Fergus Falls Community Members Working to Keep People Fed During Government Shutdown

The Be A Villager Community Feed-a-Thon will be held on November 12, 2025. (Jeney Christensen)

Fergus Falls, MN – After 37 days, the U.S. is in the longest shutdown in its history, and because of it, people all over the country are struggling to make ends meet.

While millions of Americans are worrying about how to keep food on the table, there are people like Jeney Christensen in Fergus Falls that are finding ways to help others in their community. Jeney says she’s been frustrated with the shutdown, especially its effect on people’s SNAP benefits, “So I thought, ‘How can I help? How can I be a helper in this moment?'”

Since then, Jeney, with the support of a team of community members and leaders, has pulled together the “Be a Villager Community Feed-a-Thon,” an event where volunteers will be assembling and organizing meal kits, baby food, formula, and other supplies to distribute to those in need. She says she doesn’t just want to feed people, but also give them the ability to cook their own home meals, “We’re giving them some dignity back. You can always just give people a box of Mac and Cheese, but sometimes it’s really nice for them to be able to pull a meal together for their family in a pot and serve it into the bowl.”

Jeney is urging people who are struggling to come and get the assistance. She says, “Please, there’s no shame. We’re all here to help. There’s no need to feel embarrassed. We want to feed you. We want to help you. We want to be there for you.”

The Be a Villager Community Feed-a-Thon will take place on Wednesday, November 12 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the YMCA of the Northern Sky. Jeney says they are still looking for volunteers to help distribute food on the day of the event, as well as food and monetary donations. Click here to find out more on how you can help.