The Two Harbors Area Food Shelf (THAFS) is a valuable resource to many families in the area. In 2022 alone, the food shelf distributed over 146,000 pounds of food and had 1,708 visits. 383 different area households were served, 28% of those household members being under 18 years old. THAFS gave out 200 turkeys for Thanksgiving and 120 hams for Christmas to families in need. Visits to the food shelf were up 45% in 2022, and 65% of food shelf users are from Two Harbors. Area businesses such as SuperOne, Kwik Trip, and Bending Birches Greenhouse helped to support the food shelf with over 45,000 pounds of food, but more help is still needed.
That’s where Music to Feed the Soul comes into play. A concert by a collaboration of local musical groups, Music to Feed the Soul asks for a freewill offering in exchange for an afternoon of music. 2023’s performance, held on April 2nd at the United Church in Two Harbors, had nine acts.
The Two Harbors Ukulele Group (T.H.U.G.) opened the afternoon with a variety of popular tunes, including the Flintstones theme. T.H.U.G. features a variety of ukulele sizes and styles, not just the widely-known soprano ukulele.
Katya Gordon and her father, Dan Goodenough, on voice, violin, and guitar, followed T.H.U.G. Gordon and Goodenough have been “playing gospel and folk songs together since Katya was old enough to sing a tune.”
Recently, a fiddle jam has begun meeting at the Two Harbors Public Library. Led by Carla Manning and dubbed the “North Shore Fiddling Friends”, the group features fiddlers, as well as other acoustic strings and percussion. The North Shore Fiddling Friends performed “Tennessee Waltz” and “Red-Haired Boy.”
G3nerations, a folk music band, had the next act. They have played at Music to Feed the Soul in the past, and were excited to welcome some new members this year.
Lighthouse Lyrics, a new women’s acapella group featuring Beth Alexander, Meghan Cavallin, and Katya Gordon, made their debut at Music to Feed the Soul this year. They are looking for more women to join their group.
Musician, singer, songwriter, piano tuner, and pilot Jerry “Engine” Anderson performed two original folk-style songs. His original style and lyrical winter blues piece generated chuckles throughout the audience. Anderson was followed by guitarists and vocalists Scott Radke and Bonnie Hundrieser, with Radke playing harmonica on their second song.
Tracy Parks, a pianist and vocalist, played two pieces, and the afternoon was closed out by Paul and Mary Kay Dahlin and Al Anderson.
Paul Dahlin plays Swedish fiddle and has played for the Prairie Home Companion and the king of Sweden. Mary Kay Dahlin played the zither and the double bass, and Al Anderson played the Waldzither, a German instrument. Anderson’s Waldzither dates from the 1920s or 30s.
The Two Harbors Area Food Shelf is grateful for the support shown by the community. You can support the food shelf through monetary donations, donations of non-perishable food items, or by volunteering. In 2022, over 40 regular volunteers donated over 2,000 hours of their time and energy. Volunteers fill many roles, among which include: food packing, truck unloading and food sorting, food rescue, serving on the food shelf board, and website support. Interested volunteers can contact Kelsey at 218-391-8191 or kelsey@thfoodshelf.org .
Area residents are welcome to visit the Two Harbors Area Food Shelf, with no financial qualification requirements. THAFS is open for drive-through distribution on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and for inside shopping on the second Thursday of each month from 3-6 p.m.
