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Mark Weizel, 47, spent time with his grandson Roland Dorr, 5, on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, at their home in Excelsior, Minn. Weizel, a maintenance mechanic, moved his family of five into his brother-in-law's one-bedroom home about two years ago when they weren't able to make the rent at their home in Shakopee, Minn. They had anticipated being here only a couple of months, but then Weizel lost his job. Since then, he has struggled to find steady work, taking temporary jobs as they come. The family visits the ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka, but still has trouble getting enough for nutritious meals. They also get help from local churches and from His House and Resource West, local nonprofits. Weizel first sought help last fall, when his grandson was hungry, and Weizel realized the refrigerator contained nothing but one egg and some butter. Transportation is also a significant cost to the family. They have one vehicle and drive 200 miles a day to get Weizel, his wife and their daughter to their jobs all over the suburbs. Weizel says it is hard to be struggling in a community where people have million-dollar homes.
Caroline Yang for MPR
Gallery
11 of 11
Alicia Caskinette, 27, of Apple Valley, visited the Eagan Resource Center with her family on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011. The food shelf has seen a 50 percent increase in the number of people visiting since 2010. Some of that increase is likely due to an expansion; the food shelf recently opened a new facility in Lakeville. However, food shelf director Lisa Horn says need is up as well. While there has always been hunger in the area, Horn sees a growing number of people who are middle class and have never before visited a food shelf. Sometimes those people are hesitant to come the first time. They park across the parking lot or call to cancel their appointment. Women come without telling their husbands, and men without telling their wives. Horn says some of these people have found jobs, and have quickly returned to give back, with time or money.
Caroline Yang for MPR
1 of 11
Mark Weizel, 47, spent time with his grandson Roland Dorr, 5, on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, at their home in Excelsior, Minn. Weizel, a maintenance mechanic, moved his family of five into his brother-in-law's one-bedroom home about two years ago when they weren't able to make the rent at their home in Shakopee, Minn. They had anticipated being here only a couple of months, but then Weizel lost his job. Since then, he has struggled to find steady work, taking temporary jobs as they come. The family visits the ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka, but still has trouble getting enough for nutritious meals. They also get help from local churches and from His House and Resource West, local nonprofits. Weizel first sought help last fall, when his grandson was hungry, and Weizel realized the refrigerator contained nothing but one egg and some butter. Transportation is also a significant cost to the family. They have one vehicle and drive 200 miles a day to get Weizel, his wife and their daughter to their jobs all over the suburbs. Weizel says it is hard to be struggling in a community where people have million-dollar homes.
Caroline Yang for MPR
2 of 11
Roland Dorr, 5, plays on the bed where he sleeps with his grandmother on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 in Excelsior, Minn. The family of five - four adults and Roland - have been sleeping in this room for the past two years. Roland and his grandmother sleep on the bed, while the other three adults use the recliners, sofa and floor.
Caroline Yang for MPR
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