PRISM asks for post-holiday donations

PRISM, which is based in Golden Valley, reaches families all over the metro and beyond. PRISM notably helped residents from Minneapolis, New Hope, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Saint Paul and St. Louis Park last year.

The PRISM Marketplace Foodshelf is busier than ever. Almost 26,000 individuals visited last year, and over half were first-time visitors. Statewide, food shelf visits have continually increased as well. In 2024, there were about 9 million visits, an increase from the 7.5 million trips in 2023.

PRISM has applied to get some of the $5 million Gov. Tim Walz is putting towards food insecurity. This money will come from the remaining flexible American Rescue Plan Act.

But at this time, the food shelf is quite low on food.

“What we really need right now are food donations for a variety of reasons,” Ness said. “The cost of food, the limited availability at food banks, increased community need, and logistical things.”

One logistical problem is when holidays prevent deliveries from Second Harvest, the organization where PRISM sources most of its food. Jan. 20, there was no delivery on account of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. While the food shelf was glad to celebrate the day, Ness noted, “hunger doesn’t take a holiday.”

“Our delivery day is Monday and if that happens to be a holiday, when they are closed, we are not able to get food,” Ness said. “We know this in advance and try to order extra, but our space is limited, and we inevitably feel the impact of not having 40,000 to 60,000 lbs of food for the week.”

The best items to donate at this time are staples like canned tuna, salmon, chicken, sardines, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, flour, sugar, oil, spices, soups, baking mixes and oatmeal.

Food donations can help cushion the blow from this loss as well as add variety to the shelves.

“Our donation bins are empty now, but 100-150 families continue to seek assistance daily,” Ness said.

Looking ahead, the organization’s major fundraising event, Taste of the ‘Burbs will be in May. Before that, the food shelf will be part of Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign. Learn more at prismmpls.org.