Food drive profile: Donations help matriarch with 12 mouths to feed
Your donations to The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive in March help Minnesotans like Carolyn.
Every day is a battle for Carolyn, a 68-year-old matriarch from St. Paul who has 12 family members in her care:
- Four of her adult children, all of whom live with autism
- Four grandchildren who also live with autism
- Four great-grandchildren
“It’s challenging,” admitted Carolyn, who has lived in St. Paul since 1973. “But … as long as I have life and energy, I’m going to share it with others.”
If there’s one thing Carolyn has, it’s energy. She spent decades working nights in the healthcare industry while also caring for her children full-time, rarely sleeping more than four hours per night. But her motor has never quit.
“If I slept eight hours, people would probably think I was in a coma,” she said with a laugh.
She retired in 2022 and now spends every ounce of her time serving her family, with assistance from PCAs.
Through the years, Carolyn has counted on Salvation Army food programs to get her family through.
“I don’t do food stamps – I do the best I can without having to rely on the government,” she said. “Whenever times are really desperate, I know I can count on The Salvation Army for help. I appreciate them being here in my neighborhood.”
She receives food at the West 7th Salvation Army in St. Paul, one of 25 Salvation Army food pantries in Minnesota that – when combined with our local hot meal programs – provide an average of 8,100 daily meals for people like Carolyn.
Keeping these food programs fully stocked is critically important: About 1 in 5 Minnesota families now rely on food shelves to make ends meet, with annual statewide food shelf visits expected to exceed 7.5 million – the all-time record set in 2023.
You can help keep The Salvation Army’s food programs going strong by supporting The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive. Your generosity will be a blessing to thousands of Minnesotans like Carolyn.
“I’m thankful and grateful that we still have people in this world who are willing to help those who are in dire need,” Carolyn said. “I know we can’t save everybody at one time, but trust me – you’re saving 12 people right here.”
How to Help
Please support The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive by donating nonperishables, hosting a food drive, giving a cash donation, volunteering, or rounding up at Cub grocery stores. Your generosity will fill the stomachs of Minnesotans hungry for help.
Donate food in the Twin Cities by dropping off nonperishables such as pasta, peanut butter, and canned goods Feb. 28–March 22 at our Twin Cities partner locations below.
You can also bring food to the KARE 11 news studio, 8811 Olson Mem Hwy in Golden Valley, during a special weigh-in event on Wednesday, March 26 from 12–6 p.m. Throughout March, KARE 11 personalities will gather donations through their “Food Fight” food drive to support The Salvation Army.
Download a grocery list of high-demand and culturally-specific foods.
Donate food in greater Minnesota by dropping off nonperishable foods Feb. 28–March 31 at your local Salvation Army Worship & Service Center.
Donate online: Help us feed local families by giving online. Your donation will be used to purchase food for Salvation Army food pantries nearest to your billing ZIP code.
Round up at Cub: Shop at local Cub grocery stores in March and round your purchase up to support our food drive. Whether you give one penny or 99 cents, your small gift will have a big impact when combined with other Cub shoppers who choose to contribute.
Host a food drive: Collect nonperishable foods from friends, neighbors, coworkers, church members, and others. Drop off the food you collect at our partner locations or at KARE 11 (8811 Olson Mem Hwy, Golden Valley) during their special event on Wednesday, March 26, from 12–6 p.m. (Read about successful grassroots food drives from previous years.)
Volunteer: Do you have time to spare? Support our food drive by helping us unload delivery vehicles, weigh food, stock shelves, and more. Call our volunteer relations team at 651-746-3426 for details.