There's a building behind Super One Foods in Baxter that used to sell shoes.

Starting this April, it's going to feed families.

The Lakes Area Food Shelf — the beloved Pequot Lakes-based nonprofit that's been quietly holding together one of the most important safety nets in Crow Wing County — has purchased a 5,000-square-foot facility at 7837 Excelsior Road in Baxter. Their goal: bring food access directly into the Brainerd-Baxter community, where food insecurity has risen sharply in recent years.

The numbers are sobering. In 2025, LAFS saw a 50% increase in shoppers at its Pequot Lakes location. Some of those shoppers were driving 50 miles round trip just to fill their grocery bags.

"Unfortunately, food insecurity is growing in the Brainerd lakes region and throughout Minnesota," said LAFS Board Chairperson Dale Carlson. "Nearly 9 million Minnesotans visited a food shelf in 2024. That's 1.3 million more than 2023."

The community has already answered the call in a big way. Local donations — including $200,000 from LAFS's own 2025 budget — have covered the full $635,000 purchase price of the building. Now they're raising an additional $1 million through their Hungry No More campaign to renovate the space and keep it stocked with food for 2026.

LAFS Director Tamara Larsen put it simply: "Again, our community is answering the call to provide financial support and nutritious food to our friends and neighbors."

🤝 How You Can Help

The Hungry No More campaign is still raising funds:

• Donate online: PayPal Giving Fund — waives all transaction fees
• Mail a check: Lakes Area Food Shelf, P.O. Box 423, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
• Drop off a check: 29316 Patriot Ave., Pequot Lakes (during business hours)

Even a $10 or $25 donation makes a difference.