Vikings coach Mike Zimmer donates 10,000 cans of food
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer on Wednesday donated 10,000 cans of nonperishable foods through his foundation to support the Twin Cities Salvation Army’s goal of collecting 2 million pounds of food in March. (See photos.)
The cans of food were delivered in five zero-emissions cargo vans courtesy of Pritchard Companies.
Zimmer, Pritchard employees and Salvation Army staff unloaded the food onto several pallets that will be delivered to Salvation Army food shelves across the Twin Cities.
“My foundation always wants to help The Salvation Army,” said Zimmer, who for years has partnered with The Salvation Army to provide things like school supplies, Christmas gifts, and food for people in need. “A lot of people are struggling to just live … this is an opportunity to help people who really need it.”
The Salvation Army operates nine food shelves in the Twin Cities, all of which have been strained by skyrocketing demand. During the past year, The Salvation Army has provided an average of 7,600 meals per day locally, with many of our locations experiencing record-setting increases in need.
The Salvation Army’s goal to collect 2 million pounds of food – equal to about 50 semi-loads – would provide 1.2 million meals, ensuring that families continue to receive the food they need.
“We're optimistic that this community can [reach the goal],” said Lt. Col. Dan Jennings (pictured above), leader of The Salvation Army Northern Division. “And certainly with the help of the Zimmer Foundation and the Vikings [getting] the word out, it'll motivate people to be a part of this. We think we're going to achieve victory here.”
Get Involved
Please help The Salvation Army raise 2 million pounds of food by donating nonperishables, hosting a food drive, giving a cash donation, or volunteering.
Donate food: Drop off nonperishable foods at any SPIRE Credit Union, Morrie’s Auto Dealer, Cub grocery store, or Salvation Army Family Store location in the Twin Cities March 1-27.
Host a food drive: Collect nonperishable foods at your organization now through March 27. We will send you a Food Drive Starter Kit that includes promotional materials for you to print off or post on your website and social media. When you’ve finished your collection, bring your food to Salvation Army headquarters in Roseville on Saturday, March 27 for a special contactless, drive-thru weigh-in event. Sign up today at 2MillionPounds.org.
Give a cash donation: Help us feed hungry families by giving online at 2MillionPounds.org. Every $150 you give equals about 120 pounds of food.
Volunteer: Got extra time? Help us unload delivery vehicles, weigh food, stock shelves, and more. Sign up to volunteer now.
Video
Watch the video below for an inside look at what a typical day is like distributing food at the West 7th Salvation Army in St. Paul, one of nine food shelves operated by the Twin Cities Salvation Army.