With support from our generous donors, Open Your Heart provided CAER Food Shelf with funding to help fund a new reach-in refrigerator for the Kids Weekend CAER Package program. The impact of having a reliable refrigerator to store milk, produce, and other perishable items are essential to continue providing consistent, healthy food to youth experiencing food insecurity.
Founded in 1979, CAER was established by 13 area churches to provide emergency food assistance to families in need throughout Elk River, Otsego, Zimmerman, and surrounding communities. CAER is still supported by local churches, schools, civic and business organizations, and individuals. They have all joined hands in a community effort to ensure that hunger is not a barrier to the well-being of people in our community. For more than 40 years, CAER has opened its doors to families and has reached deep into the community to provide healthy and nutritious food.