Profiles of 2007 Winners
Duane R. Lund Award for Lifetime Achievement
Rose Edin
Symbolic of Rose's achievements during her life time are the many significant awards she has received. Here is a sampling: Distinguished alumni award - North Park University Artists of Minnesota - First Place Award Art Instruction Schools: First Place Award, International Competition-Professional Transparent Water Color Society of America - Past President’s Award Masters Status in TWSA (paintings accepted for national show for 10 years) Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society - two annual award winners Sarasota Art Center - spring show 2006 - second place Venice, Florida Art Center - spring show 2006 - Best of Show Award And this is just a partial listing. Rose also holds a Masters Status in the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and the National Watercolor Society.
Rose Edin is not only a distinguished artist, but she is also a celebrated author on watercolor painting. The books she has written (as author or participating author) have sold over a half million copies. They have been sold world-wide and published in several different languages, including Russian. Rose’s books are published by Walter Foster Publications and include: “Watercolor Workshop I” “Watercolor Workshop II” “Scenes Around the World” “The Art of Watercolor” (participating author) She is co-author of a new book (with Dee Jepsen) entitled “Color Harmonies Sing with Light.” Rose has taught in seven to ten art workshops a year over the past 30 years - all over this country and in several foreign countries.
Since 1982, Rose and her husband, Stan, have led tours of foreign countries which include an opportunity for participants to experience her teaching on the subject of watercolor painting. Those not interested in painting may enjoy Stan’s workshops on photography. Their company is called “Art Adventures.” Countries visited include, Russia, Sweden, Norway, England, Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Zambia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Japan and China and this fall: Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Rose Edin is interested in much more than art. For example, for over twenty years she has been a member of “Women of the Hemisphere,” an organization founded by Ambassador Holly Coors to build bridges with the women of Central America.
Rose has also been a very active citizen of the Staples – Motley area. She taught art in the schools of these communities from 1965 to 1976 and credits this experience as “the training ground of what was to become a lifetime of teaching art.” She also served as Youth Director of the Thomastown Covenant Church for 18 years.
Rose hasn’t always been the teacher. She has also been the student, including a BA Degree from North Park University in Chicago and graduate work at Colorado State University and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Rose was nominated by Judy Jenkins.
Symbolic of Rose's achievements during her life time are the many significant awards she has received. Here is a sampling: Distinguished alumni award - North Park University Artists of Minnesota - First Place Award Art Instruction Schools: First Place Award, International Competition-Professional Transparent Water Color Society of America - Past President’s Award Masters Status in TWSA (paintings accepted for national show for 10 years) Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society - two annual award winners Sarasota Art Center - spring show 2006 - second place Venice, Florida Art Center - spring show 2006 - Best of Show Award And this is just a partial listing. Rose also holds a Masters Status in the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and the National Watercolor Society.
Rose Edin is not only a distinguished artist, but she is also a celebrated author on watercolor painting. The books she has written (as author or participating author) have sold over a half million copies. They have been sold world-wide and published in several different languages, including Russian. Rose’s books are published by Walter Foster Publications and include: “Watercolor Workshop I” “Watercolor Workshop II” “Scenes Around the World” “The Art of Watercolor” (participating author) She is co-author of a new book (with Dee Jepsen) entitled “Color Harmonies Sing with Light.” Rose has taught in seven to ten art workshops a year over the past 30 years - all over this country and in several foreign countries.
Since 1982, Rose and her husband, Stan, have led tours of foreign countries which include an opportunity for participants to experience her teaching on the subject of watercolor painting. Those not interested in painting may enjoy Stan’s workshops on photography. Their company is called “Art Adventures.” Countries visited include, Russia, Sweden, Norway, England, Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Zambia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Japan and China and this fall: Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Rose Edin is interested in much more than art. For example, for over twenty years she has been a member of “Women of the Hemisphere,” an organization founded by Ambassador Holly Coors to build bridges with the women of Central America.
Rose has also been a very active citizen of the Staples – Motley area. She taught art in the schools of these communities from 1965 to 1976 and credits this experience as “the training ground of what was to become a lifetime of teaching art.” She also served as Youth Director of the Thomastown Covenant Church for 18 years.
Rose hasn’t always been the teacher. She has also been the student, including a BA Degree from North Park University in Chicago and graduate work at Colorado State University and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Rose was nominated by Judy Jenkins.
Citizen of the Year
Pam Collins
"I will serve" and become part of the solution
If you’ve just met Pam Collins, you’d never know that she has been a
Staples resident for only eight years. Given her contributions to the
community, you might also be surprised that she says that Staples is the first
home where she has become involved in the community.
