Early this spring, the Minnetonka Rotary Foundation invited ICA Food Shelf for an update on the changing needs of the community due to the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic. Recent surveys revealed transportation was a major barrier, especially for those facing health issues, isolation and unemployment. ICA had to pivot operations quickly to provide food resources through home deliveries, resulting in an increase of over 40% in this area alone.
In response to this data, the Minnetonka Rotary Club, the Hopkins Rotary Club, the Lake Minnetonka Excelsior Rotary Club and the Excelsior Rotary Club came together to raise funds for a delivery van. With the addition of a grant from Rotary District 5950, the Rotarians were able to garner $27,000.
As a result, ICA was able to purchase a 2019 Ford Transit T250 van from Bellmobile in Hopkins. The interior of the vehicle will be re-modeled to enhance delivery and the exterior will sport both Rotary and ICA logos.
Many hands and many hours were needed to make this project come to fruition, but as Dan Narr, Executive Director of ICA Food Shelf says, “If you want something done, ask Rotary.”
“With the additional vehicle, we are able to increase our services in the community and hope to get more food into the hands of our neighbors,” explains Narr. “It will also help make frequent deliveries to the ICA Market and Resource Center at Gatewood Elementary School much easier.”
Minnetonka Rotarians have shared a long-standing relationship with the ICA Food Shelf. They have served as a reliable volunteer resource to collect and sort food donations, including food rescue, and assisted shoppers in the “choice” food shelf model at the K-Tel Drive location in Minnetonka. Over the course of the past 22+ years, Minnetonka Rotarians have supported ICA’s annual signature event, Empty Bowls, as a significant financial sponsor.