time capitalizing on the significant growth opportunities we see before us," said Lindquist.  "We are confident that the next 70 years will be just as impressive as the first 70."

About EDCO Products, Inc.

Headquartered in Hopkins Minnesota, EDCO Products, Inc. is one of the largest privately held manufacturers of pre-finished exterior building materials in the United States.  They design and manufacture a full-line of siding, roofing, soffit, and rainware products.  EDCO has established distributor partnerships across the United States and into Canada.

EDCO was founded in 1946 by the enterprising Edwards family who capitalized on a strong demand for affordable building materials in the wake of WWII.  For the past 70 years, EDCO has delivered numerous industry innovations while achieving industry leading quality and service. Today, EDCO continues to set the standard for quality, service, and innovation.    

"Excelsior From the Heart IV Variety Show Raises Funds for ICA", Sun Sailor, November 2016

Paige Kieffer
Sun Sailor
November 30, 2016

Admission at the From the Heart IV Annual Holiday Variety Show on Nov. 19 at Excelsior Elementary was a donated non-perishable food item that went to the ICA Food Shelf. Over 5,000 pounds of food donations from the show and Excelsior Elementary Students were raised.

"Hopkins VFW Combats Hunger", Sun Sailor, November 2016

Gabby Landsverk
Sun Sailor
November 29,  2016

No one should go hungry on Thanksgiving — if a family can’t avoid a holiday meal, volunteers will not only fund but also handpick and delivery everything needed for a proper family feast.

That’s the annual tradition of the George R. Wolff VFW Post #425 in Hopkins, a tradition that has been around for longer than anyone can remember.  “It’s been at least 51 years,” said Jane Perry, president of the Post #425 Auxiliary. “And there’s some people who have been involved in it for all that time.”

The Hopkins VFW has provided holiday cheer and meals for those in need for at least 51 years. Dick Dvorak, a World War II veteran, along with his wife Pat, have volunteered since the event began.  Although exact date of the event’s origin is unclear, Perry said it came out of a desire to keep everyone in the community fed and cared for during the holidays. “We felt there was a real need to give families who didn’t have anything a nice dinner,” Perry said.

This Thanksgiving, 20 local families in need received all the ingredients for a full holiday feast, courtesy of the VFW members who raised the funds, shopped and delivered the baskets. The care packages included fruit, veggies, baking supplies and a gift card to purchase a turkey.
“It’s everything you need for a nice Thanksgiving meal,” said Bob Manders, commander of Post #425.

The ICA Foodshelf provides the names of those who could use the support; the club prioritizes veterans and their families.  “One shopper said she was told by an emotional recipient that if we didn’t buy the groceries, her family wouldn’t have a Thanksgiving,” said Betty Black. “They’re so appreciative.”

The total, of about $1,700 spent on the care baskets, was raised through the VFW’s annual turkey and ham spin event, as well as from the proceeds of the club’s charitable gambling activities such as pull tabs. The Minnetonka Cub Foods also donated some of the grocery items.  More than 40 volunteers helped with the shopping and delivery of the Thanksgiving baskets, which Perry said is an annual tradition among the club’s members.  “Volunteering is just part of their holiday tradition,” she said. “We never have a hard time find volunteers because so many people want to help.”

Participants come from all over the west metro area, she added, including parts of Minnetonka, St. Louis Park and other neighboring cities.  “The post service area covers more than just Hopkins,” Perry said.  It also offers more than just meals to veterans in need, but also supports community members with cash donations and other assistance. The post receives multiple letters a day from people requesting help, either financially or through services such as an honor guard for funerals.  “We do it at the drop of a hat,” Perry said, once the need has been determined.

Mark Peterson said that while the club is active throughout the community in a variety of ways, veteran support and feeding the hungry are special priority for the VFW.  “Helping veterans and ending hunger are things we specifically try to address,” he said “I don’t think there’s anything worse than being hungry and not having the means to buy food … just because someone lives in the suburbs doesn’t mean they’re exempt from needing help.”   Tommy Johnson, who works with homeless veterans, said the two goals go hand in hand.
“When I was on active duty, I missed more than a few meals and there’s nothing worse than being hungry,” Johnson said. “The old saying is that an army marches on its stomach.”

Although Thanksgiving has come and gone, the gift-giving season is far from over for VFW Post #425, as preparations are already underway for a similar donation of Christmas meals to those in need.  Throughout the holiday season and beyond, Manders added, the VFW will continue to raise funds and build community for veterans and their friends and family.
“It’s a fraternal organization, but it’s also a place for people to gather for community. We’re open to the public and we welcome people to come in as our guests,” Manders said. “We’re especially trying to get into the 21st century and attract younger members.”

