The March Campaign & CEAP

The March Campaign & CEAP For the last 45 years, CEAP has been the neighborhood food shelf, guide in resource navigation and has grown to be the beacon of wrap around services in the Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center communities. Every year, when the calendar turns to March, CEAP coordinates efforts to bring together individuals, businesses, civic groups, and faith communities, to raise both food and funds to March Against Hunger in MN.

CEAP’s goal during the March Against Hunger Campaign is to raise $245,000 and 210,000 pounds of food for our community. A portion of every dollar and pound raised for CEAP will be matched by Minnesota FoodShare in this amazing joint effort to eradicate hunger in Minnesota.

Hunger Facts: The need for Minnesota FoodShare’s March Campaign, and CEAP’s participation in it, stems from the difficult circumstances our friends, family, and colleagues experience daily.  1 in 10 Minnesotans, or more than 500,000 residents, are food insecure on a regular basis.  In 2017, CEAP saw over 26,000 families visit its food shelves.  Last year CEAP distributed over 1.3 million pounds of food to the men, women, seniors, and children in our service area.  High housing costs, prescription drug costs, and unemployment have been cited as the biggest reasons for increased reliance on emergency food services.

Our Stories: The following are testimonials from CEAP’s food shelf clients: “I wanted to let you know how much our family appreciates what you do for others. I came in two weeks ago because I had no food for my family. I’ve had numerous spine surgeries and lost my job. I’ve always been the one helping others in a time of need. I cried the whole time I was there and you made me feel so much better. Thank you for your compassion!” “Before I had started any of my schooling, I was a stay-at-home-mom who had a very tough time providing for my children. CEAP was there for me in my darkest times, and provided clothing and food for my children. I am now only two semesters away from graduating as an RN, and my eldest son gets married in two weeks. Without CEAP’s support during the tough times, I don’t know that we would have made it this far! It means the world to me that I’m able to be here today to pay-it-forward by serving as a volunteer.”

Call to Action: I am challenging you today to take action. Stand with CEAP and our supporters in the fight against hunger. Your monetary donations go incredibly far in helping this cause. For every $20 donation you make, CEAP can buy $100 worth of food through its network of suppliers. Your donations go directly back into your community, helping your neighbors, your friends, your coworkers, partners in faith. So don’t delay, give now, give often, fight hunger.

Tips & Tricks: Here are a few tips and tricks to use when reaching out to organizations:

 Make a plan. Who are you going to connect with and when will you schedule it? Write it on your calendar.  Share the vision and mission of CEAP. Last year we distributed over 1.3 million pounds of food to our neighbors in need. No child should go to bed hungry in our community. Draw on the passion for this work…that passion will show through!  Always assume the answer will be yes, and that everyone will want to help.  Be specific in your ask. “We need your partnership to collect money that will help the hungry in our community...”  Always ask for matching funds if someone is choosing to do a food or fund drive. Even if it is only a portion, or up to a particular amount, every extra dollar or pound helps.  Remember, you are giving someone the opportunity to be philanthropic, to be a CEAP partner.  Have an attitude of gratitude. Thank them for being a part of the community and a great partner to CEAP, regardless of their choice.  Let them know we will recognize them for their partnership throughout the campaign in our materials and communications.  Contact Rachel if you need a sidekick or want additional advice and encouragement at [email protected] or 763.450.3664