2025 marks 43 years of serving Bemidji and the surrounding communities. What began as a small downtown storefront with a few dedicated volunteers has grown into a lifeline for thousands of people each year.

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In 2024 alone, we saw a 12% increase in need—serving 13,000 families, or 42,000 individuals, with over 1 million pounds of food distributed. Among them were 850 families visiting us for the very first time.

This work is only possible because of the people who stand with us. More than 300 volunteers give their time, energy, and compassion to help their neighbors, and we welcome anyone who wants to join them—there’s a role for every ability. If you’d like to learn more, please call our Volunteer Coordinator at 218-444-6580 or visit our volunteer page here for more information.

We are also deeply grateful to our donors. Because we purchase two-thirds of the food we distribute, their generosity is essential to meeting the needs of our community.

To our volunteers, donors, and community members: thank you. The Bemidji Community Food Shelf exists—and continues to grow—because of you.