Hunger Relief Organizations Serving the East Metro

360 Communities: Their network of five food shelves provides food and resources to individuals and families to bridge them through difficult times. Food shelves located in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount serve individuals from the surrounding communities as well as the greater south metro.

Every Meal: Every Meal focuses on filling the food gaps children face, especially on weekends when they’re not able to eat school meals. Through their primary Weekend Meal Program, children in Pre-K through 8th grade experiencing food insecurity receive weekend food bags directly and discreetly in their backpacks at about 375 schools across Minnesota.

The Food Group: The Food Group is a nonprofit working toward food justice and equity. For over 45 years, they have been providing nutritious and quality foods to people across 30+ counties in Minnesota. They offer a searchable listing of help across the state so you can find food support close to home.

Hastings Family Service: Hastings Family Service provides nutritious foods for individuals and families through the Market food shelf programs, Meals on Wheels, and supportive services for residents of Independent School District 200.

Keystone Community Services: Keystone Community Services provides food services or crisis support to young people, family and seniors. Those ways include food shelves, a foodmobile and a free farmer’s market. Keystone accepts food donations for various food shelves in Ramsey County in addition to their foodmobile, which travels throughout Saint Paul and the northern suburbs carrying nutritious food to people in need.

Loaves and Fishes: Loaves and Fishes serves free, healthy meals to Minnesotans in need. It offers a variety of meal programs to more than 90 outlets, including student meals and snacks, free produce markets, street outreach and public dining. Loaves and Fishes also grows fresh produce on its local farm. Volunteer opportunities at Loaves and Fishes range from serving a meal to tending the field.

Metro Meals on Wheels: Metro Meals on Wheels is a community-based service that provides fresh, nutritious meals delivered directly to the homes of seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the Twin Cities. This organization does not accept food, but does appreciate volunteers willing to deliver or prepare nutritious meals. If you’re interested in doing more, you can also donate.

Neighborhood House: Neighborhood House's Food Support Program includes two free food markets, fresh produce distribution events and other food support related services and assistance.

Open Arms of Minnesota: Open Arms prepares and delivers medically tailored meals at no cost to critically ill Minnesotans and their loved ones. View a recent Corner Conversations video about Open Arms.

Open Cupboard: Open Cupboard feeds the community through a drive-up food shelf, delivery program and two Today’s Harvest locations in Oakdale and Maplewood. Today's Harvest is a free market that provides fresh produce, meat, dairy and bakery items rescued each day from local grocery stores, farms and other partners. Services are open to anyone in need of food, regardless of where they live.

Second Harvest Heartland: As one of the nation’s largest hunger relief agencies, and in partnership with more than 1,000 food shelves and hunger-relief programs in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, Second Harvest Heartland provided more than 145 million meals in 2024. They help families enroll in food assistance and provide prepared meals for people who need more than groceries. Second Harvest Heartland is a leader, convener and voice in hunger-related policy discussions.

The Open Door: The Open Door is Dakota County’s largest hunger relief organization, powered by neighbors helping neighbors. They make sure everyone who needs it has access to the freshest, healthiest food – delivered with dignity and care.

Valley Outreach: Valley Outreach is a community-based organization in Stillwater that provides basic needs services and support to individuals of all ages. Their programs include a food shelf and client support services. They accept non-perishable, unopened food items all year long, as well as fresh garden produce during the summer and fall months.

White Bear Area Food Shelf: The White Bear Area Food Shelf has served as a critical resource for families experiencing food insecurity since 1977. They work toward eliminating barriers that have traditionally limited access to healthy food for families living on a low or fixed income in the White Bear Lake area.

With these and other nonprofit organizations working on eliminating hunger in our community, you can find ways to donate your time or your funds to ensure all Minnesotans have access to healthy, locally grown, nutritious meals.