Project of the Year: Food Share

Food Share volunteer Andi Lennartson (center) coordinating grocery bag assembly at Scout Workshop.

​In 2018, LHENA began issuing neighborhood awards at its annual meeting to recognize the good work and dedicated individuals in our community. Wedge neighbors submit nominations to the board of directors for final the vote. Our 2020-21 Project of the Year is the LHENA Food Share program. 

The LHENA Food Share program was created by Wedge resident Joan Moser in spring of 2020, at the onset of the covid-19 pandemic. The idea was simple: wanting to ensure that no neighbor needs to make the choice between paying rent and eating in these difficult times. The program is now operated by 75 neighbor-volunteers, and offers free groceries twice a month to anyone in the Wedge who needs it. This means one bag of fresh fruit/vegetables and one bag of pantry items. To date, over 120 households have been served. Over $10,000 was raised by 65 generous donors to keep the program serving our community through 2021. 

What neighbors had to say about Food Share:

The way it has grown into such a huge service is amazing, with so many volunteers coming together and so many neighbors receiving low-cost quality food!

It is an incredible project, reaching so many neighbors with an essential need! The incredibly organized way it has unfolded is simply astounding - volunteers in all kinds of categories and capacities that fit each person's skills/abilities - and the feeling of coming together to accomplish something truly meaningful, each of us doing a small (and for some people, like our neighbor of the year, not-so-small!) part, is incredible.

A tip of the hat to all of the the incredible neighbor-volunteers who run this vital program to support their fellow Wedge neighbors.

​How to Help Out
Most volunteer activities are two hours or less, on a Friday or Saturday. We need helpers for assembly, distribution, deliveries, and making cookies. If you have time and would like to help, contact Joan Moser at joan@thewedge.org. 

Receiving Groceries
Reserve your groceries up to the Friday before. Reserve by emailing Foodshare@thewedge.org or calling 612-807-9080. If you can’t pick up your groceries we can deliver. We can also accommodate gluten free, diary free, vegetarian, and vegan – let us know yours dietary needs when you reserve.