Since 1976, the Walker Area Food Shelf has been a cornerstone of hope in our region. As I reflect on the past year, I am moved by the incredible dedication of our community. In 2025, we saw our neighbors’ needs grow, but we also saw your generosity rise to meet it. Serving 14,186 individuals this year wasn’t just about moving pounds of food, it was about providing a sense of security to families during uncertain times.

For many of our community members—men and women, young and old—the means of covering their medical expenses, insurance fees, and ever increasing costs of taxes, inflation, food and utilities leave them making hard, bitter decisions.  Theirs are not choices between the 9-iron and the pitching wedge, the 12 or 20 gauge, the latest e-bike or mountain bike, but rather decisions about who they will have to apologize to for missing their payment, the food not bought to save for some medicine, the obvious physical ailment that they let linger and worsen because they cannot afford to fix it, or how often they go hungry so their kids may eat.

I could tell you of all the families we’ve served this year 4,150 or the increasing numbers of individuals 14,186 from Bemidji to Wadena, Park Rapids to Federal Dam/Remer and every nook and cranny in between, but such numbers never really move the human heart. One needs to see, to feel the need to understand and do something about it.

No longer can we avert our eyes or our hearts when we see the downtrodden amongst us, whether at the latest high school game or the city park, the gas station or the library. They are grandparents, veterans, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends and neighbors, each with a story. They are living reminders that we are, all of us, one ill turn from being in their shoes.

Thanks to your generous contributions, the Walker Area Food Shelf continues with its mission to make sure that no one in our community goes to bed tonight facing hunger. We truly appreciate everything you do for us.

Andrew Soleta

P.S. Don’t miss the Chili Cook-Off on Saturday March 7^th at the Walker Area Community Center, 11 am – 1 pm.

During March all donations received are matched, increasing your impact!