General Organization FAQ’s
How does the Emergency Foodshelf Network (EFN) reduce hunger?
EFN provides literally millions of pounds of food each year to local and out-state Minnesota hunger relief programs. Think of us as the “nonprofit grocery depot” for area foodshelves, on-site meal programs, subsidized housing facilities, food distribution sites, and other programs that directly work with/provide food to those who face hunger. Over 95% of the nonperishable, perishable, and prepared foods that EFN provides its member programs is certified as quality and nutritious and reflects our aim to help provide a well-balanced diet to those in need.
Your organization’s tagline is “Minnesota’s Free Food Bank.” Are there other food banks in Minnesota that charge a fee in order to receive food to feed hungry people?
Yes. Most food banks throughout the nation charge various fees (of up to $0.17/pound) to hunger relief agencies to access food that is donated by the community at large. The Emergency Foodshelf Network (EFN) has a different operating philosophy than other food banks when it comes to collecting, warehousing, and distributing community food to its member foodshelves: We never charge a fee for donated product. In our 30 years of service to the community, “free means free” when it comes to hunger relief organizations receiving your donation.
What are EFN’s guiding principles?
For over 30 years, EFN’s service to the Minnesota community has been guided by three main principles: Quality, Value, and Efficiency.
Our commitment to Quality begins with our desire to “put those facing hunger first.” We want people to feel positive about their experience when they visit a hunger relief program in our network. We certify that 95% of the food we provide to our network is quality and nutritious because we believe that food should be a “hand-up” and not just a “hand-out.”
Value is what being a member of EFN is all about! We provide between $5-10 million in benefits and savings to our member agencies annually and it starts with our guarantee that food donated by the community will always be available to them for free/no cost.
Efficiency means that we are relentless in our pursuit to make our programs and operations as effective as possible and minimize any cost burden for our members. By spending 92 cents of every dollar we raise directly on our programs, we show that hungry people really do come first here at EFN.
How does EFN collect and distribute millions of pounds of food to its network of hunger relief agencies without charging them a fee?
It’s very simple – we choose to absorb the very real costs of collecting and distributing food to ensure that foodshelves able to maximize the impact of their limited dollars. We strongly believe that because agencies have such limited resources, we will do everything possible to save them time and money. While it costs EFN to perform such services, we see it as our role to coordinate opportunities, cost savings, and other efficiencies so that agencies have more time and money to thoroughly serve their clients.
Is EFN part of America’s Second Harvest?
EFN is independent of the Second Harvest chain of food banks. This independence creates opportunities for us to distribute community food donations for free to agencies. Additionally, EFN is not limited to a geographical service boundary so are able to serve the hunger relief community statewide.
Is the Emergency Foodshelf Network a food bank? What are the main differences between and foodshelf and a food bank?
Yes, EFN is a food bank. Food banks are larger organizations that purchase or secure food and essential support services on behalf of foodshelves (and other hunger relief organizations and programs) so that they can serve more efficiently. Foodshelves, on the other hand, provide food and other essential support services directly to those facing hunger on an on-going or year-round basis.
EFN is not a food shelf because we do not serve clients*. We are a food bank that was actually created by area foodshelves to ensure that all member agencies had enough food at all times to serve clients. The EFN food bank provides not only traditional food-banking services (such as the collection/distribution of donated product; bulk-purchasing and cooperative buying opportunities), but also customized support services such as infrastructure, equipment, and technology.
*Twice during the winter holidays, EFN distributes free holiday meal baskets through its Baskets of Hope program to people facing hunger.
I have been seeing EFN’s Give Food Give Hope promotion in metro-area Rainbow grocery stores. What is it? How can I participate?
The Give Food Give Hope campaign is the in-store promotional partnership of EFN and Rainbow Foods grocery stores. It is an opportunity for anyone shopping at Rainbow to make a donation of staple grocery items to help reduce hunger in the community. These items, which come in either a $5 or $10 pre-assembled bag, are then distributed to foodshelves that sign up to receive the food who are located in the same neighborhood as the Rainbow store.
Is EFN a statewide organization? Does it have a central warehouse or hub for its operations?