Perry said this time of year is especially important to the VFW, as it highlights just how much work members do within the community.  “We want people to know that we’re not just a bar, we’re a service organization,” Perry said. “It’s a great feeling when we’re able to help people who need it.”

"Community Members Bag Groceries for Tips to Help ICA", Sun Sailor, November 2016

Paige Kieffer
Sun Sailor
November 29, 2016

Excelsior Fire Department Chief Scott Gerber, Hopkins Police Officer Nick Stamboulieh, ICA Food Shelf volunteers, and others bag for tips on Nov. 23 at Cub Foods in Minnetonka to raise funds for the ICA Food Shelf.

Feeding the Hungry, One Apple at a Time", Sun Sailor, August 2016

Gabby Landsverk
Sun Sailor
August 31, 2016

Few things are more emblematic of Minnesota’s warmer months than fruit, fresh from the tree or vine. Bob Werner, an aspiring botanist and Minnetonka resident, has made it his mission to grow the best grapes, apples and other fruit the harsh Minnesota climate will allow. Along the way, he’s donated thousands of pounds of fresh produce through the ICA Foodshelf to people who otherwise might go hungry.

In total, Werner has donated 93,025 pounds of fresh, home-grown produce to local food shelves since 1993.  “As the crop improves, you’ve got to do something with it. You can’t eat it all yourself,” he said.   Werner said he first offered the fruits of his labor to friends and family. When there was too much even to share, he decided to start donating the fruit.

He said he was never interested in selling or marketing his produce, preferring instead to focus on his plants.  His small backyard on Lake Street Extension is a wonderland for gardeners and foodies alike, with more than a dozen kinds of fruit on the vine. Werner’s crop includes apricots, hazelnuts, black walnuts, many kinds of apples, pears, plums and several kinds of berries as well as a diverse array of grapes. Even more of the botanical bounty can be found at his hobby farm, a short drive away from his home, with several acres of orchards.

Werner retired from the workforce about four years ago, and now spends most of his time tending his beloved vines and trees. “Now I can take my leisurely time with it, instead of limited it to evenings and weekends,” he said.  Werner has lived in Minnesota his entire life, and moved to Minnetonka in 1972.  His life story includes an University of Minnesota education in electrical engineering, service in the Air Force from 1959-1962, a brief stint in oil prospecting and a career in manufacturing and industrial design.  Gardening, however, has always been passion.
“When I was a kid, I knew where every apple tree in the neighborhood was, so I could steal the apples,” he recalled with a smile.

Growing up, he remembers helping his father garden, growing grapes, carrots, strawberries and the like. He loved having something fresh to eat.  In 1980, Werner bought a hobby farm in Minnetrista, on the other end Lake Minnetonka from his current home. Although only a few acres, he said the work, and rewards, were more than he initially expected.  “When you go into something like that, it seems so simple,” Werner said. “You end up spending more time combating weeds and insects than raising fruit, but it’s interesting and it’s good exercise.”
He never had formal training in agriculture and picked up the tricks of the trade through trial and error, as well as watching other passionate planters at work.  “It was before the Internet, so you just research and try things,” he said. “I learned a lot from other people and traveled a lot.”

Werner said it helped that he came from a well-educated family, with both of his parents having college educations. His children have carried on the tradition, one of Werner’s daughters is a professor of biology, another is a dentist and the third worked for the Peace Corps.  Werner has also contributed to furthering the field of Minnesota fruit growing. He has experimented with grape varieties since the 1970s, searching from variety hardy enough to withstand Minnesota winters. His efforts put him alongside a cadre of well-known scientists with similar goals, including pioneering grape breeder Elmer Swenson.

While Werner has donated cuttings of his more resilient crops to the U of M for research, he was humble about the results of his many years of hands-on work.  “I had a lot of fun, but there’s nothing I came up with that’s known beyond my small circle,” Werner said. “Maybe someday it will be of use to someone.”  Werner recently celebrated his 77th birthday, but is still spry enough to do all the tending and harvesting of the crop himself, suggesting there may be some truth to the old adage of “an apple a day.”  “Sometimes I eat two or three apples,” he said with a smile.

Good health seems to run in the family — Werner recalls seeing a photo of his grandfather in his hometown newspaper, more than 70 years old and still pitching hay.  “I don’t have the energy I used to, but I’ll keep doing it as long as I’m capable of it. It’s good exercise,” he said.
Werner also plans to keep donating as much as he can to ICA, and hopes his efforts will gain attention not for him, but for the charity, and encourage other people to get involved in feeding the community.

