About Us

Our Mission:

The Watonwan County Food Shelf offers food to families and individuals who are experiencing food insecurity. We have created a mini-supermarket of sort to allow shoppers to choose foods that meet their nutritional needs and personal tastes.

Our Values:

The Watonwan County Food Shelf is committed to providing our community with an additional food source for our neighbors facing food insecurity. We envision a community where everyone can access nutritious and culturally relevant foods. We believe that everyone has the right to healthy food options regardless of their circumstances. This vision is enforced by the following values:

A welcoming environment: 

We will value all shoppers, volunteers, and guests within the food shelf and will treat them with compassion, responsiveness, respect, and dignity.

Food Choice: 

We value the ability of shoppers to choose their own food and will work to present a variety of healthy choices to each shopper.

Trust: 

We value the privacy of each of our shoppers and maintain the utmost level of confidentiality.

Integrity: 

The Board, staff, and volunteers are held to a high standard of integrity. The use of resources entrusted to us is taken seriously and handled with care. We will handle food in a healthy manner keeping food safe for each of our shoppers. We will communicate accurate and timely information about the WCFS to those that partner with us financially. We will use funds and resources responsibly in order to best serve Watonwan County. 

Community Support: 

Without community members, organizations, and business support, the WCFS can not exist. We recognize that our success is only made possible by the financial and material donations of those in our community and that volunteers are the backbone of our operation.

Supporting our Volunteers: 

We recognize the importance of providing a rewarding opportunity in which the community can give back in a meaningful way. We value volunteer training and mutual feedback in order to make the volunteer experience as impactful as possible. 

We recognize the dignity of all people and believe food is an essential right for all. 

Who we are:

As a 501c3 charitable organization incorporated by area churches in Watonwan County, we have been serving the community since 1982. We are completely volunteer run and supported by grants and by generous food and financial donations from the community.

Leadership:

The food shelf is currently led by a board of directors comprised of the following members:

Beth Labenz-Chairperson

 Pastor David Lick-Secretary

Katherine Petty-Treasurer

Ashley Tetzloff- Board Member

Jane Wolle-Board Member 

Yasmin Zamarripaya- Board Member

Silvia Solorzano-Board Member

Becky Cobb-Board Member 

Travis Elg- Board Member

If you have any questions or concerns
please call our Food Shelf Coordinator, Stevie Ciske, at 507-621-4264