Cathy Maes of the ICA

Our Speaker on November 17th was Cathy Maes, the director of ICA Food Shelf located in Minnetonka Mills. ICA is our local food shelf, and was founded and is supported by 37 church congregations. The area that ICA covers is from Hopkins to Victoria. With a paid staff of 7, and 40 volunteers each day, they provide support to 600 families in the area each month. In addition to providing food, they also help with monthly expenses for some clients, and issue checks totaling $40,000 monthly for electric, gas, and water bills, as well as some rent subsidies. Because of the economy, their client base has increased by almost 50%. In addition to the support they receive from the churches, Cathy made note of the help and support received from individuals and service groups. She mentioned Glenn Froberg's work as a long-term volunteer in their facility, and the fund raising efforts of Woody Love, as well as the Tour de Tonka done by MCE and originated by Tim Litfin. Our two Rotary Clubs are strong supporters and funders for ICA as well as Maynard's Restaurant, which turns over a day's proceeds to them every year. In addition to money, their organization needs volunteers to help them move the 88,000 pounds of food monthly from supplier to needy families. Since January 1 of this year, there are 500 new families that have signed up as clients. Because of time restrictions on their use permit at their location at St David's main campus in Minnetonka Mills, the ICA can only serve clients from 9 to 5 on weekdays. Those who are working at those hours have been out of luck. Cathy told us that ICA is opening a branch office in Eisenhower School (on Highway 7 in Hopkins) to serve clients on Saturdays and Tuesday nights. With the statement that "Hunger knows no Season", Cathy ended her presentation. (Story by Tad Shaw)