Minnesotans pride themselves on where they’re from and supporting each other when the rubber meets the road. In this time of extreme challenges and uncertainty, we’ve witnessed this compassion firsthand. We also know we need to keep at it.

The Food Group, Surly Gives a Damn (SGAD) and 10 local liquor stores are providing an opportunity for all of us to help with an emergency food drive from April 1 through April 30. The act is simple. The need is great. And we know it’s not slowing down.

“The Food Group is so grateful to have generous community partners like Surly Gives a Damn,” said Sophia Lenarz, executive director, The Food Group. “Food shelves and meal programs are seeing needs skyrocket right now. We can’t respond to the rising community demand without all of us coming together.”

Bring non-perishable food items to one of 10 participating local liquor stores when you’re making your next supply run, drop it in the giant Food Group blue bin, and snap a photo of the QR code to get a coupon for a free pint at the Surly Beer Hall (to be redeemed when doors are back open).

“In the 10 years that SGAD has worked with The Food Group, the need to provide meals to our community has never been greater,” said Mary Sellke, executive director, SGAD. “We’d love to see the bins filled every day of the emergency food drive so we make sure more Minnesotans know where their next meal will come from. I know we can do this during our essential supply runs, and then by staying home.”

Participating locations include:

• Central Avenue Liquors |2538 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
• Dinkytown Wine & Spirits | 1412 5^th SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
• Elevated Beer, Wine & Spirits – Minneapolis | 4135 Hiawatha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
• Elevated Beer, Wine & Spirits – White Bear Lake | 2141 4^th, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
• France 44 Wines & Spirits | 4351 France Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
• Minnehaha Lake Wine & Spirits | 2613 E Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55406
• Morelli’s | 535 Tedesco St., St. Paul, MN 55130
• Sentyrz Liquor & Supermarket | 1612 NE 2^nd, Minneapolis, MN 55413
• Stinson Wine, Beer & Spirits |2315 18^th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
• Surdyk’s Liquor & Cheese Shop | 303 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414

If you’re sheltering in place and/or self-quarantining, you can still support the cause online at https://www.givemn.org/story/Sgad.

If you’re looking for more ways to help our community SGAD and The Food Group both keep opportunities up-to-date on our respective websites.