“This is what I’ve donated, but what I want people to think about it what else could be donated, what else the food shelf does and how people can help,” he said.  Monika Salden, communication specialist at ICA Foodshelf, said that Werner is an exceptional supporter of the organization.  “He donates so much and does all the work himself,” she said. “He maintains an orchard that’s just for us, and that’s really beautiful.”

Salden said other community groups, such as churches and schools, also grow gardens for the food shelf, as do some residents. In total, the organization feeds approximately 848 families per month, a total of 6,300 area residents in 2015.  Whether or not one has a green thumb, however, Salden said there’s a variety of ways to get involved.  “Whatever you’re passionate about, we can figure out a way for you to help,” Salden said. “There’s so many ways to engage and we’re always looking for donations and volunteers.”

Tour De Tonka Celebrates 11 Years", Lakeshore Weekly News, May 2016

Lakeshore Weekly News
May 17, 2016

In 2006, 819 riders participated in Tour de Tonka. Last year, over 3,500 riders from more than 200 different Minnesota communities and 20 states participated in the event. On Saturday, Aug. 6, the event will celebrate supporting healthy lifestyles, friendship, family and community through biking, and will raise money for Minnetonka education and ICA Food Shelf.

“Bicycle riders participate because Tour de Tonka is pure fun,” said Tim Litfin, Tour de Tonka director, in a statement on the event’s website. “All ages and all abilities – from families and recreational bicyclists to cycling teams and serious athletes –enjoy what Tour de Tonka offers them.”

Riders can choose from routes of seven distances: 15, 28, 40, 48, 57, 67 or 100 miles. Tour de Tonka begins with a mass start and there are 12 rest stops along the way, with food and music.

“It is all about the rider,” Litfin said. “Tour de Tonka is unlike other bike rides in the state and in the Upper Midwest. One major reason is our excellent volunteers who engage and assist the riders. Every year our riders tell us through a post-event survey that the level of commitment, the volunteers, the routes, the music, the rest stops, the mass start, the door prizes, the energy, the vendor fair, the food, the free wicking shirt and more make Tour de Tonka a one-of-a-kind event.”

Tour de Tonka’s routes move through 23 different west metro communities including Chanhassen, Chaska, Deephaven, Delano, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Greenwood, Independence, Mayer, Minnetonka, Minnetrista, Mound, Navarre, Norwood Young America, Orono, Plymouth, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Victoria, Waconia, Watertown and Wayzata – all of which showcase the roads, trails, and scenic views of areas including Lake Minnetonka, Lake Waconia, Riley Lake, and the Crow River.

The 67 and 100-mile rides will begin at 7 a.m. at Clear Springs Elementary. The 15, 28, 40, 48 and 57-mile rides will begin Minnetonka High School at 7:30 a.m. Pre-race day registration and packet pick-up will be available at MHS on Friday, Aug. 5, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. On race day, parking at each location opens at 5:30 a.m., as does registration and packet pick up.

Tour de Tonka also partners with the ICA Food Shelf. A portion of each rider’s registration fee is donated to the ICA, and riders can also donate money or non-perishable food items on or before the day of the ride. Since 2006, Tour de Tonka has raised more than $40,000 to support the ICA. Learn more about ICA at www.icafoodshelf.org.Remaining proceeds support Minnetonka Community Youth Education and Early Childhood Programs.

For answers to frequently asked questions, routes, and registration information, visit www.minnetonka.k12.mn.us/tourdetonka.

"Healthy Savings Pilot Program", MNHI Press Release, May 2016

Media Contacts:
Danielle McCallum:  Healthy Savings/Solutran 763-519-7215
Marsha Pitts-Phillips: Greater Twin Cities United Way 612-340-7401
Greg Bury: Medica 952-992-8437
"Healthy Savings Pilot Program",  
MNHI Press Release,
May 16, 2016

A unique local consortium is teaming up with the goal of improving diets of low income families, one bite and measurement at a time. With the aim of making it easier to access healthy foods through the combination of financial support, health benefits, and technology, the Minnesota Hunger Initiative (MNHI) – originally convened by Greater Twin Cities United Way – is partnering with Medica Research Institute, Solutran and the University of Minnesota Extension.

MNHI officials have outlined the multi-pronged approach: Build upon the success of the 2014 and 2015 program in which low income families were provided access to the Healthy Savings® program provided by Solutran to buy discounted produce and other healthy foods that resulted in changed eating habits; tap into the expertise of University of Minnesota Extension staff to educate families and individuals about how to shop for and prepare healthy foods; and leverage the expertise of investigators at the Medica Research Institute to measure and analyze program outcomes.