It all began in August of 1999 when she moved here and thought her life had
ended . . . Pam was born and raised in the Chicago area and she was not excited
about small town life.
It was a rough first year, as her husband of 30 years, Robin, will attest.
“Pam was pretty miserable when she first came to Staples. She was forced to move
from the first home we’d ever owned and we became empty nesters all in one fell
swoop. And then there was the whole “small town” thing. To us, Moorhead was a
small town. But the following summer when I decided to audition for a part in
the community theatre production of Oliver she came along and decided to
audition herself. That’s when she began to make community connections.”
Robin is the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Staples and it was
here that Pam learned that a group of high school students looking to open a
coffee shop were in need of an adult leader. She and the students met weekly
for a year to look at equipment, write a business plan and search for a
location.
The coffee shop opened in May of 2003 and is a community gathering
place. Pam, the smiling, upbeat barista, greets people and, on any given day,
you can find them singing and playing on open mic night, doing homework,
surfing the internet, putting puzzles together, watching or participating in
comedy shows, sitting and knitting, participating in world events discussions
or listening to a spirited reading (by Pam) of a children’s book for Saturday
morning Story Hour. Every week Pam donates at least 10 to 15 hours of her time
because she is committed to the success of the shop.
Besides her work at the Stomping Grounds, Pam has been in productions
and a board member for Lamplighter Community Theatre. She is also on the
Staples Motley Area Arts Council. She is an accomplished artist who shares her
time and talent with schools.
Pam says she came to the realization that it takes a lot of people for a
community to survive and she didn’t feel she could just sit and do nothing -
she wanted to be part of the solution. She was involved in the Blandin
Community Leadership Program earlier this year where it became evident to her
how important it is to work together.
Pam finds it extremely humbling to be honored as Citizen of the Year.
That the work she considers to be “average” or “normal” is found by others to
be signifi cant or making a difference is beyond words. She acknowledges that
she loves to think of the difference in herself from when she fi rst moved to
Staples. Others have noticed too. Pam’s husband Robin tells of the best quote
he heard concerning Pam from someone else.
“Stan Carlson said that when he first met Pam doing Oliver, she had that
‘deer in the headlight’ look in her eyes, and that he is amazed at how much she
has grown, blossomed and adapted in the years that have followed,” Robin says.
“At this point I’d say that she has truly ‘bloomed where she’s been
planted’.”
If she could give any advice to others who have an interest in serving
their community but don’t really know how, Pam says she would tell them to find
something you love (art, music, cleaning up the town, etc.) and say, “ ‘Here I
am - I will serve.’ If everyone just said ‘yes’ once, it would be a lighter
load.”
Pam says she is living her best life. She has never been so involved in
her community as she has with Staples, and it is “home.” The only way life
could be better is if Staples was a little closer to Chicago, so her daughter
Megan could come home easily for Sunday dinner.
Pam was nominated by Kathy Odden.
"I will serve" and become part of the solution
If you’ve just met Pam Collins, you’d never know that she has been a
Staples resident for only eight years. Given her contributions to the
community, you might also be surprised that she says that Staples is the first
home where she has become involved in the community.
It all began in August of 1999 when she moved here and thought her life had
ended . . . Pam was born and raised in the Chicago area and she was not excited
about small town life.
It was a rough first year, as her husband of 30 years, Robin, will attest.
“Pam was pretty miserable when she first came to Staples. She was forced to move
from the first home we’d ever owned and we became empty nesters all in one fell
swoop. And then there was the whole “small town” thing. To us, Moorhead was a
small town. But the following summer when I decided to audition for a part in
the community theatre production of Oliver she came along and decided to
audition herself. That’s when she began to make community connections.”
Robin is the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Staples and it was
here that Pam learned that a group of high school students looking to open a
coffee shop were in need of an adult leader. She and the students met weekly
for a year to look at equipment, write a business plan and search for a
location.
The coffee shop opened in May of 2003 and is a community gathering
place. Pam, the smiling, upbeat barista, greets people and, on any given day,
you can find them singing and playing on open mic night, doing homework,
surfing the internet, putting puzzles together, watching or participating in
comedy shows, sitting and knitting, participating in world events discussions
or listening to a spirited reading (by Pam) of a children’s book for Saturday
morning Story Hour. Every week Pam donates at least 10 to 15 hours of her time
because she is committed to the success of the shop.
