If you look around, you might start seeing signs around your neighborhood for “FreeFoodforKids.com.”
I did and checked them out online. I then learned that this is a new program sponsored by a local church called Creative Church. Creative Church partnered with other area churches to provide free food for kids, and anyone can pick up the food. No questions asked. No registration or ID needed. Just show up and pick it up!
I went to the Coon Rapids location today and talked with Pastor Brandon Fleeman at North Point Church, which was the pickup site for today. He was a delight to talk with, and explained how it works. They have locations right now from Mondays to Saturdays every week. There’s a different location each day around the Twin Cities metro area, and at each location during the designated date and time, the food is outside in a truck, ready to be given out in bags by volunteers.
They will be distributing the food through at least December, and all you have to do is show up and get the food.
Volunteers ask how many kids and then give bags of food and milk for each child to be fed. Kids don’t need to be with you and you can ask for food for however many kids you can get the food to – even your neighbors.
They have so much that they want people to just show up and get it or it has to be thrown away. That’s their goal – to spread the word.
While I explained 5 reasons to pick up the free food from your child’s school district in a popular post last year, this program is different yet similar in some ways. In short, they want everyone to know that there is plenty for everyone, so don’t hesitate to pick it up. They hope to grow and expand to more sites so more can be reached, and by letting others know, you can help more kids be fed.
These are difficult times and childhood hunger is a looming crisis. But it doesn’t have to be.
When I got home I unloaded the bags I picked up – there was so much food!
Here’s what there was (everything perishable was frozen or refrigerated):
- Chicken nuggets
- Bean & cheese burritos
- Cheese pizza
- Hot dogs with buns
- Cheese omelets
- Cereal
- Carrots
- Apples
- Oranges
- Cheese sticks
- Juice (Fruit, Orange and Dragon Juice in the pink cartons)
- Dried cranberries and raisins
- Graham Crackers
- Goldfish crackers
- Peanut butter
- Mini Cinnis
- Milk
There was even a printout with the menu for the week and daily activities for your kids to do!
I had asked for food only for my 2 kids but they said they had so much – is there anyone else who can use them? Can your kids use extra food? I took enough for 2 more kids, and gave them to my neighbor who hasn’t been able to pick up the free food from our school district because she works at that time (I’ve had the same issue, actually). So this is a great option for families who may not be able to get the food from the school district, or who may just need any extra food they can get.
Distribution Locations and Times:
Here are the current distribution locations and times, but because they just started, be sure to check their website for new locations and times added!
Mondays 11:00am – 3:00pm:
Coon Rapids
NorthPoint Church
10732 Hanson Blvd NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55443
Tuesdays 11:00am – 3:00pm:
Minneapolis South Location
St Paul’s Lutheran Church
1901 Portland Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Wednesdays 2:00pm – 5:00pm:
Minneapolis North Location
ICCM
2229 W Broadway
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Thursdays 11:00am – 3:00pm:
St. Paul Location
First Care Pregnancy
2019 Old Hudson Rd
St Paul, MN 55119
Fridays 9:00am – 9:00pm:
Fridley Location
Creative Church
7651 Hwy 65 NE
Fridley, MN 55432
Saturdays 11:00am – 3:00pm:
Downtown Minneapolis Location
Our Village Reunion
810 S 7th St
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Visit their website for information!
And check out my guide, How to Get Free Food in Minnesota during COVID: