ST. PETER, Minn. (KEYC) – Each month through October, the St. Peter Area Food Shelf is set up at First Lutheran Church to distribute fresh vegetables to those in need.

The vegetables come from Second Harvest Heartland, which partners with the food bank to distribute the produce to the community.

The food distribution center said that more than 140 families came by on Wednesday and collected food for more than 600 people.

Organizers of the event said events like this are crucial to addressing food shortages and making healthy alternatives affordable.

“Healthy foods like fruits and vegetables are not cheap and often not easy to come by. While we receive many wonderful donations from the community, it is never quite enough to feed everyone,” says food bank coordinator Jodi Marie Donley.

The drive takes place every second Wednesday of the month and there are no requirements for picking up food from the drive.

People can pick up food for themselves or their neighbors without providing personal information or registering.

The organizers thanked their team of volunteers for ensuring that everything went smoothly, whether it was packing the food or loading the packages into the vehicles.

“The volunteers we have every year for this event are the people themselves. The heart of the community, everyone comes every year, donates their time and energy to help. They make sure the people of this city have good, healthy food tonight,” Donley said.

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