March is Minnesota Food Share month. Donations made during the month of March to the Big Lake Food Shelf impact how much aid the food shelf receives from other organizations. The Big Lake School District is leading the way this year. Big Lake Middle School students have been holding a food drive. Run by the middle school student council, food was collected each day. Every week there was a bonus food item that added to a classroom total. There was also a "poison" item that could be delivered to another classroom and they had to subtract five points for each item. The winning Hornet Hour class was Mr. Rueter's class with 1387 pts. A total of 1,437 pounds of food was donated to the Big Lake Food Shelf Friday from the middle school. Liberty and Independence Elementary Schools have been selling Smencils (pencils which smell like fruit), and raised an additional $603, which was also delivered to the food shelf Friday, reports science teacher Jim VanderHeyden. The Big Lake Lions will host their annual Fill The Food Van at Coborn’s March 15, 16 and 17. Among other activities planned for Minnesota Food Share month, the food shelf will be “arresting” local politicians and community members and holding them in “jail” at City Hall until thay can arrange to pay their bail, March 22. The twist to this is other community members can call and pledge money to keep them in jail. While non-perishable food and donations of personal items such as soap, shampoo and toothpaste, are always welcome, donating cash to the food shelf allow organizers to purchase items at well-below cost through other hunger-fighting agencies. Use of the Big Lake food Shelf continues to grow, even as the economy shows some sign of improving. Last year, an average of around 150 families used the food shelf. This year, around 180 households are counting on it to provide some help. Last year, the March Campaign had 24,412 pounds of food donated and $18,907.79 was raised locally. All of this stays right here in the Big Lake community. Donations can also be made online at www.biglakefoodshelf.org The food shelf is open Monday and Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Wednesday and every second and fourth Saturday morning from 9-11 a.m