During the current 12-week Healthy Savings campaign that began in February, participants get up to $20 in free fresh fruits and vegetables each week. They receive additional savings on other nutritious staples such as eggs, lean meats, milk, whole grain bread, yogurt, and more. The Healthy Savings program’s success is centered on simplicity. Participants receive Healthy Savings cards with healthy food savings pre-loaded onto their account each week and can shop at Cub Foods, Rainbow Foods, and Lunds and Byerlys.

Five Minnesota Hunger and other partner food shelf programs – Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP) in Brooklyn Park, Intercongregational Communities Association (ICA) in Minnetonka, NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center in Minneapolis, Echo Food Shelf in Mankato, and Family Pathways in Forest Lake – recruited, enrolled and supported participants for the program, building on their existing relationships with people they served.

“This is a win-win and a major step in the effort to create healthier communities,” said Patty Wilder, project lead for the Minnesota Hunger Initiative. “Healthier communities mean kids do better in school, adults have fewer sick days at work, and health systems see fewer people with chronic issues.” Participants are learning how to shop for and cook healthier foods through a grocery store tour with a nutrition educator and through cooking classes organized by University of Minnesota Extension services. The classes feature well-known and talented chefs such as Thomas Boehmer, from restaurants the Corner Table and Revival. CeAnn Klug, University of Minnesota Extension, said: “We’re using evidenced-based coursework and training and combining it with other incentives, technology and research. The combined effort has great likelihood of helping populations that are financially stretched.” Medica Research Institute economist, Angela Fertig, PhD, will assess changes in behavior and outcomes among participants that result from the intervention. “There is a great need to understand how best to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables by food-insecure households,” she said. “If we can identify the most impactful factors in changing eating habits toward more nutritious choices, we can use that knowledge to address the health of our nation and the costs of health care.” “We are passionate about making healthy food more affordable,” said Chad Kelly, CMO of Solutran, and general manager of Healthy Savings. “With our advanced S3 technology we are able to make that a reality for the families in Minnesota and other areas of the country.”

Greater Twin Cities United Way launched the “Stop the Growl” Cause Campaign which raised nearly $85,000 for this Healthy Savings program campaign. Solutran donated both time and $10,000 to support Stop the Growl. MNHI’s Patty Wilder sums up why the program is successful: “This is an incredible example of a powerful collective impact initiative where everyone’s goals are to increase the health of those whom we serve.” Program participants receive the following:

• Healthy Savings Card loaded for 12 weeks of free produce;
• continued benefits for healthier foods;
• and benefits to shop at local farmers’ markets;
• Cooking class to learn knife, nutrition, and safety tips;
•  Kitchen supplies for easier and faster cooking;
• A grocery store tour where participants learn how to use the Healthy Savings Card,
• tips on reading labels,
• weighing food and budgeting;
• A dietary log to measure current and post-pilot eating habits;
• At the end of the project, a survey to measure behavioral changes.

About Healthy Savings Healthy Savings is a program for participants to save on healthier foods without having to clip, print or download coupons. Discounts are pre-loaded on to participant accounts each week and activated with a simple scan of a barcode from a card or mobile phone at checkout of participating retail stores. The technology for Healthy Savings was developed by Solutran, Inc. a Minnesota technology company in the financial services industry.

Oak Knoll to Host Inaugural 5K Run/Walk to End Hunger", Sun Sailor, May 2016

Gabby Landsverk
Sun Sailor
May 13, 2016

“According to the book of Hebrews, we are called to ‘run with perseverance the race that is set before us,’” said Pastor Jay Rudi of Oak Knoll Lutheran Church. He decided to take that biblical message literally, organizing a 5K event to bring the community together while simultaneously raising money to benefit those in need.

“We wanted to be a catalyst help make that happen, because we’re part of the neighborhood,” Rudi said. “We wanted an event to coalesce around the idea that we’re a neighborhood, and how we can be bigger than ourselves.”
The church has been a presence in the community since 1932, Rudi said, and its community includes not just Minnetonka and Hopkins but parts of nearby Hopkins, Plymouth, Wayzata and Golden Valley.

Rudi, himself a runner – “More like a lumberer,” he joked – said he had the concept of a fun run fundraiser in mind for years.  “It’s been an idea of mine for a long time,” Rudi said. “It just all came together, thanks to people who were excited about it.”  After about 10 months of planning, the inaugural event, dubbed the OK 5K Run/Walk to End Hunger, is scheduled for Saturday, May 21.  Rudi said he hopes to have a few hundred people involved, but he’ll be happy just to reach triple-digits for this first event.

