by Cleo Cottrell

The Cook Community Food Shelf is alive and well! Soon it will be the Thanksgiving and Christmas season … ALREADY! This time of year generally brings more people to the food shelf. The numbers of those needing help may increase also, because of the government shutdown.

The food shelf is able to help families because of donations. Periodically, a grant is applied for and received, which is a big help! Various groups, churches, clubs and individuals donate, which is much appreciated. Locally, donations were down this past summer.

Donations of non-perishable items can be left at State Farm of Cook, Zup’s of Cook, and most area churches. Items which you use in your home are always needed. For instance: peanut butter, canned soups and stew, ketchup, jams and jellies, juice, cereal, pasta, cake mixes, canned fruits and vegetables, etc., etc. PLEASE NO OUTDATES! The food shelf cannot accept home-canned items. Milk and eggs are purchased monthly from Zup’s in Cook. If the food shelf is short on a needed item, that also is ordered from Zup’s. Matt Z. helps the food shelf in many ways!! Each month an order is placed to Second Harvest Northland in Duluth.

The Cook Food Shelf is located behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook. It is open the third Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please call 218-666-2715.