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In response to the need to comply with stay-at home and social distance situations -- the Viking Vittles food outreach program, of the North Branch Schools and Trinity Church-North Branch,  is basing itself out of the county social services satellite office in North Branch this week.  

Chisago County SHIP coordinator Kirsten Hagen Kennedy said the food site was relocated to the county building Sunday, April 19.  Cars and trucks were loaded and unloaded by workers who came from the school district program, alomg with Family Pathways food shelf, public health staff, those who are affiliated with Community Education and the state health improvement partnership (SHIP.)

“We could not do this critical work without our strong partnerships,” said Kennedy.  She added she wants to personally thank everybody who helped out.

The Health & Human Services offices in North Branch,  6133 402nd Street,  was open April 22 Wednesday, and tomorrow,  Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to distribute four weeks’ worth of the Viking Vittles food.  The decision was made to reduce exposure to people by distributing a month’s worth of items at a time.  The HHS office will be drive-up curbside pickup.

Viking Vittles was first organized as a weekend supplement for North Branch students and their families,  who would miss meals when not attending school and eating in the school nutrition program.  At the time public school was called-off for virus related concerns, there were over 120 students receiving the weekend meal support.

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