MLHS Food Shelf Drive

by Mary Rains

The Mille Lacs Health System recently brought donations to the Food Shelves in Onamia, Isle, Garrison and Milaca, after completing a year-long Food Shelf Drive.

The employees of MLHS came together to donate a total of 4,398 pounds of food and $2,325 in cash donations for the area food shelves since last December. Also, $1,095 worth of coupons for food shelf recipients to use toward meat purchases was given.

This is the first time MLHS rallied employees for the three separate food drives held at the facility. Administrative Assistant and Food Shelf Drive Coordinator Betty Nohner said that with families struggling and high unemployment in the area, it was a good idea to give something back to the communities that MLHS serves. Nohner also noted that cash donations more than double the buying power for food shelves.

“The Food Shelf Team, along with team captains, the people who delivered, and of course the ‘givers’ − were all instrumental in bringing this about,” said Nohner.
CEO Bill Nelson is impressed that employees in every department showed compassion for others in our communities by donating food and cash. The facility used a competition to see which team could bring in the most. “During this holiday season, I’m very proud that our staff here can make a difference to families in need,” Nelson said.