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Lindstrom’s Hiram Lodge 287 February fund drive for the Chisago Lakes Area Food Shelf has the goal this year to raise $10,000 from the community which will earn a dollar for dollar match up to $10,000 from Minnesota Masonic Charities.  

The Lodge plans to present their combined funds to Family Pathways during the Minnesota Food Share March Campaign which helps the organization earn additional corporate sponsor funds.

Last year, the drive raised an impressive $6,500 during February which was then matched with $6,500 from the Minnesota Masonic Charities for a grand total of $13,000 going to the food shelf.

Hoffman acknowledges reaching $10,000 this year will be a challenge, but he is confident that it is possible if the community gets behind it.  

On average in 2014, the Chisago Lakes Area Food Shelf distributed 20,586 pounds of food to 193 families each month.  By year’s end, this resulted in a 41percent increase in food distributed and 13 percent increase in families served over 2013.  The food shelf also provides:  Food 4 Kids backpack program; a children’s summer lunch program; fixings for traditional holiday meals; and it operates a Mobile Food Shelf.  Local churches and Family Pathways provide a free home-cooked Community Meal every Monday at Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City. (February 16 members of Hiram Lodge will cover all the volunteer positions for the meal as their “hands on” service project.)

To donate to the Double Your Donation fundraiser, make checks out to Hiram Lodge 287 with a note in the memo marked – CLA Food Shelf and mail them to Hiram Lodge 287, Box 681, Lindstrom, MN, 55045. Check may also be dropped off at the Chisago Lakes Area Food Shelf at 10586 Liberty Lane, Chisago City, or mailed to the Chisago Lakes Are Food Shelf at PO Box 45, Chisago City, MN 55013.  All checks must be made out to the Hiram Lodge to quality for the match. For more information on the Double you Donation fundraiser Brian Hoffman can be reached at 651-728-2041 or [email protected].  

Hiram Lodge 287 is entering their 99th year as a local service organization. In addition to this food shelf fundraiser, the Lodge also does a Pancake Breakfast during Karl Oscar Days to raise funds for their Scholarship Program and Family Pathways’ Food Shelf.  Jerry Rhodes invites local men interested in investing some time and energy to benefit their community to join the lodge which currently has over 60 members. For more information regarding Lodge membership contact Secretary Jay Albright at 651-257-9941.

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