Besides her work at the Stomping Grounds, Pam has been in productions
and a board member for Lamplighter Community Theatre. She is also on the
Staples Motley Area Arts Council. She is an accomplished artist who shares her
time and talent with schools.
Pam says she came to the realization that it takes a lot of people for a
community to survive and she didn’t feel she could just sit and do nothing -
she wanted to be part of the solution. She was involved in the Blandin
Community Leadership Program earlier this year where it became evident to her
how important it is to work together.
Pam finds it extremely humbling to be honored as Citizen of the Year.
That the work she considers to be “average” or “normal” is found by others to
be signifi cant or making a difference is beyond words. She acknowledges that
she loves to think of the difference in herself from when she fi rst moved to
Staples. Others have noticed too. Pam’s husband Robin tells of the best quote
he heard concerning Pam from someone else.
“Stan Carlson said that when he first met Pam doing Oliver, she had that
‘deer in the headlight’ look in her eyes, and that he is amazed at how much she
has grown, blossomed and adapted in the years that have followed,” Robin says.
“At this point I’d say that she has truly ‘bloomed where she’s been
planted’.”
If she could give any advice to others who have an interest in serving
their community but don’t really know how, Pam says she would tell them to find
something you love (art, music, cleaning up the town, etc.) and say, “ ‘Here I
am - I will serve.’ If everyone just said ‘yes’ once, it would be a lighter
load.”
Pam says she is living her best life. She has never been so involved in
her community as she has with Staples, and it is “home.” The only way life
could be better is if Staples was a little closer to Chicago, so her daughter
Megan could come home easily for Sunday dinner.
Pam was nominated by Kathy Odden.
Youth of the Year
Becki Iverson
One
person can make a difference
Becki Iverson has learned early that one person can make a
difference in her community, reminding us not to underestimate the energizing
power and fresh insight of youth.
Rebekah “Becki” Iverson, daughter of Jeff and Kathy
Iverson, is a 2007 graduate of Staples Motley High School. She is a freshman at
Augsburg College in Minneapolis.
Becki was elected to the National Honor Society, earned
the title of class co-valedictorian and was an honor graduate. Not only did she
excel in the classroom, but she also participated in our community through
numerous extra-curricular activities, notably swimming, speech, drama, music
and newspaper reporting.
One former instructor writes: “I appreciate Becki’s
positive attitude in class and her ability to appreciate the contributions of
all students. She is a superlative young person who makes valuable
contributions to the community through being just who she is and how she is
seen by her peers, friends and neighbors. Becki is seen as a role model, and
she is very conscious of her responsibility to be a person of
integrity.”
Becki forges connections with others. She was a vital part
of different student organizations, such as Student Council, the Spanish Club
and Youth As Resources. She has demonstrated leadership and compassion in her
involvement with church activities at the Staples Church of Christ. In
addition, she has been very insightful, conscientious and proactive in her work
at the Staples Dollar Store, as well as in serving as an intern for the Staples
World.
In addition to being seen as a student advocate, Becki
is also known for her contagious passion for music. She excelled in the
fi ne arts and was a student leader in Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Orchestra,
Bell Choir and A Cappella choir, in addition to holding lead roles in the
musical and Madrigal Dinner.
She was often the empowering breath behind movement in
different high school musical groups, although she would like to give that
credit to her parents or Steve Hoemberg – one of her most influential
instructors “for sometimes being pushy.”
One of her most rewarding experiences was in the 2006-07
Minnesota All-State Band, where she was able to work with other students who
shared her zeal and energy for creating powerfully moving music. She realized
that “even high school students can sound like a professional
orchestra!”
Although her own humility will not allow her to admit it,
her involvement in our community has made a difference. Anyone who knows Becki
will admit that her enthusiasm and drive are contagious and inspirational. She
is known for her organizational efforts and has single-handedly gotten groups
moving through personal contacts and enthusiastic suggestions.
Here’s one small illustration - Becki was instrumental
in establishing a Wednesday afternoon study group at the Stomping Grounds
coffee shop which continued to meet over the summer. Even though it started out
as students meeting to help one another with homework, it allowed for the
establishment of strong relationships and became something the participants
looked forward to week after week.
Becki was nominated by Tom Crawford, Patrick Held, James
Hofer, Michelle Jeziorski, Tracey Kloeckl-Jiménez, Don Sanda, Oliane
Sharpe-Anderson and Ron Storbakken.
One
person can make a difference
Becki Iverson has learned early that one person can make a
difference in her community, reminding us not to underestimate the energizing
power and fresh insight of youth.
