Andrea Kish-Bailey,
Executive Director
for White Bear Area
Emergency Food Shelf.
WBAEFS has served the
White Bear community
since 1977. In 2017,
WBAEFS provided
602,205 meals to 3,900
individuals.
The Y’s Executive Director Shane
Hoefer says, “Press Publications is
a cornerstone of our community.
We enjoy the opportunity
to partner closely with Press
Publications in many ways,
especially through the leadership
of its Publisher Carter Johnson,
who serves on our Community
Board. Carter’s now our immediate
past chair, and we’re grateful for
Carter and Amy Johnson’s many
contributions to the Y.”
Publisher Carter Johnson says, “In 2010,
we strategized with the Y about how
we could best engage the community
and offer something free and of value
to families during our summertime
Marketfest. We partnered on a Bounce
House where families gather together,
where their children have fun together.
The Y shares information about their
programs, and we connect with our
readers. Most community events are
‘one-and-done,’ but Marketfest is six
weeks. Our Bounce House is always
located in the same place, and our
families appreciate knowing we’ll be
there year after year.
“We’re also in our eighth year of
partnering on the Senior Fair, a
one-day event held at the YMCA’s
Maplewood Community Center. We set
up 35 – 40 tables; our topics include
housing, financial planning, health
insurance and funeral arrangements.
It’s a great resource for our seniors
and for the younger generation, who
are oftentimes their parents’ and
grandparents’ caregivers. We offer
22
Vadnais Heights Business Guide & Community Profile
entertainment. Walgreens gives free
flu shots. Everything is free – free food
from Donatelli’s, King City, Pizza Man
and more. The Senior Fair has grown
stronger every year. And every year Press
Publications donates 50 percent of the
proceeds back to the Y.
“2017 was our 1st Annual NE Women’s
Fair, also one day at the Maplewood
Community Center. While planning for
it with the YMCA and Vadnais Heights
Economic Development Corporation,
we asked ourselves, ‘What value do we
want it to bring to the community?’ We
wanted the women who came to walk
away feeling more knowledgeable and
stronger. We set up 4 Quadrants: Health
& Wellness; Financial Freedom; Family;
and Work Success. The feedback was
good. We feel good about the variety of
businesses and about the empowering
educational resources that were
offered.”
Johnson adds, “People are their
community. Press Publications feels
strongly about making sure that people
have the information they need to be
involved in their community.”
For more info: ymcamn.org; whitebear.
k12.mn.us; and, presspubs.com.
WBAEFS & Cummins Sales
and Service
Andrea Kish-Bailey, Executive Director
for White Bear Area Emergency Food
Shelf, says, “Over the last several years
nonprofits have become more visible in
their communities. Local organizations
like WBAEFS, Merrick, Solid Ground,
Lakeshore Players, and a multitude of
others participate at community events
– like BEARly Open, Marketfest, Manitou
Days and Farmers’ Markets – in an
From left: Cummins Sales
and Service Vice President of
OEM Business Lance Arnett,
Kish-Bailey, and Cummins’
employees Lindsey Andrews
and Katie Roessler. The
Cummins Foundation grant
supported the work of Roessler
to update the food shelf
warehouse.
effort to build awareness of needs and
connect with civic-minded individuals
who can give of their time, talents and
resources to further the mission of the
organizations.
Andrea Kish-Bailey, Executive
Director WBAEFS, says, “As
nonprofits continue to play a
more active role in community
building, citizens begin to better
understand the relationship
between giving and receiving.
Volunteers are looking to make
an impact in their community.
Nonprofits are the vehicle.”
WBAEFS has served the White Bear
community since 1977. In 2017,
WBAEFS provided 602,205 meals to
3,900 individuals (unduplicated) – an
increase of 24 percent over 2016. Of
the individuals served, 51 percent were
children, and 11 percent were seniors
over the age of 65. On any given month,
over 600 families visit the food shelf for
food and support. To qualify for service,
neighbors must live within or have a child
enrolled in the White Bear Lake School
District 624 and self-identify a need for
food. Neighbors initially meet with a
resource worker who conducts a brief
assessment, provides referral connections
to other community resources and assists
with additional support as needed.