Staff photo by Kevin Sweeney The New Ulm Area Emergency Food Shelf has benefitted from extra donations and volunteers this week.

NEW ULM — New Ulm Area Emergency Food Shelf Executive Director Brad Kirk had lots of good news to talk about this week.

“We surpassed our ($15,000) fundraising goal and we’ve got 10 volunteers that if needed, will help us,” Kirk said. “The volunteers are either laid off workers or college students.”

Kirk said a recent story in The Journal about the food shelf’s need for funds and volunteers really drew a favorable community response.

“It’s been remarkable since the story came out about our need for funds. Checks poured in,” Kirk said. “We got a lot of people who want to volunteer. I can’t thank The Journal enough for supporting our cause. This past week, our post office post has been filled with donation checks.”

No matter what the value of the check is, no matter if you put one can in a donation box or a full bag. Maybe you chose to volunteer instead,” Kirk posted on the food shelf’s Facebook site. “Whatever you chose to do, it is making a big difference to the New Ulm Emergency Food Shelf.”

A number of businesses and service organizations donated to the food shelf, according to a Facebook post. Donated items included grocery carts, bundles of plastic, paper bags and gift cards.

The food shelf fundraising campaign has been extended to April 30. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 761, New Ulm, Mn 56073.

Located at 1305 S. Valley in New Ulm, the food shelf is open from noon to 2:45 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. Call 354-7668. Email foodshelf@newulmtel.net

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).