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First Location Trinity Lutheran Curch
First Location Trinity Lutheran Curch
The Pantry was first incorporated in 1982 as an official community non-profit food pantry to meet the food needs of those in Princeton. It was founded as a community organization but first located at Trinity Lutheran Church. The original community group, including Bill & Laverne George, long time promoters or the pantry, first set up the Pantry in a closet at the church around 1980. The first volunteer Directors were Phyllis Lee and Anna Atwood.
Mille Lacs County Depot
Mille Lacs County Depot
When it became evident that a larger space was needed, the City of Princeton offered a room at the Historical Mille Lacs County Depot building, rent-free. It was much larger than what was used at the church and the pantry operated from that location for the next 15 years. Once again, however, that location became too small to meet the needs of the community. The "Union Times" article May 21, 1998 covered a significant meeting of the pantry with the city council. Shirley outlined the critical need for expansion. This began the pantry fund drive which eventually raised money to purchase the building in the city lot at 104 6th street in May of 1999.
6th Street Location
6th Street Location
Spencer Brook United Methodist Church in Princeton was given a large amount of money by a benefactor to give away. The church chose to give the Pantry $20,000 if the Pantry could raise another $20,000. The board members were able to raise the money, which allowed the Pantry to purchase the building at it the location (104 6th Ave. S.) - five times larger than the location at the depot.
The Princeton Pantry was located this location for 15 years.
2nd Site Added - Reclamation Center
In partnership with Second Harvest, the pantry established a second location dedicated to food reclamation from local groceries, quick markets, & restaurants. This location, called the First street location, was run by Shirley Hines. Although it was just around the corner from the 6th street pantry location from the pantry building, two staffs were needed to run them both. In 2005 Joyce Neumann was hired to run the Sixth Street pantry.
This rental property was eventually sold to Santa Luchia as an ice cream shop. That sale prompted food reclamation to move to another rental location at the "George Mall" for approximately a year. That location too was sold and the Reclamation Center found refuge at 120 North Rum River drive in Riverside Plaza as a rental in 2017. The pantry purchased this location from the mall in 2020 with money raised through a second building fund drive.
Consolidation of Both Locations
Consolidation of Both Locations
In the summer of 2025 it became necessary to eliminate the 6th street location because of the cost of bringing the old building up to needed standards. The two locations were centralized to the 120 North Rum River drive in the Riverside Plaza. This change required dramatic changes in the process of the pantry operation. In July of 2025, Jennifer Folkema was hired as Executive Director of the new consolidated facility.
Pastor Bob - Thank you
Pastor Bob - Thank you
Pastor Bob Hasinfelt, served as president of the Princeton Pantry for over 40 years. His work and dedication have become synonamous with the success and generosity of the Princeton community in supporting the food needs of families and individuals in the community.
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Contact Us
Contact Us
Reclamation Center / Fresh Market - Riverside Plaza - 763-220-5199
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