A woman picking cherry tomato off the vine

Stories of Ending Hunger

The Second Harvest Heartland Blog

What it looks like to end hunger together

A Second Harvest Heartland volunteer hands out protein in the cold

Connecting Community For The Holidays

Second Harvest Heartland partnered with The Sanneh Foundation, Hy-Vee, and Hormel, to distribute Hormel Cure 81 hams, providing a much-requested holiday staple to families ahead of a busy holiday…

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Two volunteers packing food

2024 Second Harvest Heartland Holiday Gift Guide

Gift Differently! A unique gift guide that impacts your community for good.

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A person in the Volunteer Center packing

Alliant is Building Community Through Philanthropy and Volunteering

The employee-owned engineering and design firm lives out their mission by giving time and funds to hunger relief.

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A husband and wife at a food shelf

"Todo!" Angelica and Alberto's Story

Alberto and Angelica have been coming to Mi Casita Food Shelf for over a decade, even before they had a physical space.

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A woman in a food shelf

A High Note: Candy's Story

Candy visits the Mi Casita Food Shelf to help save a bit on groceries--money she puts toward her daughter's passion: music.

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A line of people at a produce distribution

Negotiating for Good: How a University of St. Thomas Class is Supporting a St. Paul Food Shelf

A University of St. Thomas class is teaming up with local hunger-relief organization Nourish Food Shelf to provide fundraising support this fall.

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A potato field with farm equipment at twilight.

Getting Potatoes Out of the Field and onto Neighbors’ Tables with R.D. Offutt Farms

R.D. Offutt Farms is a new Second Harvest Heartland partner, providing truckloads of potatoes to the hunger-relief system with the help of Brown’s Produce.

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PetSmart Charities bag

Reaching Neighbors and Their Pets on Pet Hunger Awareness Day

On September 24, Animal Humane Society and Second Harvest Heartland announced a new pet food distribution partnership and PetSmart Charities held a community food distribution to reach families with…

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Juan

Thankful Every Day: Juan's & Mia's Story

Juan and his family moved from Lima, Peru to provide a better life for his daughter, Mia. Mia was born with a rare medical condition that affects her ability to see as well as walk. “The reason…

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A couple shops for produce

Treated With Kindness—Luis and Yanibel Find Comfort and Food at The Open Door

It wasn't just a typical Thursday morning at The Open Door Pantry in Eagan—at least not for Luis and Yanibel. The couple from Richfield were celebrating a special day: their wedding…

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December 14, 2023 - Forging Connections at the 2023 Kitchen Coalition Summit

December 5, 2023 - Second Harvest Heartland Holiday Gift Guide 2023

November 20, 2023 - Celebrating Culture and Community with Food at Clues

November 16, 2023 - A Fulfilling Effort: The Ways in Which College Students Volunteer at Second Harvest Heartland

November 7, 2023 - "What Do We Value?" Behind The Scenes at Watonwan County Food Shelf

October 24, 2023 - A Feeling of Abundance

October 24, 2023 - Growing The Future: How Hy-Vee Keeps the Twin Cities Community Fed

October 13, 2023 - How Three Organizations Are Ensuring Good Food Fills Plates, Not Landfills

October 11, 2023 - It's Supporter Appreciation Week!

October 11, 2023 - It's All About That Trust: Providing Community at Harvest for the Heart

October 9, 2023 - 4 Reasons Why Minnesotans Need Food Assistance This Fall

September 22, 2023 - The Nurturing Work: A Nurse Practitioner Shares How SNAP Helped Her Navigate Uncertainty

September 21, 2023 - Keystone Community Services Stays on the Move

September 18, 2023 - How SNAP Helps Grocery Stores Make Food Accessible

September 12, 2023 - One Day at a Time

September 7, 2023 - College Food Pantries Provide More Than Just Between Class Snacks

August 30, 2023 - SNAP - A Bridge to Hope

August 29, 2023 - Feeding America's Feed Nourish Connect Conference Comes to Minnesota

August 25, 2023 - Visit Our Partners at the Minnesota State Fair

August 21, 2023 - Delivery Day at Pipestone Food Shelf

August 18, 2023 - Take Action to End Hunger this September

July 26, 2023 - Kitchen Coalition Meals Help Moms and Kids at Perspectives Thrive

July 20, 2023 - Gathering Support and Growing Community at Waconia's Food Shelf

July 5, 2023 - How Senior Food Box Delivery Helps Reaver Stretch her Grocery Budget

July 5, 2023 - Monthly Giving - The Most Impactful Way to Fight Hunger

June 29, 2023 - Supporting Food Programs in North Minneapolis Amid Uptick in Neighbor Visits

June 26, 2023 - Kitchen Coalition Serves People Who Need More than Groceries

June 13, 2023 - What was Gained for Hunger-Relief During the 2023 Legislative Session

