Some of the most requested items at ECHO:

  • Cereal
  • Pasta & Pasta Sauce
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • Boxed Main Dishes
  • Condiments
  • Juice
  • Personal Care Items
  • Diapers & Wipes (Larger sizes and pull-ups)

We cannot accept home-canned foods.

Garden Produce

Is your garden overflowing with fruits and veggies? If you have a garden, consider donating some of your excess produce to people in need in our community. If you have a recipe or recommendation on how to cook your produce, it would be appreciated.

Drop off garden produce and other donations:
9am – 4:30pm
Monday through Friday

Garden Produce Wanted:

Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions, Melons, Corn, Potatoes, Eggplant, Squash, Beans, Peas, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Beets, Tomatillos, Garlic, Cabbage, Cucumbers, Turnips, Carrots, Zucchini, Pumpkins, Apples, Plums, and Raspberries

Refrain from donating:

Leafy Greens (Poor Shelf Life), damaged or old produce

Produce Donation Tip:

Bring produce earlier in the week. There is less chance of spoilage if we don’t have to store it over the weekend.

Financial Contributions

Make the most of your contribution by sending money directly to ECHO Food Shelf. Through the regional food bank, Second Harvest Heartland, we can purchase food and other needed items at pennies on the dollar. We use 96% of cash donations to purchase and distribute food for residents of Blue Earth County and North Mankato.

Checks can be mailed to:

P.O. Box 3212,
Mankato, MN 56002,

or dropped off at our location.

Or use the DONATE button at the top of the website to Donate Online!

A food donation is also a great way to support ECHO Food Shelf. Any donations can be dropped off at our location. Non-perishable items can also be dropped off in the collection boxes at area churches. See List of Churches. If your church doesn’t have a collection box, see if you can start one!

Organize a Food Drive

Find more information on our Food Drives page and please see our Food/Fund Drive Kit (PDF) to get started!

*Perishable items are accepted, but not recommended, for food drives. Please contact us if you have any questions.