The building for St. Paul Park Friends in Need Food Shelf is all paid for.
Located at 535 4th Street in St. Paul Park and serving a core area including Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, and Grey Cloud, Friends In Need saw visitors from Marathon Petroleum Refinery Thursday, come to present a $98,750 check for the last payment on the building’s mortgage, accepted on behalf of the pantry by Executive Director Jill Hughes and Assistant Director Crystal Schneider.
“Coming here today, we just wanted to acknowledge the fact that we would not be here without the refinery and the fact that the refinery is now making their final payment of their commitment,” Executive Director Hughes shared Thursday. “Our building will be eight years old and fully paid for, which is unbelievable to us.”
Originally housed in an old VFW shack (on refinery property) that the city didn’t have records for, Friends in Need moved to its new home almost 10 years ago. Refinery general manager Holly Jackson shared how the partnership had begun.
“Again, I want to thank everyone for being here today and help us support our favorite neighbor, Friends in Need Food Shelf,” she said. Going on to call the day “special,” Jackson went into a brief history of how everything started.
“It all started in 2015 with a land donation for $1, and then the $250,000 payment in support of the annual mortgage payment. We’ve continued to cover those payments since then, plus adding in an additional $20,000 per year to cover utilities.” All told the refinery’s support through the years has totaled over one million dollars, Jackson said.
“The amount that we have put into Friends of Need truly underscores the vitality of your mission, and our commitment to the community,” she said.
Although its core service area consists of St. Paul Park, Newport, Cottage Grove, and Grey Cloud, the Food Shelf does not turn people away.
Those in need of the Food Shelf can shop by appointment, gathering different items according to a numbered color system that ensures the shelves stay stocked for others in need, while ethnic foods are including in what the food shelf offers as well.
Towards the back of the Food Shelf’s public area is a warehouse, standing by in case shelves need to be restocked.
When all was said and done at the final payment celebration Thursday, meanwhile, refinery staff including Jackson stayed around, helping out with tasks like cleaning carts and windows as well as packing bags, all necessary tasks to keep things running smooth well into the future.
Readers can find out more about the St. Paul Park Food Shelf by going to finfood.org, with appointments made by calling 651-458-0730, either on Mondays between 12 p.m .and 3 p.m. or on Tuesday mornings after 7:30 a.m.
Food Shelf service hours are on Tuesdays from 8 a.m .to 4 p.m, as well as Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Appointments are required.