KSTP says the theft came just days before an annual giveaway and has left three congregations scrambling to feed almost 200 needy Twin Cities families.

Nearly eight years after a fire destroyed a family’s home in Prior Lake, the homeowner’s son has been convicted of intentionally setting the blaze, possibly in an attempt to obtain insurance money for the family. It was an unusual case in that it took so long to be resolved. Charges were filed in December 2009 – just one day before the case would have reached its statute of limitations.

Second Harvest Heartland was skeptical last year when the Minnesota Pork Producers dropped off 2,000 pounds of meat and promised to double the donation this year. But the group was gratefully surprised when the hog farmers came back Tuesday with 5,000 pounds of pork. Second Harvest will distribute it among 1,000 food banks around the state.

Donations of nonperishable foods have leveled off as stores get more efficient about handling their inventories. To pick up the slack, Second Harvest Heartland is turning to vegetables and other fresh foods to supply the neediest Minnesotans.

Rogue's Chicken was destroyed and other nearby food vendors were damaged as six area fire departments converged on the festival.