In a solid move to aid locals affected by the federal government shutdown, the City of Woodbury has opened its coffers — to the tune of $10,000 — in support of Open Cupboard, a community food shelf grappling with a surge in demand. The donation was funded through the Lawful Gambling Contribution Fund, drawing upon Minnesota Statutes that allow for such community-focused disbursements.
The financial boost is a timely intervention as Open Cupboard has seen a 10–15% uptick in assistance requests, tied directly to slashes in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the shutdown. With this fresh injection of funds, the food shelf is better equipped to efficiently tackle the pressing hunger needs among residents. As detailed in a post on the official City of Woodbury’s website, the move by the City Council aims to quickly respond to the community’s escalating food security concerns.
But the city isn’t just stopping at a financial donation; they’re actively taking steps to further strengthen this effort. A community food drive is set to kick off on November 10, inviting locals to contribute nonperishable food items and essentials through December 5. Donation bins will be strategically placed at easy-to-access city landmarks, including Woodbury City Hall and the M Health Fairview Sports Center, to facilitate generous contributions from the community’s residents…