Judy Bickel, representing the Northfield Community Action Center (CAC) and Don Kimber were recognized and honored for their outstanding work in helping to reduce hunger in Northfield at the recent MN FoodShare Campaign celebration luncheon and awards ceremony hosted by the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. Mike Max from WCCO Radio presented Don’s award, and Sue Kainz, Minnesota FoodShare’s March Campaign coordinator presented the CAC’s award.

Having nominated Don for the award, Northfield Community Action Center (CAC) Program Director Judy Bickel explained, “Don is a World War II Merchant Marine veteran who has served his country and his home town all of his life in many different ways. The CAC is very fortunate that when Don retired in 2003 at age 75, he chose to become a weekly volunteer at the CAC Food Shelf. Everyone that has had the opportunity to work along side Don quickly realizes that he has a heart of gold and true compassion for every individual that comes to the CAC Food Shelf. In addition to helping distribute food and stock shelves every Tuesday, Don also picks up food donations from Target two or three times a week and often helps serve food at the CAC’s Thursday Table dining program. Don continues to say that he gets more out of helping others than he gives and his completely committed to helping feed our hungry friends and neighbors in the community. Don Kimber is a real life hero.”

Minnesota FoodShare announced that the 2009 March Campaign raised 12,020,197 pounds of food and dollars combined. “The results are especially exciting given our current economic climate,” said Sue Kainz, Minnesota FoodShare’s March Campaign coordinator. The March Campaign began in response to the tough economic times of the early 1980’s and it has continued to grow. As more Minnesotans turn to their local food shelves for support, more of their neighbors are giving what they can to help.”

The Northfield CAC was recognized at the awards ceremony for conducting the fourteenth most successful food drive in the state, raising over 130,000 dollars and pounds. Almost 300 food shelves in the state participated in the March FoodShare campaign. “I am thrilled with the response from our local community,” said Bickel. “Northfield is a compassionate community and people here seem to understand that there are people struggling to put food on their tables. More than four hundred households are receiving food at the CAC Food Shelf each month. The money raised during the March FoodShare Campaign enables the CAC to continue distributing a great array of nutritious food to those in need.”