Rebekah “Becki” Iverson, daughter of Jeff and Kathy
Iverson, is a 2007 graduate of Staples Motley High School. She is a freshman at
Augsburg College in Minneapolis.
Becki was elected to the National Honor Society, earned
the title of class co-valedictorian and was an honor graduate. Not only did she
excel in the classroom, but she also participated in our community through
numerous extra-curricular activities, notably swimming, speech, drama, music
and newspaper reporting.
One former instructor writes: “I appreciate Becki’s
positive attitude in class and her ability to appreciate the contributions of
all students. She is a superlative young person who makes valuable
contributions to the community through being just who she is and how she is
seen by her peers, friends and neighbors. Becki is seen as a role model, and
she is very conscious of her responsibility to be a person of
integrity.”
Becki forges connections with others. She was a vital part
of different student organizations, such as Student Council, the Spanish Club
and Youth As Resources. She has demonstrated leadership and compassion in her
involvement with church activities at the Staples Church of Christ. In
addition, she has been very insightful, conscientious and proactive in her work
at the Staples Dollar Store, as well as in serving as an intern for the Staples
World.
In addition to being seen as a student advocate, Becki
is also known for her contagious passion for music. She excelled in the
fi ne arts and was a student leader in Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Orchestra,
Bell Choir and A Cappella choir, in addition to holding lead roles in the
musical and Madrigal Dinner.
She was often the empowering breath behind movement in
different high school musical groups, although she would like to give that
credit to her parents or Steve Hoemberg – one of her most influential
instructors “for sometimes being pushy.”
One of her most rewarding experiences was in the 2006-07
Minnesota All-State Band, where she was able to work with other students who
shared her zeal and energy for creating powerfully moving music. She realized
that “even high school students can sound like a professional
orchestra!”
Although her own humility will not allow her to admit it,
her involvement in our community has made a difference. Anyone who knows Becki
will admit that her enthusiasm and drive are contagious and inspirational. She
is known for her organizational efforts and has single-handedly gotten groups
moving through personal contacts and enthusiastic suggestions.
Here’s one small illustration - Becki was instrumental
in establishing a Wednesday afternoon study group at the Stomping Grounds
coffee shop which continued to meet over the summer. Even though it started out
as students meeting to help one another with homework, it allowed for the
establishment of strong relationships and became something the participants
looked forward to week after week.
Becki was nominated by Tom Crawford, Patrick Held, James
Hofer, Michelle Jeziorski, Tracey Kloeckl-Jiménez, Don Sanda, Oliane
Sharpe-Anderson and Ron Storbakken.
Chairman's Award
Kevin Olsen
‘No questions asked’
Kevin Olsen shows by example how a wide variety of interests can develop
into talents that enrich a community. He’s been active in sports as player and
coach; in fine arts including singing and theater; in his teaching by his
professional committee work and by providing opportunities for students.
Kevin was involved in a number of very diverse activities during his
Staples High School years. He participated in cross-country, football,
wrestling, track, choir, speech, theater, National Honor Society and student
government - serving as both class and student council president.
Kevin cites being a member of Don Dravis’ wrestling program for six years
with helping him learn determination and motivation. Lanetta Engel and Lucille
Miller encouraged him in speech and theater and Stan Carlson got him on stage
in several musicals, including a role as Alfred P. Doolittle in “My Fair
Lady.”
He graduated from Staples High School in 1973 and from the University
of Minnesota Duluth in 1979. He met his future wife Penny through their work in
a campus service fraternity. They were married in 1980 and have four children -
Matt, a senior at UMD; Jordan, a junior at UND; Chris, a freshman at UMD; and
daughter Hallie, a freshman at Staples Motley High School.
Kevin began his teaching career as a long term substitute in Staples in
1979. In 1980 he accepted a regular position, teaching physical science. He has
continued his commitment to community service. Kevin has had a life long
interest in medicine and has worked as an EMT for Staples Ambulance Service
since 1980.
He has been very active in the Staples Area Men’s Chorus since 1980
serving as president, as part of the board of directors and frequently as
program emcee. Kevin has been very busy with the Lamplighter Community
Theatre, performing on stage in just about every production since 1995. If he
has not been on stage, he will frequently be found directing or behind the
scenes working on sets. Kevin and Gloria Palmer have encouraged and directed
hundreds of middle school students in annual musicals and plays since
1995.
