Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Every Meal supports Minnesota children by filling the food gaps children face during weekends, summers, and extended breaks when they are not in school to access school meal programs. 1,692,266 meals were available free to children at over 500 locations last year. The relationship between nutrition, health, and learning is undeniable. Nutrition plays a critical role in the physical and mental development of children and youth. Research shows students are better able to learn, have fewer absences, and have improved behavior (e.g., concentration, interaction with peers, activity levels) with better nutrition.
Current Goals
Every Meal’s primary focus is filling the weekend food gap by serving students during their critical developmental years, Pre-K through 8th grade.Through our Weekend Meal Program, a 4-5 pound tailored meal bag is sent home with students every Friday to combat the “weekend food gap”, when students do not have access to school meals. This year, this program is offered in 375 schools across 39 school districts, serving approximately 12,000 students weekly.
Community or Constituency Served
Elementary and Middle school children in Minnesota.
Geographic Area Served
In our latest fiscal year we served children in the following Minnesota cities: Adrian, Albertville, Andover, Anoka, Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Cambridge, Cannon Falls, Carver, Champlin, Chanhassen, Chaska, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Cottage Grove, Crystal, Dayton, Delano, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Elk River, Farmington, Fridley, Golden Valley, Goodhue, Ham Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Isanti, Jordan, Lake City, Lake Elmo, Lakeville, Little Canada, Long Lake, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Mazeppa, Minneapolis, Minnetrista, Monticello, Mora, Mound, New Hope, New Prague, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Osseo, Otsego, Plymouth, Red Wing, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Rockford, Rogers, Rosemount, Roseville, Savage, Shakopee, Shoreview, South St. Paul, St Paul Park, St. Cloud, St. Louis Park, St. Michael, St. Paul, Victoria, Wabasha, Watertown, West Saint Paul, Woodbury, Worthington, Zimmerman, Zumbrota
