Spring, planting, plants, grow, happy, Pine River, Backus, MN, Food Shelf
Your family
support &
resource
center
Current Events
PRBFC Happenings
Curious about programs and Public Health scheduling at the Family Center? Check out the monthly Happenings! This lists everything going on at the Family Center for the entire month, less a few changes to our business hours due to fluctuating staff schedules and training days. For changes in our business hours, check our Facebook Page or Instagram!
We're Hiring!
Position: Executive Director
Lead the Pine River-Backus & Northland Area Family Centers! We’re looking for a mission-driven leader to oversee programs, staff, budgets, and community partnerships. If you’re passionate about supporting families and building strong communities, this is your chance to make a big impact! Open until filled.
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Food Shelf
The Pine River Area Food Shelf is open 1st, 3rd, 4th & 5th Tuesdays 10 - 1, 2nd Tuesdays 3 - 6, and Fridays 10 - 1. We proudly partner with local farmers to purchase fresh, local produce, eggs, honey, and more—supporting our neighbors and bringing healthy options to our shelves. We are set up for self-shopping, but if you’re not feeling well, we’re happy to shop for you and have your order ready for pickup. Just call Chelsea at 218-587-4292.
CommUnity Meals
A local collaborative effort has been put together to provide a free weekly meal for anyone who is hungry. Meals are pick-up only on Mondays at the Riverview Church in Pine River or Thursdays at the Pine Mountaineer Senior Center in Backus. Serving time is from 4pm until every meal is gone. Meals will not be served until 4pm.​
FOR NEWS & UPDATES
visit us on Facebook
Family Center Hours:
Mon. - Thurs. 8 - 4
Friday 8 - 3
Food Shelf Hours:
1st, 3rd, 4th & 5th Tuesdays 10 - 1
2nd Tuesdays 3 - 6
Fridays 10 - 1
2026 PRBFC Holiday Closures:
January 1st – New Years Day
January 19th – Martin Luther King Day
February 16th – President’s Day
May 25th – Memorial Day
Jun 19th – Juneteenth
July 4th – Independence Day
September 7th – Labor Day
November 11th – Veteran’s Day
November 26th-27th – Thanksgiving
December 24th – January 1st - Christmas week
*For Food Shelf closures, follow us on Facebook
using the link above!
Our Programs at a Glance:
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Food Shelf Needs
For those who wish to donate items rather than money, here is a list of items the Pine River Area Food Shelf is short on. There are donation boxes in the hallway between the Family Center and Food Shelf doors for non-perishable items if you choose to donate anonymously. If you're donating perishables or a large amount of items, please speak with someone in the Family Center or Food Shelf during business hours. Thank you, Donors!
Volunteers Needed
The Pine River Area Food Shelf is looking for able-bodied volunteers to help with food distribution twice weekly. We also need volunteers to help with shopping and stocking shelves, as well as greeting shoppers and helping with intake. Volunteers alternate so no one works every food shelf day. If you or someone you know is interested, please give us a call!
Upcoming Events
Recent Events
Salty Dog Fundraiser 2025
Thank you to everyone at the Salty Dog Saloon & Eatery in Backus who helped with the fundraiser or came out for a pulled pork sandwich! We hope you were able to enjoy the company of friends and neighbors as well as that delicious meal while raising funds to support local families! Thank you all for your kindness and your support! We couldn't do what we do without you all.​
TDS Drive-Thru Food Drive
TDS Telecom hosted a Drive-Thru Food Drive to benefit the Pine River Area Food Shelf! Donations of non-perishable foods and funds were dropped off, and TDS matched all contributions up to $250. The funds and foods collected during this food drive will go a long way to help support local families this holiday season. Thank you, TDS for your willingness to serve our community, and thank you donors!
Meal Kit Donation
We recently received a large donation of fully assembled meal kits from a group of generous local community members. If your household could use help with an easy meal this season, please stop by the Pine River Area Food Shelf during open hours to pick one up while supplies last. We're grateful to our community for making it possible to support families in need.
Prepared Meals Grant
Community Meals is funded in part by the Prepared Meals grant program, helping us provide weekly free, hot meals for our community. Grant oversight is provided by Leslie Bouchonville, the Family Center's Executive Director, with management support from Chelsea Bixby.
Questions may be directed to: director@prbfamilycenter.org or 218-587-4292.
Initiative Foundation Grant
The Initiative Foundation and Otto Bremer recently granted $15,000 to the Pine River Area Food Shelf to collaborate with local farmers. These farmers will provide fresh produce such as fruits, veggies, eggs and honey so that the hungry in our community have access to the freshest of foods when they come to our Food Shelf.