Nearly a year ago, Patricia left her job running a restaurant so she could take care of her three grandchildren who were placed in her custody.

“The kids needed me at home,” she shares. Knowing that her fixed income couldn’t keep up with the growing appetites of the 11-year-old twins and their 9-year-old sibling she sought and received additional support. “For them to open the fridge and get what they want is amazing,” she shares, “They open it up 50 times a day, and that’s ok.”

Thanks to our partnership with regional retailers, families like Patricia’s are able to access fresh, convenient meals when budgets are tight. Our food bank, agency partners, or more recently volunteers, pick up prepared food like salads, sandwiches, chicken, fresh fruit and vegetables, from places like Super One Foods, Cub Foods, Kwik Trip and others. The food is then distributed fresh and immediate to families through local food shelves, shelters and youth programs. “We have quick food one night and a big meal the next night,” she shares. They love the quick food.”