Kevin has also been a leader in the classroom, serving as teacher and team
leader at Motley Staples Middle School. He has been instrumental in a wide
variety of instructional and organizational models while working at the middle
school. He has also coached in the wrestling and football programs for many
years. In 1991, Kevin’s peers selected him as Staples Motley Teacher of the
Year.
Kevin credits his mother with teaching him to “accept everyone for who
and what they are” and for encouraging him to “help others - no questions
asked.” He still feels best about himself when he is helping others.
Kevin was nominated by Gail Honek.
‘No questions asked’
Kevin Olsen shows by example how a wide variety of interests can develop
into talents that enrich a community. He’s been active in sports as player and
coach; in fine arts including singing and theater; in his teaching by his
professional committee work and by providing opportunities for students.
Kevin was involved in a number of very diverse activities during his
Staples High School years. He participated in cross-country, football,
wrestling, track, choir, speech, theater, National Honor Society and student
government - serving as both class and student council president.
Kevin cites being a member of Don Dravis’ wrestling program for six years
with helping him learn determination and motivation. Lanetta Engel and Lucille
Miller encouraged him in speech and theater and Stan Carlson got him on stage
in several musicals, including a role as Alfred P. Doolittle in “My Fair
Lady.”
He graduated from Staples High School in 1973 and from the University
of Minnesota Duluth in 1979. He met his future wife Penny through their work in
a campus service fraternity. They were married in 1980 and have four children -
Matt, a senior at UMD; Jordan, a junior at UND; Chris, a freshman at UMD; and
daughter Hallie, a freshman at Staples Motley High School.
Kevin began his teaching career as a long term substitute in Staples in
1979. In 1980 he accepted a regular position, teaching physical science. He has
continued his commitment to community service. Kevin has had a life long
interest in medicine and has worked as an EMT for Staples Ambulance Service
since 1980.
He has been very active in the Staples Area Men’s Chorus since 1980
serving as president, as part of the board of directors and frequently as
program emcee. Kevin has been very busy with the Lamplighter Community
Theatre, performing on stage in just about every production since 1995. If he
has not been on stage, he will frequently be found directing or behind the
scenes working on sets. Kevin and Gloria Palmer have encouraged and directed
hundreds of middle school students in annual musicals and plays since
1995.
Kevin has also been a leader in the classroom, serving as teacher and team
leader at Motley Staples Middle School. He has been instrumental in a wide
variety of instructional and organizational models while working at the middle
school. He has also coached in the wrestling and football programs for many
years. In 1991, Kevin’s peers selected him as Staples Motley Teacher of the
Year.
Kevin credits his mother with teaching him to “accept everyone for who
and what they are” and for encouraging him to “help others - no questions
asked.” He still feels best about himself when he is helping others.
Kevin was nominated by Gail Honek.
Organization of the Year
Staples Area Food Shelf
Putting food on empty tables for 25 years To assist with putting food on a family’s empty table is certainly one of mankind’s highest callings. To hear the excitement in a child’s voice say, “Mommy this means we can have turkey at Christmas!” can bring a tear to most people’s eyes. This is exactly what the Staples Area Food Shelf is able to do two days a week from 1-3 p.m. all year long. They are also open the last Thursday of the month from 6-8 p.m.
The Food Shelf was started in 1982 with the support and encouragement of Lutheran minister, Dick Vangerud, according to one of the original directors, Doreen Scott. At that time the Food Shelf was open once a month and provided food and clothes. If assistance was needed for more than three months, clients were obligated to meet with a clergy person before continuing to receive assistance. In the beginning the budget was limited, funded mostly by churches, and staffed with 7-8 volunteers. Currently Fran Mertens has a crew of eight to ten volunteers who focus on unloading food from the Second Harvest truck and then stocking shelves. Food shelves can buy non-perishable items from Second Harvest at a large discount, making monetary donations to the Food Shelf stretch even further. Food Shelf vouchers are used in local grocery stores for items like milk and cereal; often a discount voucher is used at Christmas and Thanksgiving for turkeys. Perishable groceries and basic items not available from Second Harvest are obtained from Ernie’s Food Market and Helling’s Food Pride on a rotating basis. The Food Shelf currently serves, on average of 90-100 families and distributes approximately 5,500 lbs. of food each month. The pounds of food distributed per family are determined based on family size with food coming from various categories such as cereals, rice, jams and canned goods. Participants choose items for their families within each group of foods.
Harriet Dent, one of the volunteer coordinators of the food shelf, uses 23 volunteers who register the clients and assist the families in packing their items.
