---

Last year the North Branch Food Pantry distributed 176,488 pounds of food items to almost 6,000 individuals. The North Branch elementary schools annually collect food donations to help the food pantry and this year the Primary School collected 403 pounds of food, which is matched by a local donor. for a total of 806 pounds.

The elementary schools have collected food items annually for years as part of their comprehensive nutrition and wellness curriculum.

The North Branch Food Pantry is at 6381 Main St. The month of March is Minnesota Food Share Month and readers are reminded to contribute at their grocery store or church or wherever there's a collection site.

Items most needed include soups, juices, "helper" box meals and canned meats.

In photos: one of the kindergarteners enjoyed a bag lunch with mom, on the "beach" at Primary School in North Branch. Staff dresses in summer attire and play surfing songs, while students have lunch on beach towels and do summery activities. Also pictured: a couple of the hand puppets the kids make, the puppets must have a vegetable or fruit theme.

---