Local food shelves continue to fight hunger in OT County

Contributed photo
The Battle Lake Food Shelf is one of nine area food shelves that receive Friends-of-Friends funds.  Board members at a recent meeting include, from left, Gene Smith, Sharon Vipond, Debbie Ness, Pete Eggen, Claudia Loll, Pat Allmann, Gail Hustad, Duane Hovland and Jean Boyum. Not pictured, Rich Bullard, Carol Hepper and Patty Bullard.

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

In the fall of 2007 Otter Tail Lake neighbors having dinner together expressed concern about food insecurities throughout the county. They became part of a newly formed group to address their concerns, called Friends-of-Friends (FOF).

The year 2025 marks the 17th year for FOF, raising funds to fight hunger in the area. For the first 12 years, until the onset of covid, an annual fundraising event at Thumper Pond was held to address the county’s hunger needs. A partnership with the United Way of Otter Tail County was formed from the beginning to serve as a fiduciary for FOF.

During the covid years, in 2020 and 2021, the fundraising event was held virtually with on-line auctions. Today a successful cash-only approach allows for all donations to be fully directed to addressing food insecurities. Friends-of-Friends supports area food shelves and the Children’s Weekend Feeding Backpack Program. 

Over the years FOF has raised close to $1.2 million to combat the critical issue of family hunger. In December the organization kicked off its annual fundraising campaign for 2025. The campaign focuses on reaching out to individuals, organizations, churches and businesses to make cash donations.

Donations raised will be distributed in March 2025 to nine food shelves in Otter Tail County and the City of Wadena along with nine participating school districts for the Children’s Weekend Feeding Backpack Program. A check payable to Friends-of-Friends can be mailed to United Way, 120 E. Washington Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.

Non-taxable donations can also be made through the United Way website (UWOTW.org) and clicking on the “Donate” button. If you have questions call the United Way office at 218-736-5147.

Says Karalyn Harrington of Battle Lake, one of 12 current Friends-of-Friends committee members, “We invite past supporters and new contributors to consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our 2025 Friends-of-Friends campaign. Your dollars will help address the critical issue of family hunger in our area of west central Minnesota.”