Food giveaway marks new era

For 30 years, Disciples Ministry Church has worked to feed hungry households in north Minneapolis. But the needs have outgrown the capacity of the ministry at 1000 Oliver Av. N.

So Wednesday, it will pack up its grocery shelf and give away 4,000 bags of food to the households on its registry. Then it will make a transition into a new phase of helping people.

Instead of operating a grocery shelf, the ministry is going to work with people to identify needs that go beyond food, said administrator Jeanine Durand-Arnopoulos. "We kind of have to start over now."

The ministry plans to move its outreach work online, using e-mail and text messages to contact member households. Food may return at some point, at a different location, she said.Instead of giving food away, the plan is to let people choose more of what they want and buy it "at really good prices," she said.