by EthanF | Nov 20, 2024 | News
By Ethan Watters In her office in the Welcome Center in Austin Minnesota, Varinh Van Vugt has a collection of thank-you notes pinned to her wall. One stands out: a handwritten message from an elderly East African refugee. The three short sentences in imperfect English...
by EthanF | Oct 16, 2024 | News
In partnership with local organizations, the Hometown Food Security Project co-led the Nourishing Champions snack-packing event at Austin High School. By Ethan Watters The recent gathering on the east lawn of Austin High School had all the elements of the raucous...
by EthanF | Sep 27, 2024 | News, The Coalition
By Ethan Watters and Jenny Qi Riverland Community College tackles food insecurity among its students in collaboration with the Hometown Food Security Project Coalition, Hormel Foods and other community partners. Riverland Community College President Kathleen “Kat”...
by EthanF | Aug 6, 2024 | News
By Mary Ladd A food lifeline for kids in Minnesota’s Mower County Mackenzie Andrews, a recent high school graduate from Austin, Minnesota, first heard about the Mower County Backpack Program from her mom, a longtime volunteer. The powerful initiative quickly captured...
by EthanF | Jul 9, 2024 | News
A Work of Art 2024 In April, the SPAM® Museum opened its doors to the Austin community to celebrate and advance the efforts to address food insecurity in Mower County. At the event, “A Work of Art: Creating Food Security,” hundreds of pieces of art created...
by EthanF | Jun 17, 2024 | News
By Jenny Qi Major Jeff Strickler’s efforts to help fight hunger have touched thousands of lives in Mower County and beyond over his 40 years of service. Jeff Strickler always wanted to help people. After double-majoring in sociology and psychology in college, he...
