While many tables will groan under the weight of holiday feasts in these coming weeks, an unprecedented amount of Minnesotans will go hungry. But in Southwest Minneapolis, a yoga studio is spearheading an effort to fill this growing need with a weeklong food drive and by dedicating a portion of its monthly profits to an organization providing food relief.

Margaret Gordon Schloegel, owner of Invisible Bee Yoga Studio, is a strong believer in Karma yoga, which emphasizes generosity. As the cold holiday season dawns, Schloegel's thoughts frequently turn to those suffering from hunger and homelessness.  "Giving back to the community has always been very important," Schloegel said.

The Invisible Bee this week is hosting a food drive, from which proceeds will go to the Emergency Foodshelf Network, a non-profit agency that provides food to Minnesotans at 238 locations across the state. At Invisible Bee, they hope to fill two large barrels with 250 pounds of food.

The beneficiaries of Schloegel's efforts aren't far from the studio.  Sabathani Community Center, across Interstate 35 in the Powderhorn neighborhood, hosts a food shelf supported by the Emergency Foodshelf Network.

Patrick Johnson, of Minneapolis, has depended on monthly visits to the food shelf to feed his family since losing his job this past June. "My baby girl doesn't eat much yet," Johnson said. "But I've got my two older kids and wife to think about." 

In 2009, with the assistance of numerous volunteers and donations from surrounding neighborhoods, the Sabathani operation served about 24,000 people by distributing 588,000 pounds of food throughout South Minneapolis.

"We see people who have been poor for a long time," said Sandra Richardson, the center's family resources manager. "We see new people who are using social services for the first time."

The current economic crisis has driven a record number of Minnesotans to seek assistance from food shelves and other social services. To meet the demand, many food shelves are looking to lengthen operating hours, which puts a greater demand on volunteers.

"There isn't a food shortage," said Jill Hiebert, from Hunger Solutions Minnesota. "But the challenge will be a shortage of resources that help individuals access the food." 

Arriving from New York only a few years ago, Schloegel is impressed by how passionately Twin Cities residents serve their communities.

"Yoga began to wake me up to the beauty in the world and the beauty in other people," she said. "I believe yoga can change people and, by changing people, it can change the world."

Three ways to help fight hunger in Southwest Minneapolis

Jill Hiebert of Hunger Solutions Minnesota advises how you can get involved, starting with the holiday season.

1) Participate in or donate to the Walk to End Hunger on Nov. 25, Thanksgiving morning at the Mall of America.

2) Call your local food shelf to see what particular products are greatly needed. Cash donations are great because organizations can buy food for "pennies on the pound" from a food bank like the Emergency Foodshelf Network.

3) Volunteer! Food shelves always need help taking and sorting donations.

Check out Hunger Solutions to find a food shelf near you.