A thankful donation for CHUM

Susan Holt
On Monday, an anonymous donor wrote a check for $18,000 to the CHUM Food Shelf to cover the cost of Thanksgiving dinners. 

Gearing up for Thanksgiving, the CHUM Food Shelf in Duluth put out a call to community members last week, to help cover the cost of 300 boxes of Thanksgiving dinner. On Monday, CHUM received a check from an anonymous donor for $18,000. That check will cover all of CHUM’s costs.

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“Once again, our community stepped up and came through,” Scott Van Daele, Director of Distributive Services at CHUM said in a press release. “It feels amazing to know that we will be able to serve so many friends and neighbors this holiday, and to provide the quality ingredients to make this holiday meal so special.”

The $18,000 will cover the costs to purchase:

  • 300 Turkeys
  • 25 cases of Sweet Potatoes / Yams
  • 300 boxes of Stuffing
  • 25 cases of Green Beans
  • 25 cases of Corn
  • 25 cases of Cranberry Sauce
  • 25 cases of Macaroni and Cheese
  • 300 boxes of Mashed Potatoes
  • 25 cases of Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • 300 jars of Gravy
  • 25 cases of Canned Pumpkin

Organizers say additional contributions will be accepted, and put to good use. With the continuing rise in the cost of food, the CHUM Food Shelf is seeing an increase in the number of visitors looking for food assistance.

“Food insecurity doesn’t just occur on holidays,” Van Daele said, “The CHUM Food Shelf staff are giving away food 5 days a week across the City of Duluth and neighboring areas. We are distributing almost 250 full boxes of food every week to our neighbors in need, and we always need a constant supply of food to fill the boxes.”

CHUM says the ongoing global pandemic has made it more difficult to find food, so the Food Shelf will continue asking for help from individuals, businesses, and community clubs to help feed our community.