Caitlin Lietzau recently joined the staff of Western Communities Action Network (WeCAN) as food program coordinator.
Lietzau is a licensed graduate social worker who received a master’s in social work from Augsburg College with an emphasis on program development, policy, and administration. She has a background in social service delivery and more than eight years of experience in customer service and client services.
Lietzau is coordinating WeCAN’s Mobile Market, which is a mobile food shelf that helps provide healthy food options for individuals and families in western Hennepin County who have barriers to accessing a traditional food shelf. She also coordinates the Kids’ Food Program, which is aimed at filling the gaps in food support for school-aged children over major school breaks.
“WeCAN is very fortunate to have Caitlin on board,” said Christie Larson, WeCAN executive director. “She is a highly motivated individual who is going to do great things for those in our community who need additional food assistance.”
The Mobile Market currently serves about 54 households in two low-income apartment complexes with two deliveries per month at each location. Deliveries include a packed bag of non-perishable food as well as eggs, milk, meat and an assortment of extra items such as bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, personal care items and condiments. For the Kids’ Food Program, the Mobile Market packs bags of food geared towards children, including healthy, energizing food and meals that require minimal preparation.
The Mobile Market has also partnered with WeCAN’s Meals-On-Wheels program to deliver monthly bags of groceries to qualified clients.
“We are thrilled to be able to expand this program and provide more assistance to home-bound individuals who have indicated the need for additional food support,” Lietzau said.
She has been focused on reaching out to food shelves in the WeCAN service area, as well as surrounding areas, to figure out gaps that WeCAN’s Mobile Market would be able to fill.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work together with other food shelves and businesses in the area to help expand the scope of the Mobile Market and better serve the needs of the community,” Lietzau said.
She believes the success of the Mobile Market will depend heavily on securing partnerships and collaborating with local businesses and other service agencies. There are many opportunities for the community to get involved with WeCAN’s Mobile Market including financial contributions, which can go directly toward securing food for clients, volunteer opportunities, such as helping pack delivery bags, delivering food, driving the van and sponsorship opportunities for the Mobile Market van and events organized through WeCAN.
When not working, Lietzau enjoys spending time with her husband, Jon, and their two-year-old daughter, Layla.
In addition to the Mobile Market and Meals-On-Wheels, WeCAN offers emergency assistance, family support programs, a jobs program and on-site referral services. Call WeCAN at (952) 472-0742 for more information.