"Wayzata Today" Wednesday, Feb. 25, webcast: IOCP readies for FoodShare Month

For the 27th year, Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners participate in the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, the largest food and fund drive in the state.

In 2008, IOCP distributed 753,556 pounds of food in response to 12,267 requests. Over that same timeframe, the organization saw use of its food shelf go up 28 percent compared to the previous year, on par with national trends.

"This is a time of critical need," said IOCP Director of Volunteer Services Susan Fetterer. "With the recession, families we've served in the past need groceries more than ever. Their budget simply doesn't cover the cost of the basics."

IOCP operates one of the few food shelves in the state that allows weekly visits. It is also the only food shelf to serve the more than 85,000 individuals living in Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata.

The Minnesota FoodShare Campaign runs March 1 through April 3, 2009. It is the only time of the year contributions to food shelves leverage additional dollars. IOCP's Food Shelf receives an allocation based on its percent of the total collected. During the 2008 March campaign, the community donated 47,280 pounds of food and $18,981, allowing IOCP to replenish high-demand items.

• Wayzata High School's fall 2008 production of "My Fair Lady" has been recognized by the Hennepin Theatre Trust for participating in its SpotLight Musical Theatre Program. These SpotLight honors recognize students for their individual and group accomplishments in performance and production.

Hennepin Theatre Trust, owner of the historic State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres, is a non-profit organization devoted to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. The Trust, which presents performing arts events in downtown Minneapolis and runs educational programs, established the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program after recognizing that none existed in Minnesota to honor excellence in high school musical theatre. SpotLight is now in its fourth successful year encouraging and celebrating students who participate and excel in their high school musical. Schools annually apply to participate and pay a nominal administration fee. The experience culminates in the SpotLight Awards, a gala event that honors high school musical theatre accomplishments in much the same way that the Tony Awards(r) acknowledge Broadway excellence. This non-competitive celebration with student performances and award presentations will be held at the Orpheum Theatre at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2009. Additional information is available at www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org/education/SpotLight.

• Back in November, Erik Paulsen and Ashwin Madia squared off for the chance to succeed Jim Ramstad as congressman in Minnesota's third congressional district. The race was tight much of the way, massive amounts of money were spent on both sides and Paulsen came out on top. In today's portion of an interview Paulsen recently did with Sun Newspapers correspondents Harvey Rockwood and Chris Olwell, Paulsen talks about the campaign.

Paulsen credited his long-time connections to the district and its constituency groups as the reason for his success.

Tomorrow we'll have the final installment in our series with Rep. Paulsen. Paulsen will talk about his biggest surprise since hitting the ground in Washington D.C. six weeks ago.

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News & Politics

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• Sun Newspapers
• Sun-Sailor
• Jared Huizenga
• Wayzata Today
• IOCP
• FoodShare
• Erik Paulsen
• Wayzata High School
• My Fair Lady