GET FOOD
The Lakes Area Food Shelf is committed to ensuring that no one in the Brainerd Lakes Area goes hungry.
We utilize ”choice shopping", which means that it is set up like a grocery store, and you will choose your food and personal care items from our store. Shelves are restocked throughout the day, so everyone has equal access to offerings, regardless of their shopping day or time. We purchase food, accept food donations and rescue food past its Best Buy date from local grocery and convenience stores. As a shopper, you agree to accept the food "as is". No sale of food is allowed.
Please remember to bring reusable bags or boxes for your groceries. We do not provide grocery bags or boxes.
We have two locations in Crow Wing County -- Pequot Lakes and Baxter (opening April 2026).
Pequot Lakes -- 29316 Patriot Ave, Pequot Lakes
Tuesday 9 AM - 12 PM
Wednesday 3 PM - 6 PM
Thursday 9 AM - 12 PM
Lakes Area Food Shelf(Pequot) may be closed if Pequot Schools are closed due to inclement weather. If the roads are too dangerous for buses to travel, then the same applies to our volunteers.
Baxter location -- 7837 Excelsior Rd, Baxter (Opening April 2026)
Tuesday 9 AM - 2 PM
Wednesday 1 PM - 6 PM
Thursday 9 AM - 2 PM
To save our shoppers time, Lakes Area Food Shelf-Baxter uses an appointment system to reserve 20-minute shopping appointments. Following each food shelf visit, shoppers will receive an email inviting them to schedule their next appointment. Food shelf shoppers are encouraged to shop twice per month. Click the blue button "Sign Up for a Food Shelf Appointment" below to schedule an appointment.
Lakes Area Food Shelf - Baxter may be closed if Brainerd Schools are closed due to inclement weather. If the roads are too dangerous for buses to travel, then the same applies to our volunteers.
Eligibility
Any household making less than 300% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is eligible. Current year levels can be accessed at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty. We do not require any documentation to visit the food shelf. We have a simple registration process where we request basic household information. Volunteers are available to help our neighbors through every step of the process.