MINNEAPOLIS (March 12, 2022) — Many food shelves in the Twin Cities are in areas with the highest concentrations of immigrants, yet the bulk of food donated are foods associated with the white population. According to The Food Group, one of the main barriers for using food shelves among people who seek support is inaccessibility to familiar foods they know how to cook.
“Food is one of the many ways we celebrate cultures and traditions,” said John Wilgers, President & CEO of Greater Twin Cities United Way. “Through our ‘Flavors of Our Community’ program, we are asking volunteers to donate food that reflects the diversity of our Twin Cities region.” The program runs until April 9.
Greater Twin Cities United Way worked with three of its nonprofit partners that offer food shelf services – CAPI, CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio), and NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center – to develop seven “Flavors of Our Community Packs”. The packs contain items essential to the cultures each food shelf serves, including Southeast Asian, Afghan and Latinx communities.
To participate select a food pack, purchase the items, assemble and drop them off at the listed locations.
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Interview and photo opportunities are available with leaders from Greater Twin Cities United Way and its nonprofit food partners.
About Greater Twin Cities United Way: Greater Twin Cities United Way unites changemakers, advocates for social good and develops solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone to create a community where all people thrive, regardless of income, race or place. The organization serves the community through five key offerings: its 211 resource helpline, innovation initiatives, nonprofit partnerships, advocacy work with legislators, and business and individual donor partnerships. For more information, visit www.gtcuw.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
