(Grand Rapids, MN, May 19, 2026, 8:00 AM CDT) – UPM is supporting Second Harvest Northland to help ensure families across Itasca County have reliable access to nutritious food, reinforcing the company’s long-standing commitment to youth, education, and community well-being.
“We value our partnerships with organizations that bring hope by expanding food access. Our employees have volunteered and donated for years, and this support helps ensure their impact continues in meaningful ways,” said Lori Gill, Human Resources Manager at UPM Blandin.
With growing strain on local food resources, UPM responded to an increasing need in the region. Inflation, the government shutdown, and last fall’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pause drove a 16% increase in visits across Second Harvest Northland’s 70 food shelves in Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin. At the same time, the organization faced reduced federal and state support, higher fuel costs, and the announced closure of Ruby’s Pantry.
“We know we can’t do our work alone. UPM’s support ensures continued access to nourishing food for families, children, and seniors across Grand Rapids and greater Itasca County,” said Trisha Zimmerman, Director of Development with Second Harvest Northland.
Last year, Second Harvest Northland distributed 1.5 million pounds of food in Itasca County alone supporting over 50,000 children, adults, and seniors through food shelves, school pantries, and mobile pantry programs serving the communities where UPM employees live and work.
Through its Share and Care program, UPM partners with local organizations to strengthen youth support, education, and climate and biodiversity.
For further information please contact:
Lori Gill, Manager, HR, UPM Blandin, lori.gill@upm.com
Photo: (left) Lori Gill, UPM Blandin Human Resources Manager; Anthony Osland, UPM Blandin Forestry Intern; and Adam Sutherland, UPM Blandin Wood Procurement Manager.
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About Second Harvest
Second Harvest Northland is the region’s only “food bank,” accessing nationally and regionally donated and purchased product for over 100 agency and community partners (food shelves, on-site meal programs, and tribal organizations), 275 programs, and approximately 70,000 food-insecure children, seniors and adults throughout 15 counties in NE Minnesota (St. Louis, Carlton, Lake, Cook, Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca, Koochiching, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs counties) and NW Wisconsin (Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland and Iron counties). In addition to providing food to other non-profit programs, Second Harvest provides support to thousands of neighbors directly as part of its Food Shelf, Mobile Food Pantry, Nutrition for Seniors, School Pantry and BackPack Programs. Over the last year, Second Harvest has accessed and distributed nearly 13 million pounds of food or the equivalent of nearly 11 million meals for people experiencing hunger throughout the Northland.