Nonprofit Provides Meals For North Minneapolis Students
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Many of us take for granted where our next meal will come from. Women who work to make a difference have answered that question for students at a school in north Minneapolis.
Volunteers with the nonprofit Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul have been meeting unmet needs in the community for 20 years now. The nonprofit calls it a perfect partnership.
"Food and security remains a challenge for many families," Becky Debol said.
That's why Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul placed importance on feeding kids. Each Thursday volunteers line up to pack bags of food for each student at River Bend Education Center.
"They have kids who didn't have a lot of food for the weekend, so these are emergency packs intended to feed a child for the weekend. It is extra food also so they can share it with their siblings and their families," Debol said.
The idea is to provide two breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners to get students from Friday night through Sunday. Each biodegradable bag is packed by compassionate women.
"It is also is filling such an important need. It's a way to be hands on and helping families in the community but not necessarily having to be in the schools," Mary Dries said.
The room tucked away in a Hopkins warehouse is full of smiles, packing until all 155 bags are complete.
"We load the boxes into volunteer vehicles and then those volunteers take the boxes and deliver them to the schools," Dries said.
"They've been an incredible partner of River Bend," social worker Britt Engrav said.
Engrav explains students with a full stomach are able to better learn and feel better about their community. She also said the response from parents has been overwhelming.
"This has increased positive parent-child relationships with one another. It's helped students feel better about coming to school. Some parents have mentioned that it's great for their child to bring the food packs home and that they can provide some additional food for the family," Engrav said.
It makes a difference to the students too.
"It means a lot to me because then we have more food at our house," student Charles Davis said.
For Assistance League volunteers, hearing that makes all of their effort worthwhile.
"We impact a lot of lives, we make it easier for families and that's kind of what our mission is. To help them out, try to make life a little easier for them," Dries said.
Assistance League also partners with a second elementary school in north Minneapolis. The program is possible through donations, a Thrift Store run by volunteers and fundraisers. The nonprofit will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a gala and fashion show on May 5 at Golden Valley Golf and Country Club.
Click here for more information on the gala and Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