“Out of small things can come great things,” he said.  So far, a number of local businesses have signed on in support of the event, including: Center for Diagnostic Imaging; Little Newton; Kim McClean of Alerus Mortgage; Nutritional Weight and Wellness; Kaskaid Hospitality; CSM Corporation; and Gregg Roeglin of Edina Realty.  All of the proceeds from the event will benefit ICA Foodshelf, which offers food, financial and employment assistance to people in need throughout the west suburbs. Rudi hopes to raise at least $5,000.

“Hunger is kind of a hidden problem in this community, and ICA is out there trying to make a difference and help people get on their feet,” he said.  The event will be held May 21, starting at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of Oak Knoll Lutheran Church (600 Hopkins Crossroad, Minnetonka). The cost is $15 per youth and $20 per adult.  Rudi was quick to point out that, while the idea originated in the church community, the event itself isn’t faith-based and all are welcome.
“People can just show up, have fun and do some good,” Rudi said. “Ending hunger is something everyone can agree on.”

For more information or to get involved, visit OK5K.zapevent.com

"Powerful Advocate for Pets", Southwest Journal, April 2016

Nate Gotlieb
Soutwest Journal
April 6, 2016

People & Pets Together provides pet food, vaccinations and supplies to ensure pet owners can keep their pets through hard times

Minneapolis resident Darrell Scott walked 56 blocks to the People & Pets Together food shelf on a recent Saturday morning for specialty food for his cockatiel.

The self-described animal lover said the food helped him keep his bird fed when finances were tight. “It was a blessing they were able to have cockatiel food,” he said.

The Minneapolis nonprofit organization helps ensure that pet owners can receive those benefits through tough financial times.

People & Pets Together provides pet food, vaccinations and supplies at no cost to people who need the extra help caring for their pets.

This January, the organization opened the first pet food shelf in Minnesota, from which it distributes food and supplies to food shelves around the metro.

“People often feed their pets over themselves, and we want to make sure they’re not having to make that choice,” said Dr. Adam Bennett, a veterinarian and board member. “If you take care of the animals, you’re taking care of the people.”

People & Pets Together developed out of the passion of Kim Carrier, a pet lover who wanted to ensure people could keep their pets through hard times. In 2009, she began collecting pet food and donating it to people in need. Her efforts led to the creation of a nonprofit called the Pet Project. The organization collected about 25,000 pounds of food in its first five months and began hosting vaccination clinics and fundraising events.

This past summer, it changed its name to People & Pets Together and announced its intentions of opening the food shelf in Minneapolis.

“We found that having our own space really lent us a sense of legitimacy for potential donors,” Carrier said. “When you’re working out of homes and coffee shops with a P.O. Box for an address, people are hesitant to help fund the vision. It’s easy to drop off food donations, too, when you have a destination.”

The organization decided to open the food shelf in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood, an area Carrier described as a “food desert.” Carrier also operates a hair salon in the neighborhood.

People & Pets opened the space in January and has continued to distribute about 5,000 pounds of food per month to nine local food shelves. Program director Laura Atneosen said dozens of Powderhorn and Phillips neighborhood residents have signed up for monthly services since the opening. To qualify, clients must be accepting some kind of public assistance or make below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Once a month, they can pick up food, a treat, a toy and one additional item such as cat litter.

People & Pets also offers quarterly vaccination clinics and will help pay veterinarian bills in limited situations. The organization relies entirely on donations and volunteers for its supplies and distribution and has one part-time staffer in Atneosen.

About 400 families ask for pet food each month at ICA Food Shelf in Hopkins, according to associated director Jason Palm. People & Pets provides food to ICA, which Palm said is greatly appreciated.

“For a family that views their pet as a member of the family, that’s something they’re not going to give up,” he said. “We really value what they do.”

By the numbers

— 150:Number of people who volunteer with People
& Pets Together
— 5,000: Number of pounds of pet food the organization distributes each month on average
— 9: Twin Cities food shelves where People & Pets distributes food
— 23: Number of pets the organization vaccinated at one of its recent quarterly vaccination clinics
— 1: Number of food shelves  in Minnesota dedicated entirely toward pets

At a glance

Location: 3755 Bloomington Ave. S.
Contact: peopleandpetstogether@gmail.com, 612-722-9998
Website: peopleandpetstogether.org
Year Founded: 2009

What you can do:
Volunteer to help plan an event, write a grant, maintain the website or more.
Drop off pet food at the food shelf. People & Pets accepts donations from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Participate in the Fast and the Furry Races and Pet Expo on May 21 at Harriet Island in St. Paul.