One group the Food Shelf is reaching out to in its current programming is senior citizens in the hopes that more people in this group whom are eligible will choose to benefit from the Food Shelf’s services. The food shelf receives support and direction from a board of directors. Pastor Steve Sveom has been chairman for the past twelve years. Fellow board members are Fran Mertens, Doreen Scott, Harriet Dent, Carol Weber, Glynn Kaste and Myra King.
March is a big month for the food shelf. Second Harvest allocates an additional percentage compared to what is taken in during this month. Special efforts are made by churches and other groups like the Boy Scouts to seek additional donations during this month.
The food shelf occasionally is called to provide food for family emergencies when circumstances do not allow for a Monday or Tuesday resolution. The responsibility for this decision rests with director Fran Mertens or Steve Sveom as board chairman. They often hear of families in need from a variety of concerned people, from the police, public library and from citizens wanting people to be helped. This type of contact is most appreciated and useful.
The Community Foundation is very proud to honor the Staples Area Food Shelf and its almost 40 volunteers who work so hard to provide food to people who need assistance. Most importantly is the unselfishness of the endeavor. There is no charge for the assistance, no requirements to join, no obligation on the part of the client’s to fulfill. The food is provided based only upon need. The Food Shelf is run by volunteers and both those who donate and those who volunteer give without strings attached. For someone in need of food, what a wonderful gift.
The Food Shelf was nominated by LaVonne Selleck.
Putting food on empty tables for 25 years To assist with putting food on a family’s empty table is certainly one of mankind’s highest callings. To hear the excitement in a child’s voice say, “Mommy this means we can have turkey at Christmas!” can bring a tear to most people’s eyes. This is exactly what the Staples Area Food Shelf is able to do two days a week from 1-3 p.m. all year long. They are also open the last Thursday of the month from 6-8 p.m.
The Food Shelf was started in 1982 with the support and encouragement of Lutheran minister, Dick Vangerud, according to one of the original directors, Doreen Scott. At that time the Food Shelf was open once a month and provided food and clothes. If assistance was needed for more than three months, clients were obligated to meet with a clergy person before continuing to receive assistance. In the beginning the budget was limited, funded mostly by churches, and staffed with 7-8 volunteers. Currently Fran Mertens has a crew of eight to ten volunteers who focus on unloading food from the Second Harvest truck and then stocking shelves. Food shelves can buy non-perishable items from Second Harvest at a large discount, making monetary donations to the Food Shelf stretch even further. Food Shelf vouchers are used in local grocery stores for items like milk and cereal; often a discount voucher is used at Christmas and Thanksgiving for turkeys. Perishable groceries and basic items not available from Second Harvest are obtained from Ernie’s Food Market and Helling’s Food Pride on a rotating basis. The Food Shelf currently serves, on average of 90-100 families and distributes approximately 5,500 lbs. of food each month. The pounds of food distributed per family are determined based on family size with food coming from various categories such as cereals, rice, jams and canned goods. Participants choose items for their families within each group of foods.
Harriet Dent, one of the volunteer coordinators of the food shelf, uses 23 volunteers who register the clients and assist the families in packing their items.
One group the Food Shelf is reaching out to in its current programming is senior citizens in the hopes that more people in this group whom are eligible will choose to benefit from the Food Shelf’s services. The food shelf receives support and direction from a board of directors. Pastor Steve Sveom has been chairman for the past twelve years. Fellow board members are Fran Mertens, Doreen Scott, Harriet Dent, Carol Weber, Glynn Kaste and Myra King.
March is a big month for the food shelf. Second Harvest allocates an additional percentage compared to what is taken in during this month. Special efforts are made by churches and other groups like the Boy Scouts to seek additional donations during this month.
The food shelf occasionally is called to provide food for family emergencies when circumstances do not allow for a Monday or Tuesday resolution. The responsibility for this decision rests with director Fran Mertens or Steve Sveom as board chairman. They often hear of families in need from a variety of concerned people, from the police, public library and from citizens wanting people to be helped. This type of contact is most appreciated and useful.
The Community Foundation is very proud to honor the Staples Area Food Shelf and its almost 40 volunteers who work so hard to provide food to people who need assistance. Most importantly is the unselfishness of the endeavor. There is no charge for the assistance, no requirements to join, no obligation on the part of the client’s to fulfill. The food is provided based only upon need. The Food Shelf is run by volunteers and both those who donate and those who volunteer give without strings attached. For someone in need of food, what a wonderful gift.
The Food Shelf was nominated by LaVonne Selleck.
