Open Your Heart provided AFS with funding toward the unexpected expense of updating and enhancing their new building’s electrical components for the walk-in freezer and refrigerator unit. Having this work completed will significantly improve AFS’s ability to effectively and efficiently operate as a food shelf, ensuring customers have access to a variety of frozen foods, fresh produce, dairy, and protein always for years to come.
The Aurora Food Shelf was very excited to receive a $5,570 grant from Open Your Heart! On average, they serve 175 households each month, distributing around 15,000 pounds of food to folks in the Aurora/Biwabik/Hoyt Lakes area. Since 2020, Aurora has been transforming their food shelf into a “Super Shelf,” which will result in a welcoming atmosphere where participants can access healthy food in the most dignified way possible, allowing participants to “shop” the food shelf like a regular grocery store.
The Covid pandemic delayed AFS’ progress for a few years, but now they are back on track and plan to have their Super Shelf Grand Opening this month. Part of their transformation involved purchasing new refrigerators and freezers, but their electricity set-up was not sufficient, and they were blowing fuses repeatedly during distribution days. The Open Your Heart grant will allow them to hire an electrician and increase their electrical capabilities so they can use the new freezers and refrigerators without fear of overloading their circuits. They look forward to ensuring the best possible experience for their many grateful participants!