Officers were elected and client usage was reviewed during a recent meeting of the Wells Area Food Shelf board of directors. The board also welcomed Rachel Iverson to their group and will do the same to new member Jim More during their next meeting.

Jean Steinhauer of Wells was elected as the food shelf’s chair, replacing Marti Yokiel in that position. Yokiel’s resignation was accepted earlier this year although she will continue to work closely with the board on its annual spring fundraiser. Steinhauer will be joined by vice-chair Pastor Mary Iverson of Wells, secretary Dianne Rauenhorst of rural Easton and Andrea Groskreutz of Wells on the executive committee.

Other board members are Sandy Lorenz, Pastor Steven Lorenz, Julie Seedorf, Dave and Karen Skellenger, Larry Steinhauer and Javier and Luz Rodriquez.

Carol Aske, Cindy Matson and Donna Weckwerth are the food shelf’s coordinators. The duo takes care of its weekly operations.

Board members learned that usage at the shelf has set some records in recent months. During July, for example, a record-setting 5,140 pounds of food was distributed to patrons. August statistics show that a total of 63 new patrons were welcomed as users of the food shelf’s service to feed hungry people throughout the area.

According to a press release, the food shelf indeed serves people from throughout this area, not just those from Wells. When August statistics were compiled, they showed a total of 44 people from Wells, 20 people from Blue Earth, 18 people from Bricelyn and 8 people from Elmore were among the 316 served; the rest came from communities throughout the area, but totaled less than 8 per community.

Statistics are kept because the Wells Area Food Shelf is what is known as a sustaining food shelf. Households may visit the food shelf once every four weeks and are eligible for an exact number of pounds of food based on the number of people in their household. The maximum amount of food a household can receive every four weeks is 75 pounds.

All statistics on food distribution are forwarded to Channel One in Rochester, which is the primary supplier to food shelves throughout southeastern Minnesota. The Wells Area Food Shelf receives both free government commodities as well as purchased food items from Channel One. The purchased food is priced well below what is normally available in area grocery stores.

The Wells shelf also receives much-needed food items donated by the public individually and through food drives in this area as well as cash donations from organizations and individuals. All cash donations are used to purchase food given to people in need. That is because the food shelf is located at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells and that congregation has generously opted to donate everything the food shelf needs to maintain its location in the church to the food shelf. That insures that all donations are used to feed the area’s hungry.

The Wells Area Food Shelf is open from 4 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday. According to a press release, all people who visit the shelf and are in need of food will find their needs met there.

Donations are always needed and much appreciated. They may be mailed or hand delivered to Good Shepherd at 291 First St. SW, Wells, MN 56097.

Volunteers are also being sought with commitments of time ranging from once a month to less if need be.

For more information on the food shelf call Carol Aske at 507-525-5026, Cindy Matson at 507-294-3793, Donna Weckwerth at 507-553-3234 or the Good Shepherd Church office at 507-553-3513. For the latest information, visit http://www.facebook.com/wellsareafoodshelf.com.