About the Where We Live project:
This project is an ongoing series spearheaded by Journals’ publisher Janis Hall showcasing Minneapolis nonprofits doing important work in the community. The editorial team has selected organizations to spotlight. Nate Gotlieb is the writer for the project.

"Sizzle For a Cause", ICA Press Release, Feb 2016

ICA Press Release
February 9 ,2016

Minnetonka, Minnesota (February 9, 2016) – In the fourth annual Sizzle for a Cause, local chefs from five of the Lake Minnetonka area’s best restaurants will come together to battle it out in a Chopped-style cooking competition. The winner takes home bragging rights as well as the coveted Golden Cleaver. “The Sizzle for a Cause event brings the community together for great food, fun entertainment and a great cause. All proceeds go to ICA Food Shelf to help our community members in need.” - Peg Keenan, Executive Director of ICA Food Shelf

How does it work? Each chef will prepare a dish featuring a surprise secret ingredient, as well as pantry staples. Last year’s chefs were surprised with Spam. Who knows what this year’s surprise ingredient will be! Local celebrity judges include Paul Douglas, Meteorologist; Belinda Jensen, Meteorologist; and Ross Sveback, lifestyle expert. They will taste test each dish to determine which is best and crown the winner.

Restaurants for this year’s competition include two-time reigning champ Jake O’Connor’s, Cast & Cru, Coalition, Kowalski’s, and Spasso. Spectators will watch the action while enjoying appetizers from the participating restaurants. Dessert will also be provided, and a cash bar is available.

This year’s Presenting Sponsor is Kowalski’s and the event space was donated by Cast & Cru Restaurant at the Old Log Theatre. Gold sponsors are Synergy Products and Lux. “Supporting the community is important to us and we couldn’t be happier to host the 2016 event at Cast & Cru.” – Marissa Frankenfield, Owner of Cast & Cru and the Old Log Theatre

If you love great food, fun times, and your local community, you don’t want to miss this sizzling hot event! The showdown will take place the evening of Thursday, February 25, at Cast & Cru Restaurant at the Old Log Theatre in Excelsior. Purchase tickets at icasizzle2016.eventbrite.com.  Proceeds benefit ICA Food Shelf.

"Sizzle for a Cause", ICA Press Release, February 2016

Monika Salden
ICA Press Release
Febrary 9, 2016

Minnetonka, Minnesota (February 9, 2016) – In the fourth annual Sizzle for a Cause, local chefs from five of the Lake Minnetonka area’s best restaurants will come together to battle it out in a Chopped-style cooking competition. The winner takes home bragging rights as well as the coveted Golden Cleaver. “The Sizzle for a Cause event brings the community together for great food, fun entertainment and a great cause. All proceeds go to ICA Food Shelf to help our community members in need.” - Peg Keenan, Executive Director of ICA Food Shelf

How does it work? Each chef will prepare a dish featuring a surprise secret ingredient, as well as pantry staples. Last year’s chefs were surprised with Spam. Who knows what this year’s surprise ingredient will be! Local celebrity judges include Paul Douglas, Meteorologist; Belinda Jensen, Meteorologist; and Ross Sveback, lifestyle expert. They will taste test each dish to determine which is best and crown the winner. Restaurants for this year’s competition include two-time reigning champ Jake O’Connor’s, Cast & Cru, Coalition, Kowalski’s, and Spasso. Spectators will watch the action while enjoying appetizers from the participating restaurants. Dessert will also be provided, and a cash bar is available. This year’s Presenting Sponsor is Kowalski’s and the event space was donated by Cast & Cru Restaurant at the Old Log Theatre. Gold sponsors are Synergy Products and Lux. “Supporting the community is important to us and we couldn’t be happier to host the 2016 event at Cast & Cru.” – Marissa Frankenfield, Owner of Cast & Cru and the Old Log Theatre

If you love great food, fun times, and your local community, you don’t want to miss this sizzling hot event! The showdown will take place the evening of Thursday, February 25, at Cast & Cru Restaurant at the Old Log Theatre in Excelsior. Purchase tickets at icasizzle2016.eventbrite.com. Proceeds benefit ICA Food Shelf.

"Destitute in the Suburbs", Lakeshore Weekly News, December 2015

By Amanda Schwarze
Lakeshore Weekly News
December 23,2015

As members of a local church were participating in a sleepout to raise awareness of poverty in the area, an unexpected guest helped – a homeless man who was living in the truck he had parked in the church’s lot.

