Only Hackensack sees huge increase
Written By:
Travis Grimler & Nancy Vogt | Staff Writers | 3:00 am, Mar. 3, 2021 ×
Pine River Area Food Shelf Coordinator Joanna Perry stands next to the protein selection at the food shelf Tuesday morning, March 2.Travis Grimler / Echo Journal
While 2020 was tumultuous for much of the world, locally an abundance of groups worked to keep people fed and, as a result, some food shelves saw fewer people requesting their services.
Area food shelf directors attribute that to more federal money available to people, COVID-19 relief checks distributed in 2020 and popup pantries occurring in the area.
“We were always ready. We just expected this great big turnout so we were always ready. But it just never happened,” said Doris Mezzenga, Crosslake Food Shelf director.
The newest restaurant in Lonsdale, Smoke, opened in September. Owner In May, Andrew Rasmussen said he was âhumbled and overwhelmed and shocked by the support the community has already given.â Heâs pictured outside the restaurant with his son, Rohen, wife, Lisa, and daughter, Valkyrie. (News file photo)