An extension of the food shelf’s normal offerings, the giveaway of cookies, croissants and donuts, the program includes bread if available, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Thursdays through Dec. 18.

Clients are normally able to visit the food shelf once a month, but the extra weekly hours for bread and sweets and other food items on occasion, was created when the federal government shutdown lingered late into the fall.

“They can come in as often as they want for this,” said food shelf executive director Brad Kirk. “There are no restrictions on who comes in and where they live. This is for anyone who needs help. Food choices will change every time, based on what we have in abundance.”

He said people got their SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) benefits as few days ago.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm Area Emergency Food Shelf volunteer Sheldon Rieke sorts cookies, croissants and pastries at the bakery giveaway Thursday.

“We’re maintaining food supplies like we normally do. Visitor traffic has been steady lately. We see lots of repeat people and a lot of new people too,” Kirk said. “I want to thank everybody including the public, organizations, grocery stores and MR Paving & Excavating for donations and cleaning out our driveway.”

Food shelf volunteers Thursday included Sheldon Rieke of St. George and Deb Beatty of rural New Ulm.

Rieke, who received the 2013 Human Rights Award from the New Ulm Human Rights Commission, said being food shelf volunteer has been fulfilling for him.

“I felt the need to help the food shelf to help get food to people who may not otherwise be able to get it. A number of organizations I belong to have donated money to the food shelf,” said Rieke. “I enjoy working with good people and helping good people here. It’s a positive atmosphere. I feel good after volunteering here. It makes the rest of my day go better. You can’t beat that.”

Beatty, a physical therapist for more than 40 years, said she enjoys helping out for similar reasons.

“I have a passion for helping people. I’m very thankful for all the generosity including food and financial donations from people in and around New Ulm,” said Beatty.

Food shelf visitor Colleen Browning of New Ulm said she recently moved to New Ulm from Houston, Texas to be closer to family.

“My brother and sister volunteer at the food shelf. I plan to volunteer here myself when I have more time for it,” said Browning. “I really like the bread and meat at the food shelf here.”

Mary Strait of New Ulm said she recently moved to New Ulm from Portland, Oregon to be near family.

“I lived in Portland for 40 years, but I wanted to get away from the crime and high cost of living there. New Ulm seems like a pleasant place to me. I really like the people here,” said Strait. “We were driving by and saw the food shelf was open so we stopped in.”

The New Ulm food shelf distributes food to residents of the New Ulm Public School district from noon to 2:45 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. Clients are required to renew their registration each July. The food shelf will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Food donations can be dropped off at the food shelf 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. Cash Wise and Hy-Vee grocery stores and local churches have food drop-off boxes.

For more information, call 507-354-7668. Visit https://newulmfoodshelf.com/.