That man is not an anomaly in the western suburbs. There are high school students who don’t know where they will be spending the night, multiple families sharing small apartments, adults sleeping in cars and seniors depending on relatives for a home.  The homeless in the suburbs are all ages, come from all backgrounds and their numbers are growing.  “These are the people we see every day,” said LaDonna Hoy, executive director of Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) in Plymouth.

According to the IOCP, 55 percent of the Twin Cities’ poor population lives in the suburbs. Of the 2,033 families that IOCP served from April 1, 2014, through March 31, 2015, 285 were experiencing homelessness. That number is about three times higher than the number of homeless families they served the previous fiscal year. Then, the organization served 88 families who were experiencing homelessness.

Chris Anderson, director of community outreach for Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior, works with a group called West Ecumenical Service Team (WEST), which is made up of churches in and around Excelsior that help people who are experiencing poverty and homelessness. He said that in November, he knew of nine different homeless families in Excelsior.  “A lot of it is hidden,” said Jessie Billiet, a case manager at ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka.

The homeless in the suburbs are hidden because they are sleeping on the couch in the home of a relative or friend, or they might be living out of their vehicle. Others are forced to leave the community because of a lack of affordable housing and apartments that take renters with housing vouchers.  Housing is considered affordable, according to the Metropolitan Council, when a family with a moderate or low income pays no more than 30 percent to 40 percent of its monthly income for housing. Hoy said that even at the 30 percent level, many families are stretching their budgets to the limits. Among IOCP clients, she said, it’s not unusual for some to spend up to 70 percent of their income on housing.

Pat Gau, another ICA case manager, said landlords in Minnesota don’t have to accept housing vouchers. Over time, fewer have accepted them. Now there is less affordable housing than there was 20 years ago, said Mikkel Beckmen, director of the Minneapolis/Hennepin County Office to End Homelessness.  “The competition for housing is pretty fierce,” Beckmen said.

With so few buildings accepting tenants with vouchers, those that do are getting people from all over the metro. Anderson said that shelters in Minneapolis have sent people with no connection to this area to apartments in Excelsior. Their rent is paid for 90 days with the goal of allowing the tenants to take that time to find a job and get settled. Those people, however, have few possessions and likely no support systems in place. Recently, Anderson said, a man in that position showed up at the church who literally had nothing more than the clothes on his back. With no car, no computer and no knowledge of the area, it’s difficult for people to become financially stable within three months, he said.

Finding a job may not be enough for many homeless people. Hoy, Billiet and Gau said they frequently meet with people who are employed, but they’re working low-wage, part-time jobs with no benefits. Even when someone works several of those jobs, one problem can destroy their finances. A broken down car, an illness or anything that may mean missing a day of work or spending extra money could be disastrous.  “People are living on the the edge,” Hoy said. “They’re just hanging on.”

When someone seeks assistance from an organization like IOCP or ICA, they usually have one primary, urgent need, Hoy said, such as paying the rent, or paying for car repairs. Behind that primary need, are several factors that are leading to that problem, like a low-wage job, or child care needs that are too expensive.

While there are many factors that help lead people to poverty, Hoy, Billiet, Gau and Anderson agreed that transportation is an issue that needs to be addressed. The bus service in the area is limited and mainly focused on the typical commuter schedule. Even with that service, many people still need a car to get to work, job interviews, appointments or the grocery store.

Another issue closely tied to poverty in the area is education. Hoy said that the changing job market has left some people without the skills they need to make a living wage. Those who don’t have basic computer skills are already well behind the curve, she said.“Education is the surest way out of poverty,” Hoy said.

Among the people who know that best seem to be homeless youth.  “Ninety percent of homeless youth are still in school,” said Teens Alone Executive Director Lydia Kihm.  Estimates of the number homeless youth in the area differ. Pam Langseth, board member of Open Hands Foundation and a member of the Minnetonka School Board, said a study showed that there are about three to four homeless teens for every major high school in the area plus some homeless middle school students. Wayzata High School social worker Alec Albee said that number sounds accurate, but he said that most of the homeless students he works with are without a home for just a short period. He said he can count on one hand the number of students he sees in a year who are homeless for more than a few days.

Kihm estimates that number is higher; she said on any given day there are probably 30 homeless youth at the major west metro high schools. People tend to think the number is lower because many homeless students hide their situation for fear they will get in trouble, she said. Other homeless teens don’t think of themselves as homeless if they’re sleeping indoors, she said, even if they don’t know where they’ll be spending the night.  “Many of them are unseen,” Kihm said. “They’re couch hopping and going from place-to-place every night.”

