Food drive profile: Donations help expectant mother
Your donations to The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive help Minnesotans like Kamouri, an expectant mother who is due to give birth any day. Donate now.
Kamouri has been unable to work during the final months of her pregnancy, leaving her partner as the sole breadwinner of their household. They live in Brooklyn Park with Kamouri’s 5-year-old son.
“It’s been hard to pay the essentials – like gas, trash and water bills,” Kamouri said. “You just got to hustle and keep going.”
Kamouri, 26, has been hustling for years. She has worked in the food service industry throughout her adult life, mostly for catering companies.
“During COVID I had to work (fast-food) for a while and earn below what I was used to,” Kamouri said. “Other than that, I haven’t job-hopped too much.”
She is back to being employed at a catering company and earning a good wage. But it will still be a while until she can go back to work after her maternity leave.
Until that day comes, your donations to The Salvation Army are putting food on Kamouri’s table. Her family is one of hundreds that come to the Brooklyn Park Salvation Army to receive meat, bread, fruit, vegetables, and more.
“I’m happy with whatever they give me, but the foods from the cold section help the most – butter, eggs, meat,” Kamouri said. “It helps a lot because the prices keep going up on everything.”
The Salvation Army can attest to that. During the past year, our food costs have more than doubled. This dramatic increase in food costs makes your donations to The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive even more important.
“Thank you to everyone for giving to The Salvation Army,” Kamouri said. “We really appreciate it – and so does my future baby.”
How to Help
Please support The Salvation Army’s Annual Food Drive by donating nonperishables, hosting a food drive, giving a cash donation, or volunteering. Your generosity will fill the stomachs of people and families hungry for help.
Donate food in the Twin Cities by dropping off nonperishable foods Feb. 29–March 28 at Blaze Credit Union locations, Morrie’s auto dealers, Slumberland Furniture, Schuler Shoes, or Salvation Army Store locations. (Download a grocery list of high-demand foods.)
You can also bring food to the KARE 11 news studio (8811 Olson Mem Hwy in Golden Valley) for a special weigh-in event on Thursday, March 28 from 12–6 p.m. Throughout March, KARE 11 personalities are gathering donations through their “Food Fight” food drive to support The Salvation Army.
Donate food in greater Minnesota by dropping off nonperishable foods Feb. 29–March 28 at your local Salvation Army Worship & Service Center.
Pop-up food collections will be held in the Twin Cities throughout March at the grocery store locations below. Stop by to donate food and receive free swag from participating partners.
- Thursday, March 21, 4:30–6:30 p.m., Cub in Oakdale. Minnesota Twins mascot TC Bear will appear 5:30–6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 26, 5–7 p.m., Lunds & Byerlys in Roseville
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.
Host a food drive: Collect nonperishable foods from friends, neighbors, coworkers, church members, and others. We will send you a Food Drive Starter Kit that includes tips and promotional materials for your website or social media. (Read about successful grassroots food drives from previous years.)
When you’ve finished your collection, bring your food to the KARE 11 news studio, 8811 Olson Mem Hwy in Golden Valley, for a special weigh-in event on Thursday, March 28 from 12–6 p.m.
Volunteer: Do you have time to spare? Support our food drive by helping us unload delivery vehicles, weigh food, stock shelves, and more. Sign up to volunteer now.
