Area Food Shelves Need Donations After Storm

Hundreds have used the CHUM food shelf. They need more donations to keep stocked.

With many Duluth residents having experienced some kind of power outage this past week, many local food shelves have seen a large increase in the number of people who need food.

CHUM normally serves around thirty-five families, but now has served the needs of nearly one hundred.

Area shelters do keep a stockpile of food on hand in case of emergencies, but those supplies are getting low.

Lydia Matthews is one of the many Duluth residents who has been using the food shelf at CHUM.

“You got to be humble to accept it or you will go hungry. A closed mouth, doesn’t get fed,” said Matthews.

The food shelf at CHUM has seen some empty shelves.

“We need food just as much as our clients. Our shelves are quickly being depleted,” said Scott Van Dale, director of distributive services.

Any family or single person household can come into CHUM, tell an interviewer their needs, and be given food based on a points system.

“Really I’m just thankful for them, there’s no shame here,” said Matthews.

The last big food drive brought in twenty-eight containers that hold around one thousand pounds of food.

“We are in the doldrums of summer and we’re going to need food as much as the next guy,” said Van Dale.

Now CHUM is down to their last five containers.

“I think it’s a lot bigger than everybody thinks,” said Van Dale.

Any donations help those like Lydia weather the storm.

“We will continue to give out food here until there’s not a morsel left in the pantry,” said Van Dale.