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We’re often confused with a food shelf, but did you know we’re the only “food bank” supporting agency and community partners (food shelves, on-site meal programs and tribal organizations) throughout NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin?

Our role in hunger-relief is to supply regional partners with donated and purchased food allowing them to feed families, children and seniors in your local community. Much of the food we rescue is donated by our nation’s food industry (manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and growers) who have surplus to share. Without us, it’s estimated that as much as 40% of the food produced in the U.S. would enter our nation’s waste stream.

If you’d like to learn more about our unique organization and impact throughout the Northland, you can join us for our upcoming “Behind the Scenes” Tours on Thursday, September 14 at 12 p.m. or Thursday, December 14 at 5:30 p.m. at our Duluth facility.  “I loved it,” shares volunteer Cindy who attended our tour. “It was fascinating to see where all the food comes from and where it goes. And that you save food from local restaurants.”

MEI Total Elevator Solutions has been with us through all of our “ups and downs” over the last seven years (no pun intended). In fact, they were one of the first corporate groups to roll up their sleeves and volunteer with us during the pandemic.

As MEI CEO, John Romnes, shares upon making their most recent generous financial contribution, “Our company continues to be blessed with growth and profitability and we feel fortunate to be able to share our ‘blessings’ with you. We hope this funding helps provide resources to continue your work and positively impact the people and the communities within your reach.”

And impact it has: Their total contributions have resulted in over 101,000 meals for families, children, and seniors throughout our NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin communities. We’re grateful for MEI and all of our corporate and business supporters who continue to impact our neighbors experiencing hunger each and every day.