Kitchen Table Food Shelf of Western Community Action
Western Community Action is committed to eliminating poverty by empowering families and building responsive communities in Southwest MN. Our Kitchen Table Food Shelves fall in to our Basic Needs Strategy of our Strategic Plan, E.P.I.C. (Eliminating Poverty by Involving the Community).
Description:
The Kitchen Table Food Shelves are comprised of two locations; The Marshall, MN location (formerly Marshall Food Shelf) was taken under the management of Western Community Action staff and volunteers in 1998. The food shelf was an essential part of the Marshall community for many years before it joined WCA. The second location, in Tracy, MN, was taken under the management of Western Community Action in January 2006.
By providing food assistance to these participating individuals and families, it is the goal of the Kitchen Table Food Shelf to help free up some of the household’s income. This provides some relief, so the participants might better afford other essential items, whether it is rent, utilities, clothing, daycare, medical bills, transportation costs, etc. This is a preventative effort to keep participants from being homeless or on the verge of homelessness. The staff and volunteers of the Kitchen Table Food Shelf also make every effort to assist these individuals and families by referring them to other programs of WCA or external agencies and organizations to give them a well-rounded “hand up.”
The Kitchen Table Food Shelves provide quality, nutritious food and personal care items to households in need. This program has been established to meet some of the basic needs in our communities and is a part of Western Community Action’s strategic plan to provide opportunities for people to meet their basic needs.
History:
Western Community Action (WCA) is a private, non-profit agency with 501 (C) (3) status. WCA is not part of the local, state, or federal government; its employees are not government employees. The agency applies to federal and state organizations to obtain funding to meet locally determined community needs and complies with all local, state, and federal laws, codes, and regulations. The agency is governed by a Board of Directors, one-third who are low-income individuals.
In 1964, Community Action agencies were created across the USA as a part of the “War on Poverty” declared by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Western Community Action began in 1965 with two staff members and a commitment to fight the causes and consequences of poverty. As a private, non-profit agency that covers five counties in Southwest Minnesota, Western Community Action has grown to employ over 100 staff members, circulating over $7 million back into the economy, and leveraging thousands of hours of volunteer time. We serve low-income families and our communities through programs such as Head Start, Community Development, Transportation, Community and Family Support, Food Shelves, Big Buddies, and many more. With our revisited focus of eliminating poverty, Western Community Action has taken its current programs and “tweaked” them, so high impact results for families can happen. In other words, we no longer want to place the “band aid” on the situation, but instead empower families to strive for self-sufficiency.
The mission of WCA is to strengthen families, build community and eliminate poverty so all have the opportunity to live with dignity - Helping People, Changing Lives, and Eliminating Poverty. Through our Eliminating Poverty by Involving Community (EPIC) strategic plan, the following goals have been established:
• Inspire, educate and engage communities to develop innovative plans that build partnerships and resources guaranteeing everyone’s basic needs are met.
• Develop a critical mass of leaders inspired to end poverty.
• Build and maintain supportive relationships across socioeconomic, race and cultural lines to end poverty.
• Build and maintain community capacity so every child grows up prepared to reach their full potential.
• Become an inspiring and innovative agency focused on high impact strategies leading the community in eliminating poverty.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (507) 537-1849
Address:
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400 W. Main Street, Suite 201Marshall, MN 56258(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.wcainc.org
Directions:
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Western Community Action is located in Marshall, MN on the corner of 4th Street and Main Street. Our offices are located there, directly above Wells Fargo Bank. |
| Last updated on October 8, 2009 |
