This month is the annual Minnesota FoodShare March campaign — a time when people all across the state are raising money and collecting food to support their local food shelves.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one in 10 Minnesotans experiences food insecurity — meaning they do not have consistent access to adequate food, often because of a lack of money and other resources.

Minnesotans made more than 3 million visits to food shelves each year from 2011 through 2016, and visits in 2017 are likely to have met or exceeded this number, according to Hunger Solutions Minnesota.

It may seem overwhelming to  think of how one person can make a difference in conquering this problem, but the truth is every person can make a difference.

During the 2017 March campaign, Minnesota FoodShare and local food shelves raised a combined $8 million and 4.7 million pounds of food.

Let’s come together to support our local food shelves again this year.

In Albert Lea, there is the Salvation Army food shelf and the Ecumenical Food Pantry. There are food shelves in several of the surrounding communities as well.

Cash donations can make the greatest impact, as food shelves are able to stretch your dollar into more when they purchase food shelf items.

Later this month, on March 24, there is also the annual Scouting for Food drive, where people can set out food donations in a bag by their front door, and  local Scouts will travel around the community, pick up the donations and drop them off at the food shelves.

Whichever way you decide to donate, remember every little bit counts.