Yes, EFN is a statewide organization! Over the last 30 years, we have grown from just serving emergency foodshelves in Hennepin County to providing an entire family of emergency and supplemental food programs to nearly half the counties in all of Minnesota! Our central warehouse is a 65,000-sqaure foot facility located in New Hope, Minnesota. From this hub, we coordinate both our administrative and transportation operations.
Fundraising FAQ’s
I am trying to choose a new local charity to support this year. How does my donation “go further” with the Emergency Foodshelf Network?
There are a tremendous number of nonprofits doing excellent work that would be worthy and honored to have your donation. We think the Emergency Foodshelf Network organization allows our donors to feel like they are part of an organized, grassroots campaign to provide the basic resource of food and help reduce the struggle that so many individuals and families face in our community. When you contribute to EFN, you become part of our family of programs; making it possible for us to distribute food and support services for free to those in need. To view a descriptive list of EFN’s Family of Programs, click here.
Should I donate money or food when considering a contribution to EFN?
Food contributions are a significant source of donations to our food bank. Staple items of nonperishable goods make it possible for our agencies to keep their doors open. When you donate food to EFN, either as an individual or part of a food & cash drive event, we will give it to foodshelves for free. Financial contributions allow us to purchase hard-to-get and culturally specific foods that are always in high demand. With every dollar donated to EFN, we can purchase $4 worth of food effectively multiplying the impact of your gift. Whether you decide to donate food, cash, or both to EFN, your donation goes further with us.
Where does The Emergency Foodshelf Network get their funding?
While the organization enjoys well-rounded support from foundations, organizations, businesses, the United Way and Hennepin County, we are privileged to say that a majority of our funding comes from individuals.
What percentage of my financial contribution is spent directly on EFN programs? In 2006, EFN spent 92 cents of every dollar raised directly on its programs that feed hungry people.
I was sitting in traffic the other day and noticed EFN’s truck with a picture of little girl named “Maria”. Who is she? How can I, or my place of business, help support your efforts?
Maria is a young toddler whose parents are both employed but do not make enough money to afford both food and utilities each month. She is one of tens of thousands of children who make regular visits (with their parents or guardians) to foodshelves and other hunger relief programs. You can make a difference in the lives of children like Maria by making a financial contribution and asking your business to match the gift, by holding a food & cash drive at work or place of worship, or even by volunteering at our food bank warehouse to help sort and package food for distribution!
My friends and I would like to get involved and do more for hunger relief! Can EFN help us organize something at our workplace, school, place of worship or community center?
That’s music to our ears – we love to see people in the community get excited to help others! We have a Food & Cash Drive Program here at EFN that is designed to help local organizations get involved in hunger relief. We work with you from start to finish, helping you coordinate the dates of your drive, identify what your specific equipment and marketing material needs, and helping to create some creative opportunities for maximizing interest and participation! Call us at 763-450-3867 to learn more!
I have been supporting EFN for years but want to get more involved in helping to tell “The EFN Story” in the community. What can I do to raise awareness and more support from the community for the EFN mission?
We are looking for individuals to help us with the speaking requests we receive from organizations, businesses, and community groups about the importance of hunger relief in our community. As a donor, you are a wonderful resource and advocate for our important mission and programs and can speak first-hand about your satisfaction in supporting “Minnesota’s Free Food Bank.”
Will my business match my gift to EFN?
Most likely. Our recommendation would be to contact your accounting department and ask about this. EFN is a United Way-supported agency and your business may match anywhere from 50%-200% of your gift… so it’s definitely worth researching!
How do I make a contribution of stock to EFN? Does EFN accept other forms of financial gifts besides cash, checks, and credit cards?
To make a donation of securities (such as stock or mutual funds), please call EFN’s Development Office at 763-450-3870. You will be provided with all of our account information, including DTC number, to make a swift transaction. EFN can also work with you and your financial institution to set up a regularly scheduled deduction from your checking or savings account. This is an effortless way to maintain your commitment to supporting hunger relief. Our organization is also the beneficiary of a number of trusts and estates. If you or your family is interested in planned giving matters, please call our Development Office at 763-450-3870.
