Written by Ray Neset The Rev. Clifford Deeton, Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Baker, Minnesota, knew that the potato market was not good. He also knew that the potatoes still piled high in the storage houses up & down the Red River Valley would begin to go soft in a few weeks.

Unable to sell them, the growers would have to dump millions of pounds of surplus crop. Deeton contacted the Reverend Thomas Zemek, Urban Mission Specialist on staff of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies who eventually put him in touch with the man to handle the Minneapolis end of the operation of delivering the potatoes to those in need.

Hy Rosen, Resource Director & one of the founders of the all-purpose social and community development agency, Pilot City, was the man. Five weeks, twenty-five trucks, several hundred volunteers, one million, twenty five thousand pounds of potatoes later, the hungry of Minneapolis were fed.

That was many years ago, and although Hy's hair is grayer and his shoulders are more stooped, his spirit and determination haven't waned a bit. In May of 2006, Hy was recognized as "Minnesota's #1 Hunger Fighter", for 40 years of service providing leadership in food programs serving Hennepin County families and seniors.

Hy is also one of the co-founders of Second Harvest Food Network and this is only a couple of examples in his lifetime of accomplishments. Several years ago, a former business partner & friend, told me about the Greater Lake Country Food Bank Inc., that started in 1980. Her neighbor had taken her there to buy food for an outdoor BBQ. I was surprised that she was going to a food shelf to shop for the event.

She explained to me that unlike food shelves, GLC is a food bank and that shopping there helped to support it. Later During the mid-nineties, prior to her return to L.A., she and her husband volunteered and later worked part-time for the food bank.

She began telling me about Hy Rosen, one of the founders of GLC, the mensch that ran the organization. Having grown up in the Bronx and spending years in L.A., she was not easily fooled or impressed by self-promoters. She clearly loved and respected Hy.

I hadn't thought much about the food bank after I moved out of the North side until an unemployed friend needed to make the most of his grocery money. We took a trip to GLC and I was happy to see the mensch was still hard at work. Hy came out to say, "Hello," and he gave me his usual warm and personal touch. I'm sure he didn't remember me, but it didn't matter. He talked up the fillet mignon and the various kosher selections. He showed me the great price on corned beef and frozen pork chops too.

After making our selections and while we were checking out, I asked the woman at the counter about their website. I was surprised when she informed me that they didn't have one, but that they'd like to get one started. She seemed disappointed that not as many people knew about the food bank as had in the past. I

 stopped by with a friend today, to talk to Hy. The walls of Hy's office are filled with photos and awards and "thank you" notes from children’s' groups and presidents and everyone in between. Hy is truly a man who has touched many lives. Hy began his service to his fellow man in 1940 by raising money for the Red Cross. While sitting in his humble office, looking at those accolades, Hy seems to have achieved what eludes most politicians.

While Hy's achievements are many, he never boasts. He is one of the most humble men I have ever had the honor of meeting. After a lifetime of service to the poor & needy, he hasn't become jaded. He never tires of serving others. Instead, he has the energy and drive of a much younger man. He has supporters from both sides of the political aisle. To know him, is to love him.

During our time together, he spoke glowingly of the great men and small alike, who have touched his life; Clinton, Humphrey, Freeman, Ramstad, Sabo, Hatch, Durenberger, Frenzel and Wellstone. "Hubert H. Humphrey stood for housing, hunger, health," he said with a smile. "Humphrey was a humble man," he added with obvious admiration. Hy spoke Jim Ramstad's name with the same esteem and respect, as he related an anecdote about Ramstad's personal relationship with Paul Wellstone.

On his wall is an award with a quote from the Prophet Isaiah, "If you offer your compassion to the hungry and satisfy the famished creature, then shall your light shine in darkness and your gloom shall be like noonday." Only a great prophet or a poet could describe Hy so accurately.

I cannot overstate Hy's humility. He never boasts of his achievements, only those of others. He proudly displayed the ring his daughter gave him from her trip to Israel. "This is my name. Hyman means LIFE in Hebrew." Clearly his parents had high expectations of him and I doubt they were disappointed. He adds with a smile, "She's a doctor."

Service to others is something that runs in the Rosen family. My friend had never been to GLC, so Hy showed us both around the facility. He noted that they aren't into flashy new equipment; they have a very low over-head. He's not kidding, the facility is as humble as Hy.

Every two weeks they deliver free of charge to over 4000 residents in 43 hi-rises, the equivalent of $30 to $45 in fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish, poultry, cereal, soup, pasta, peanut butter, jam and trail mix. At Easter and Christmas, they serve hot meals to approximately 900 senior hi-rise residents. Of the store located at 554 8th Ave. N, Hy says, "We're not here to compete, but to help the food shelves. We help out shelters like Mary's Place and Pastor Paul. They get free food if we have it."

For their in-store shopper’s convenience, they also accept EBT and check cards. He suggests if people can't afford to buy everything they need at the super markets, "Stop here first. All I want is for people to know that we're here, support us by shopping, donating and volunteering." It seemed to me that the working poor of Minneapolis would find a great friend in Hy Rosen.

While we were talking, he received a call from someone selling space in the Yellow Pages. As he hung up the phone, he explained that they exist through word of mouth only; there's no money spent on advertising. The operation has a meager budget that only allows for five paid full-time and three part-time employees.

Hy was very excited about his latest venture in Arizona. On February 26th, he managed to get $2,400 in donations to have a semi load of fresh tomatoes, peppers, squash, onions and packaged salad brought to those in need in the metro. It was all given away within two weeks.

According to Hy there are millions of pounds of produce being dumped in Arizona. He lamented that in spite of press releases there was no media coverage of the shipment, otherwise he could have distributed it faster. Always optimistic, Hy hopes for more donations so that more produce can be saved and those in need can be fed.

I couldn't help thinking of the New Testament story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, both physically and spiritually. Hy is someone most people could only hope to emulate. When we were leaving, I pressed Hy for what GLC might need in addition to money. "Computers and a webmaster," he said as he motioned to the antiquated models in the office. "Trucks, volunteers and of course donations." I couldn't help thinking of the coming holiday and the task of feeding the 900 seniors.

"Our phone number is 612-340-9694, don't forget to tell your friends," he called out as we walked out the door. Hy, I'm not likely to forget, it's already programmed into my mobile. Thanks Hy for everything you continue to do for my neighbors and me, you've touched my life too. The Greater Lake Country Food Bank, Inc. 554 8th Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411 612-340-9694 Check out more articles at www.mplsmirror.com