School is out, but Every Meal’s work continues all summer
Although the school year has ended, Every Meal’s work continues all summer long. The summer break – for many children – can come with a big question, “How will I get food?”
This summer is expected to be a hungry one for many children and families. Every Meal is here to help provide food support. Through our summer programming, including piloting a new Summer Meal Program, we are able to ensure children remain nourished with good food and ready to thrive going into the next school year.
Every Meal is buzzing this summer to ensure children remain nourished with good food and ready to thrive going into the next school year. Below is a glimpse into our summer work and ways you can get involved – including donating produce, volunteering in Every Meal’s garden, or making a financial gift (with the bonus of a generous $50,000 donor-funded match to make your contribution go further!)
SUMMER MEAL PROGRAM!
Many children experience a food gap after summer school programs have ended but the school year has not yet begun. Through this new pilot, Every Meal is helping to close the food gap by making our food bags accessible in various community sites in the Twin Cities and beyond.
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY WITH OUR GROW & GIVE PROGRAM
There are many ways you can dig into our work to bring fresh fruits and veggies to children and families this summer.
- Grow & Give Produce: Give produce you grow from your garden at home, neighborhood, business, or faith community.
- Volunteer at Every Meal’s Garden: Help with planting, maintenance, and harvesting of our garden in Roseville.
- Donate: Fund our Grow & Give Program by making a financial gift.
Q&A WITH MELANIE GROW & GIVE GARDEN ASSOCIATE
Q: How are you using your gardening skills?
A: I’m involved in everything from planning, preparing, and planting to weeding, observing, and documenting. I’ve helped plan plant rotation, companion planting, and succession planting. I’ve worked with energetic groups to add wood chips, top beds with soil, and plant. Now it’s a lot of weeding, waiting, and maintenance. And of course, I look forward to harvesting.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
In May, Lakewinds Food Co-op selected Every Meal as the recipient of their Community Giving Round Up program, raising $16,434.20! To sweeten the deal, they donated all the plants and seeds in our Grow & Give garden. Families will also receive fresh produce in their donated reusable bags.
Thank you for helping support children and families living with food insecurity in our community!
DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT
We’re 100% community funded and every dollar goes right to work feeding kids. Thanks to a generous pledge from an anonymous fund of the Minneapolis Foundation, donations this summer will be matched dollar for dollar. Help us earn the full $50,000 match!
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT
Long-time volunteers share how they continue to find meaning through their service.
“We encourage anyone to get involved – attend a packing event to see how much fun it is and see the difference your time makes.” – Wendy & Kent Dorholt
“We’ve enjoyed making a difference by providing food for families in need. Our advice is to get involved with making a difference for others.” – Sue & Dan Lehrer
BERRY KALE POPSICLE RECIPE
Ingredients:
1 cup orange juice
1 1/2 cups kale
1 cup frozen berries
1 banana, peeled and frozen
Directions: In a blender, blend orange juice and kale until well combined. Add berries and banana until blended smooth. Pour mixture into popsicle molds or an ice cube tray and freeze.