A Little Goes a Long Way
There is something about this time of year that reminds us of the importance of family, community, and looking out for one another and the potential of stress.
As November arrives, many of us begin thinking about Thanksgiving, gathering around the table, sharing meals, and enjoying time with the people we love. But for some of our neighbors, this season brings a different kind of concern. The question isn't necessarily what to prepare for Thanksgiving; it's whether there will be enough food to get through the week.
With the continued pressure of rising grocery prices, housing, utilities, and everyday expenses, more families are finding themselves making difficult decisions. And while we may all feel the effects of a higher cost of living, the impact is not the same for everyone.
For some, it means adjusting a grocery budget. For others, it means going without.
Behind the Numbers Are People (2025/26)
Sometimes statistics help us understand just how widespread a problem has become.
- 50% of households using food shelves include children.
- 33% include seniors.
- 33% are first-time or recent users (within the past 6 months).
- 83% of monthly users visit multiple times a month.
- 57% rely on food shelves for half or more of their monthly groceries.
Those are difficult numbers to take in. It's knowing that behind every number is a person, a family, or someone trying their best to make things work.
Food insecurity doesn't belong to one particular group of people. It affects working families, seniors living on fixed incomes, single parents, young adults, and people who have experienced an unexpected change in circumstances.
Sometimes the difference between having enough and needing help is one medical bill, a change in employment, or an expense no one saw coming.We just never know.
The person struggling might be a neighbor, a coworker, a friend, or even someone we see regularly at the gym.
We don't always know the challenges people are facing, and I think that's a good reason to approach one another with a little more understanding and grace.
The Connection Between Food and Health
Working in fitness, I have spent a great deal of time encouraging people to take care of themselves. I've talked about exercise, nutrition, strength, and the importance of making healthy choices.
But what also must be recognized is that making those choices isn't equally easy for everyone.
Good nutrition is one of the foundations of health. Yet when a household is struggling to afford groceries, having access to nutritious food can become a challenge of its own.
Food insecurity affects more than an empty refrigerator. It can influence physical health, emotional well-being, energy levels, and the ability to manage everyday stress.
When fitness professionals talk about building healthier communities, access to food needs to be part of that conversation, because health is about more than what happens inside the walls of a fitness club.
A Community That Cares
One of the things I've always appreciated about our clubs is how staff & members have come together. We've encouraged each other. We celebrated accomplishments, noticed when someone has been away, and sometimes become part of each other's lives in ways that extend well beyond a workout.
I (Fitness Evolution of Buffalo/Zimmerman) believe it gives us an opportunity to do something meaningful for the communities we live in. Perhaps one of the most important ways we can demonstrate that strength is through the kindness, compassion, and care we extend to others.
This November, Fitness Evolution is holding a food drive to support our local food shelves. Our hope is simple: to bring people together and help provide some relief to individuals and families who could use a little extra support. It doesn't have to be a large donation.
A few canned goods, a box of pasta, peanut butter, rice, or other requested pantry items can make a difference when combined with the generosity of others.
And I also want to acknowledge something important. Many people are watching their own budgets closely. Giving should never come with pressure or guilt. If you're able to contribute, we're grateful. If you're not, there are still ways to support the effort through encouragement, volunteering, or simply helping spread the word.
I think sometimes we underestimate what it means to someone when their community shows up for them.
A donation of food may help provide a meal, but it can also offer a little breathing room in an already difficult month. It may ease one worry, help stretch a paycheck, or allow a family to put their resources toward another important need. We may never meet the people who benefit from our contributions, and that's okay.
This November, I invite you to join Fitness Evolution in supporting our local food shelves Give what you can, when you can, and know that even a small contribution can become part of something meaningful.
Together, we can help fill the shelves and remind our neighbors that they are not alone.
https://foodhelpminnesota.org/listing/monticello-food-shelf/
Sources
- Feeding America, Map the Meal Gap
- USDA Economic Research Service, Household Food Security in the United States
- Minnesota Hunger Facts, 2025 food shelf visit data.