Programs FAQ’s
I read in one of your fundraising letters that EFN has a “family of programs.” Does EFN serve more than just foodshelves?
EFN not only serves foodshelves, but also on-site meal programs (where people can go to get a hot prepared meal), subsidized housing units (where seniors and others who may have mobility or disability issues reside), host sites (community organizations that open at various times during the month to distribute nutritious food staples), and other hunger relief organizations!
How is EFN’s Bulk-Purchasing Program different than the free food you give to your member agencies?
Sometimes, the amount (and types) of food that is donated doesn’t cover all of the food groups. In order to help our members provide a well-balanced, healthy selection of food to clients, and offer it at lower prices, we created a Bulk-Purchasing Program. Made up of a list of 70+ items that include nutritious food staples, culturally specific items, and hygiene products, Bulk-Purchasing Program foods are available to agencies at below retail prices. (EFN both purchases foods at below retail and pass on the savings to members or purchases very hard-to-get items at retail and discounts them for agencies.) In short, EFN doesn’t make a margin or profit on the sales of any of these items.
The All Seasons Food Rescue (ASFR) program, Fare For All (FFA) program and the EFN Mobile Foodshelf are described as “supplemental food programs.” What does this mean?
Foodshelves are designed and equipped to help someone only once a month in a time of emergency need. The amount of food that they will receive will last only 3-4 days. EFN wanted to create programs and partnerships that addressed what happened during the other 25-27 days of the month when someone facing hunger needed help. These programs aim to “supplement” the amount of food that is available in a time of need.
How can volunteers assist in the daily operations of EFN’s programs? Is EFN’s warehouse able to accommodate larger volunteer groups?
Volunteer are a vital part of EFN’s daily operations! In 2006, we had a record 172,000 hours of hours of service logged with our organization! From sorting and packaging food, to assembling donor letters, to helping plan our special events, volunteers make it possible for us to achieve our mission. Our 65,000 square foot facility is spacious enough to hold very large groups and allow them to work as a team on a variety of jobs.
What benefits and services does EFN provide its member agencies?
In addition to free and subsidized food, EFN provides millions of dollars worth of savings each year to its network in the form of transportation/delivery services, technology support, in-kind & non-food donations, and volunteer support.
Does EFN make a profit off its participating agencies?
No. EFN membership is free and EFN does not make a profit off its participating agencies.
I saw EFN’s “Baskets of Hope” program on a local television station during the Holidays. What does this program do?
Baskets of Hope is a holiday program that distributes holiday meal baskets to thousands of local individuals and families facing hunger during Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. Each basket is filled the traditional foods of the season and is distributed to people at no charge. The FOX 9 KMSP and My 29 WFTC news organization served as the program’s media sponsor in 2006 helping to bring a high level of awareness and exposure to the program and EFN.
How do EFN’s family of programs address and reduce the growing hunger trends being seen in our suburban neighborhoods?
The suburban foodshelves that are seeing some of the highest increases in foodshelf visits (such as Minnetonka and Eden Prairie) are members of EFN. We have been able to successfully expand the amount of food we provide these shelves to help them during this time. Our supplemental food programs have also been a convenient resource for suburban residents to access food.
What is the EFN “Mobile Foodshelf?”
EFN delivers quality, nutritious food staples to low-income housing complexes made up of a majority of senior citizens. Due to a variety of barriers that the residents face in accessing food resources on their own, the EFN Mobile Foodshelf brings it to them and works hand-in-hand in training volunteers to distribute food to residents.
Transportation FAQ’s
How many grocery bags of food can one EFN truck deliver to those in need of food?
Approximately 20,000 pounds of food (or roughly 4,000 grocery bags)
How does EFN safely rescue, warehouse, and redistribute perishable and prepared foods?
EFN uses refrigerated trucks to safely transport perishable and prepared food. All foods are properly packaged and sealed to prevent spoilage and ensure the cold chain remains intact from the time we rescue it from the donor to the time it is delivered to the hunger relief agency.
Do you have a question that was not answered? Maybe it isn’t a frequent question, or maybe we need you to ask it. Send us your questions.