Bemidji Community Food Shelf

08/28/2026

Sometimes the best reminders come on a piece of scrap paper. 💚

Our Interim Volunteer Coordinator, Allison, started a Gratitude Board to save the latest thank-you notes and cards that have been given to us by the neighbors who shop at the food shelf.

Some are beautifully written cards. Some are quick handwritten notes. Some have drawings. And every single one means something.

One of our favorites simply says:

“Volunteers, you guys rock! Thank you! God Bless!”

We couldn’t agree more.

These notes belong to every volunteer who gives their time, every donor who helps keep our shelves full, every partner who shows up, and every person who helps make BCFS a welcoming place for our neighbors.

So if you ever wonder whether the little things you do make a difference, take a look at this board.

They do. 💚

08/27/2026

🥕 FREE PRODUCE DROP: SEPT. 4TH! 🥦

Come fill your bags with fresh produce — free for anyone in our community! No sign-up needed. Just stop by and grab what you can use. 🍎

📅 Friday, September 4
⏰ 11:00 am–1:00 pm or until produce runs out
📍 Bemidji Community Food Shelf parking lot

Come early, bring a bag, and tell your neighbors! 💚

A big thank you to Country Food Bank, Inc. for supplying the produce!

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day! Thank you Otto, Archie, and Ivy for donating pet food to help keep our furry friends fed!

08/26/2026

🐶 STOP SCROLLING. WE NEED TO SEE YOUR DOG. 🐶

It’s National Dog Day, which means we have one very important piece of business to take care of:

Flood the comments with dogs. 😂

Big dogs. Tiny dogs. Fluffy dogs. Wrinkly dogs. Dogs who think they run the house. Dogs who absolutely DO run the house.

We want them all.

👇 Drop a photo of your pup in the comments and tell us their name!

Consider this your official excuse to show your dog to the entire Bemidji community. 💚

08/26/2026

Sometimes, a small change in our hours can make a big difference.

One customer recently shared:

"I don't drive anymore, and my son works all day. It was easy today because we could come as soon as he got done with work."

Stories like this are why BCFS offers Extended Hours on the first Monday of each month—to make it easier for neighbors with work schedules, transportation challenges, or other commitments to shop when it works for them.

💚 Our next Extended Hours are Monday, September 14th, from 5:00–7:00 pm (due to the Labor Day holiday).

Everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you.

08/24/2026

🥚🗞️ Eggs-celent news: Easier access to high-quality eggs 🗞️ 🥚

Fresh eggs are a high-demand item at food shelves across Minnesota. As of August 1, 2026, retailers may now donate shell eggs to charitable food assistance programs, including food shelves.

Shell eggs can be donated up to 30 days past their quality assurance date which is the date listed on egg cartons as the best-by or sell-by date.

This date describes when the eggs are at their peak flavor, freshness and optimal quality, and is not related to food safety. The safety of these donated shell eggs is protected by the actions that retailers must follow.

Here are a few safety tips from the USDA:

🥚 Consume within 5 weeks of the pack date and within 1-2 weeks of receiving from the food shelf.

🥚 Keep eggs in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them.

🥚 Egg whites might become thinner and the yolk may pale or flatten as eggs are stored for longer periods of time but these are still safe to cook and eat!

🥚 Great for cooking and hard boiling. Once hard boiled, keep in the refrigerator and eat within 7 days.

🥚 When baking with these eggs, you may notice reduced rising as eggs play a role in leavening.

🥚 Do not leave shell eggs out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours.

Happy eating!

08/21/2026

Maybe you’ve never pictured yourself on a nonprofit Board.

But if you’ve built a business, managed a team, worked with budgets, practiced law, or helped an organization make big decisions…you may have exactly the experience we need.

The Bemidji Community Food Shelf is accepting applications for our 2027 Board of Directors. We’re especially interested in community members with experience in business leadership, finance, and legal fields.

You don’t need to be a food shelf expert! We'll teach you!

You do need to care about this community and be willing to bring your experience, ideas, and perspective to the table.

Board members serve a three-year term beginning in 2027.

📅 Applications are due October 1.

Learn more about Board service and apply here: https://www.bcfsmn.org/about (scroll to the bottom of the page)

And if someone immediately came to mind while you were reading this — send it to them. 💚

08/21/2026

🚘 Happening NOW!!! 🚘 Head on over to the Sanford Center for the last mobile food drop of the summer.

10:00 am to 12:00 pm or until food is gone. Everyone is welcome!

Thank you to United Way of Bemidji Area and North Country Food Bank, Inc. for putting on these events!

Tomorrow, Friday Aug. 21, starting at 10AM is the next Mobile Food Drop at The Sanford Center parking lot. Thank you to North Country Food Bank, Inc. and Bemidji Community Food Shelf!

08/20/2026

The next mobile food drop is happening TOMORROW, August 21st, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, or until food is gone. Location: Stanford Center Parking Lot.

*Please be sure to have household information ready for EACH household you are picking up for. You will need full household name, household size, and optional zip code. All are welcome!

A few more volunteers are still needed - please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0449AAAB2EA0F4C07-63828323-mobile?fbclid=IwY2xjawT0ETlwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVJEODB4SWJsVTNmNWdiT1dzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeNSp3rQrF7k62-KmWDUXDCA-8uWH3meAUKStkqBFalVGzV568X_GuGLdo5fs_aem_YZcFErKnoyEl0PVB2hCGWw #/

Thank you to United Way of Bemidji Area and North Country Food Bank, Inc. for putting on these events!

08/20/2026

Sometimes, the biggest difference isn't just the food.

It's being greeted with a smile.

It's feeling welcomed.

It's knowing someone cares.

At BCFS, our volunteers do so much more than stock shelves and bag groceries. They create a place where neighbors can shop with dignity, find a little relief, and leave feeling hopeful.

Janet has seen it happen time and time again:

"Many customers come in looking stressed out... By the time they leave with their full cart of groceries, they have a big smile on their faces."

That smile belongs to this entire community. 🧡

Thank you to every volunteer, donor, and supporter who helps make moments like these possible.