FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

PROCTOR - Last week's flooding left many in the Northland fighting endless amounts of water from reaching their homes and businesses.

In Proctor, not even the local food shelf could catch a break.

"This one was overwhelming. I know that Scott had come down here and we talked about what was in here and he said that everything had toppled over and was floating around on the floors and it was a mess to say the least," said Dan Rohweder, who helps run the Proctor Food Shelf.

Scott Schneider, a board member for the food shelf said, "You couldn't even see the basement area. The door was almost under water so we knew at that time that it was going to be a total loss."

By the time Rohweder and Schneider were able to reach the food shelf; the nearby creek had consumed the basement building, and in the process, destroyed 8,000 pounds of food.

"All the shelves were turned over, everything was floating at that point and you couldn't come in. You got as far as the door," said Schneider.

The food shelf attempted to save some of the canned food, but mold and bacteria had already taken its course.

Three freezers and two refrigerators, while working, were also deemed a total loss.

"Some of the food was frozen again inside but you can't trust any of that, everything's got to go which is disappointing," said Rohweder.

The Proctor Food Shelf served 63 families, a total of 211 people in the month of May, and now those people will have to look elsewhere until a suitable replacement is found.

Rohweder said, "We're researching maybe one of the churches, the city of Proctor recently purchased the Proctor Fairgrounds, we may find a spot up there. We're not sure what yet, but we're going to try and get up and running as quick as we can."

Those families who need assistance can receive food at two locations: The Hermantown Area Food Shelf and Our Savior's Lutheran Church in West Duluth.

An account has also been set up at the Proctor Federal Credit Union for donations.