Nourishing Meals and Encouragement Offered at the Redesigned Bowling Alley Turned Food Bank in Watonwan County
In the heart of Minnesota, food banks are shaking things up to cater to the growing needs of families during these trying times of pandemic and soaring inflation. For two years, trailblazers from the University of Minnesota's SNAP-Ed program and La Convivencia Hispana joined forces with a shared vision of a more dynamic and inclusive food bank in Watonwan County.
This collaboration serves as a shining example of how a community can band together to create innovative solutions, ensuring more families receive nourishment and welcoming environments for all.
Pandemic paves the way for food bank exploration
Watonwan County is home to the second-highest concentration of Latinx families in Minnesota, with manufacturing, particularly food processing, being the primary employment sector. The pandemic hit these food processing plant workers especially hard, as COVID-19 rapidly spread among the workforce.
As a result, many families who had not previously used food banks began to seek their services. These services were advertised in Spanish through a local emergency hotline for the first time, marking a significant step towards inclusivity.
Paving the path towards change
Even prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Watonwan County Food Bank was poised for change. Beth Labenz, a member of the SNAP-Ed program, joined the board early in the year and identified strategies to enhance accessibility. The 600-foot space presented challenges in refrigeration and storage of perishable items, while limited operating hours to only 6 hours per week made it difficult for working families to access services.
Labenz and other members of the Watonwan County Food Partnership, working alongside Head Start families, found creative solutions to distribute food through local school districts and eliminated referral systems. When the pandemic struck in March 2020, the food bank faced a wave of new challenges. Katherine Petty stepped up as director, a volunteer role, and teamed up with La Convivencia Hispana and Watonwan County Human Services to determine how best to serve families amid home deliveries and drive-thru distributions.
A fresh start in a new home
As more families began to participate in these programs, the food bank quickly ran out of space and storage. Petty and Labenz secured grants from the state of Minnesota, the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), and Hunger Solutions to purchase a new space and equipment.
After going through four bids, the Watonwan County Food Bank finally closed on a new location: the former bowling alley in St. James. Labenz describes the new 6,000 square foot space, filled with vibrant colors and an abundance of fresh produce, as being affectionately known around town as the "free grocery store." Extended hours, interpretation services, and shopping carts have contributed to a surge in participation from local families.
Julieta Vargas, a community organizer with La Convivencia Hispana, shares, "The community now knows how to access the food bank and feels welcome while shopping for food due to our collective efforts."
In April 2022, the food bank became a certified SuperShelf. As food banks across Minnesota continue to navigate the aftermath of the pandemic and the impact of inflation, Watonwan County stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing the power of community-led change.
*Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education
Sarah Jackson, University of Minnesota news media manager, 612-875-7814, [email protected]
Featured newsFamily
- The collaboration between the University of Minnesota's SNAP-Ed program and La Convivencia Hispana has led to an innovative approach in the realm of health-and-wellness and nutrition, as they strive to create a more dynamic and inclusive food bank that also covers lifestyle aspects.
- In the home-and-garden sector, the Watonwan County Food Bank's new location, the former bowling alley in St. James, has been transformed into a vibrant, 6,000 square foot "free grocery store", providing fresher food options and extended hours for local families.
- The scientific knowledge and strategies employed by trailblazers from the SNAP-Ed program and other community members have helped food banks, such as the one in Watonwan County, adapt to the changing needs of families, ensuring better access to food and drink resources during the pandemic and beyond.
