The Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) has awarded two grants totaling $300,000 to help address
regional food insecurity.

The grants are:

• $200,000 to ECHO Food Shelf for their building expansion, allowing them to increase space for frozen and refrigerated food, to accept more donations, and feed more families across the region.
• $100,000 to Region Nine Development Commission to coordinate and implement a regional effort to rescue surplus food for food shelves.

These grants are supported by a generous donation from Glen A. Taylor through the Taylor Family Farms Foundation. Taylor has a long history of funding philanthropic initiatives related to rural communities.

Nancy Zallek, President and CEO of MAF said food insecurity continues to be a critical issue, and these grants provide a significant step toward longer-term solutions.

“We are so grateful to Glen A. Taylor and the Taylor Family Farms Foundation for their support of this important initiative,” said Zallek. “These funds will increase regional food recovery, storage and distribution efforts, ultimately getting food to where it’s most needed and making a difference for families around the region.”