Even with the chaos going on in their lives, most homeless teens have a strong desire to stay in their school and their communities, Langseth said. Open Hands Foundation is working with Westwood Community Church in Chanhassen and the Minneapolis organization The Bridge for Youth to open a shelter for young people who need emergency housing. The church donated a house in Chanhassen for the shelter that will have six beds. The Bridge for Youth will supply the professional staff at the house while Open Hands Foundation will cover the operating costs of the shelter, which are expected to be $550,000 per year.

The shelter is expected to open for overnight stays soon, but it is currently open during the day to help teens with counseling or to find other services they might need. The only other emergency shelter for youth in the west metro is the other Bridge for Youth site in Uptown, Langseth said. There the average stay is four nights, during which the teen receives a physical and mental health screening and counseling. The Chanhassen shelter will be run in the same way. The goal, Langseth said, is to reunite the teen with his or her family. If that’s not possible, the staff will find the young person other long-term housing.

The shelter is available to young people between the ages of 10 to 17. Teens Alone offers services to young people up to the age of 24 at its location in the Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins. There, they can find food, guidance with resumes and assistance finding other services that might be of help to them. The organization also runs the Suburban Host Home Program, where adults offer food and lodging for a homeless young person for up to nine months.

Regardless of the age of the people involved, poverty and homelessness are complex issues. The many organizations, churches and individuals working on the problem are seeing some results. Beckmen said thanks to local efforts and new federal programs, there are few homeless veterans left in the metro area. He estimated that housing will be found for the remaining veterans in the first half of 2016.

Locally, groups have created networks where someone seeking help can easily be directed to the services that will best fit them. The donations from residents have helped countless people by keeping them fed, helping them with rent and giving them assistance in their job search.

“This community is faithful, they have stuck with us,” Hoy said. “We are very, very fortunate to have people who know how to get things done here, and they have the heart and the will to help all kids and families have whatever they need.”

More help, however, will always be welcome, Anderson said.  “There will never be too much help with this,” he said.

"Working Poor: the Conspicuous Problem of Suburban Poverty", November 2015

ICA Foodshelf Video
Nov 17, 2015

ICA Food Shelf plays a vital role in our community by assisting our neighbors in crisis, with the most basic of needs: to nourish themselves and their families.+

"Celebration of Service", Minnetonka Schools, October 2015

Minnetonka Schools
October 27, 2015

Over 242 students, groups, alumni and adults spent over 46,000 hours serving local and global communities. On October 27, 2015 we celebrated this service. Minnetonka students knitted new born hats, volunteered for community theatre shows, lent a hand at the ICA food shelf, recycled bikes for needy children and so much more. Minnetonka students are passionate about service. For more information please visit http://www.tonkaserves.org

"Comcast Newsmakers", Comcast Twin Cities, October 2016

Kevyn Berger
Comcast Twin Cities
October 6, 2015

In the western suburbs around Minnetonka, Hopkins, and the Lake Area, ICA Food Shelf is there to help with emergency food services. Find out more about their role helping the hungry in the community on this segment of Comcast Newsmakers.

"Excelsior Apple Day", Sun Sailor,

Sun Sailor
September 23, 2015

Basement Kings plays at the Excelsior Apple Days on Sept. 19. (Sun Sailor photo by Paige Kieffer)

Over the weekend Excelsior celebrated Apple Days on Sept. 19. (Sun Sailor photo by Paige Kieffer)

Brian Peterson at the Sept. 19 Excelsior Apple Days car show. (Sun Sailor photo by Paige Kieffer)

Kids at Excelsior’s Apple Days on Sept. 19. (Sun Sailor photo by Paige Kieffer)

Ashton Voehl and Ellie Koch take caramel apple sundaes at the Avery’s Apples booth at the Sept. 19 Excelsior Apple Days. (Sun Sailor photo by Paige Kieffer)

The ICA Food Shelf sells slices of apple pie at the Excelsior Apple Days on Sept. 19. (Sun Sailor photo by Paige Kieffer)

Avery’s Apples at the Excelsior Apple Days on Sept. 19. (Sun Sailor photo by Paige Kieffer)

Kids dive into their apple pies at the Sept. 19 Excelsior Apple Day pie eating contest. (Photo by Sue Craig, suecraig.com)

Excelsior resident AndrewPunch won two awards for the Sept. 19 Apple Days baking contest. (Photo by Sue Craig, suecraig.com)