GRAND FORKS — The local coalition to end homelessness will host several activities during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 17-23.
The events will include a focus on raising funds to support the New Start Nook Program. The nook is a closet in the Love in Action headquarters, at 8l8 University Ave., where people who are exiting homelessness can obtain new household items.
Members of a local Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week committee, representing nonprofit organizations and social service providers, have organized other activities in the past to support one-time efforts, but this year the committee has decided “to fundraise to build something sustainable,” said Roberta Hassett, a committee member.
During Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Brandon Bochenski will read a proclamation for awareness week. Sue Shirek, executive director of the Northlands Rescue Mission, will be speaking.
Mandy Burbank, public health dietitian with Grand Forks Public Health, will introduce a three-minute professional video that highlights the experiences of those living with hunger and homelessness here. The video, “Hunger is Here,” by Logan Hjelseth of Ranch Media, was funded by a grant that Grand Forks Public Health and Blue Zone Project received.
The video “turned out really well,” said Burbank, a member of the Greater Grand Forks Food Security Committee. “It’s very impactful.”
“We’re very excited about putting a local spin on hunger,” she said. Her committee is focused on “what can we do to make sure our neighbors are fed.”
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Premiere HHAW Luncheon is set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Empire Arts Center. It will feature speakers and door prizes; food will be catered by Olive Garden. The video will be shown. Luncheon tickets, $40, may be purchased on Facebook and on the website
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567818542520
.
Several restaurants are planning to support this fundraising effort by contributing a portion of sales during certain business hours. They include: Pizza Ranch, Monday, 5-9 p.m.; Panera, Thursday, 4-8 p.m., use code FUND4U at checkout; and Deek’s Pizza, Nov. 27, all day, using the code NSN for New Start Nook.
According to information provided by CANA, Northlands Rescue Mission has seen a 22% increase in hot meals served and a 30% increase in the total nights of shelter in 2024 compared to 2023.
Spectra Health has reported that about one-third of patients screened at its clinic have indicated that they have been unable to get food when they really needed it at least once in the last year, and that more than 200 food boxes have been provided to patients who screen positive for food insecurity during an appointment.
The Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Committee is a sub-committee of CANA, Hassett said. CANA membership consists mostly of nonprofit organizations, social service agencies and entities focused on behavioral health.
A Grand Forks and East Grand Forks coalition, CANA exists “to advocate for ending homelessness through community awareness, outreach, prevention and civic engagement” in Greater Grand Forks, according to its mission statement.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation to end hunger and homelessness locally can go online to
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567818542520
.
For more information, send an email to
ggfcana@gmail.com
.