LITTLE FALLS —The Initiative Foundation awarded $100,000 in grants to 18 rural food shelves across central Minnesota to help communities manage a surge in demand in the face of rising food costs.

The Pine River-Backus Family Center, Hackensack Area Food Shelf and Emily Food Shelf were among the grant recipients.

The Initiative Foundation identified and partnered with some of the region’s smallest and most under-resourced food shelve — connecting directly with organizations where the need was greatest and support could make the most immediate difference.

“We saw the strain our smallest food shelves were under and knew we had to act,” Amy Trombley, vice president of community at the Initiative Foundation, said in a news release. “These food shelves are essential lifelines in their commun

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