June 1, 2023 - How Receiving Senior Food Boxes Helped Lynda Stay on Track

May 16, 2023 - The Early Birds Vegetable Farm is Helping End Hunger

May 5, 2023 - 4 Reasons Why People Need Food Assistance This Spring & Summer

April 21, 2023 - Creating Sustainable Celebrations with Prepared Food Rescue

April 21, 2023 - Coborn's is Helping People and the Planet Through Food Rescue

April 3, 2023 - Celebrating School Meals for All in Minnesota

March 31, 2023 - 'More Giving. More Forgiving': Meet the Formerly Incarcerated Volunteers at Bread of Life Food Pantry

March 30, 2023 - A 10th Birthday to Remember

February 27, 2023 - Welcoming Volunteers of All Abilities in the Fight Against Hunger

February 22, 2023 - Supporting Central Minnesota with Warmth and Variety

February 14, 2023 - Grant Funds Support Innovative Solutions that Fill Unmet Need

February 2, 2023 - Serving the Indigenous Community with Creativity and Care

February 1, 2023 - Minnesota Central Kitchen is now Kitchen Coalition!

January 6, 2023 - How Two Minnesota Colleges are Fighting Hunger on Campus

December 30, 2022 - Help Make 2023 Hunger-Free with Monthly Giving

November 21, 2022 - 4 Reasons Why People Need Food Assistance This Winter

November 9, 2022 - Neighbors Helping Neighbors at Minnesota Central Kitchen Partner NorthStar Health

October 28, 2022 - Farm Bill Listening Sessions

October 27, 2022 - COVID Adaptations Spark Lasting Changes for Food Shelves

October 21, 2022 - A Day in the Life of a Food Shelf Order

October 20, 2022 - Minnesota Central Kitchen in the Classroom and on the Mainstage

September 27, 2022 - A Fresh Resource for the Belle Plaine Community

August 11, 2022 - Advocacy Spotlight: Interview with Volunteer Ben Savin

July 26, 2022 - Thank you donors!

July 19, 2022 - Preparing for the 2023 Farm Bill

July 13, 2022 - Accessing Fresh and Local Foods with SNAP Market Bucks

June 29, 2022 - 5 Hunger-Fighting Reasons to Give Monthly

June 22, 2022 - End of Legislative Session Brings Missed Opportunities for Lawmakers to Address Food Insecurity

June 15, 2022 - How Haven Housing Gives Food a Second Chance with Food Rescue

June 14, 2022 - Five Food Donors Fighting Hunger in the Heartland

June 3, 2022 - From Farm to Food Bank: Q&A with The Good Acre

May 26, 2022 - Spotlighting Senior Hunger in Minnesota

May 19, 2022 - Meet the Team Helping to Keep Food Distributions Safe and Accessible!

May 18, 2022 - Why Schools Across Minnesota Are Essential to Ending Child Hunger

May 10, 2022 - Our Team is Varied, Our Team is Strong: Get to Know the Second Harvest Heartland Staff

May 9, 2022 - 4 Reasons Why People Need Food Assistance This Spring and Summer  

May 3, 2022 - Saint Paul Public Schools Celebrates their School Lunch Heroes Year Round

May 3, 2022 - Today’s Harvest Opens Second Location

May 2, 2022 - Minnesota Central Kitchen Offers Halal Meals to Muslim Communities During Ramadan and Beyond

April 27, 2022 - Volunteer Spotlight: Prime Digital Academy Student Cohort

April 21, 2022 - Get to Know Some of Second Harvest Heartland’s Volunteers

April 18, 2022 - Minnesota Central Kitchen is Creating Chef and Neighborhood Powered Meals

April 13, 2022 - How Two Multitasking Volunteers Are Helping End Hunger

April 7, 2022 - Volunteers Bring More Meals and More Heart to Second Harvest Heartland

April 5, 2022 - A SNAP-For-Seniors Q&A

April 1, 2022 - Help Fill Plates and Change Lives During 24-Hour Harvest!

March 25, 2022 - Join Us in Supporting Food Shelves During the FoodShare Campaign

March 22, 2022 - Food Sourcing Q&A with Sourcing and Demand Planning Director Julie Vanhove

March 18, 2022 - In the Right Place at a Difficult Time

March 14, 2022 - The Power of a Prepared Meal

March 2, 2022 - Making Hunger-Free Schools a Reality in Minnesota

February 24, 2022 - The Critical Addition to the Hunger Fight: Prepared Meals

February 21, 2022 - Food Shelf Fresh: Partnering with Local Farmers and Producers

February 14, 2022 - Using Data to Fight Hunger with Boston Consulting Group

February 10, 2022 - FOODRx and SNAP: Increasing Nutrition Access

January 21, 2022 - Expanding Our Reach, Strengthening Our Connections

January 20, 2022 - How Inflation Impacts the Hunger Relief System and How You Can Help

January 12, 2022 - So Much More Than a Food Shelf: CROSS Services in Rogers, MN

December 29, 2021 - Making a Difference Year-Round with Monthly Giving

December 14, 2021 - 4 Reasons Why Many Minnesotans Are Facing Hunger This Winter

November 24, 2021 - The MNbenefits Application is a Game-Changer for Minnesota Families

November 10, 2021 - From St. James to Robbinsdale, Our School Partners Deliver for Kids and Families

November 4, 2021 - Community Solutions: Partnering to End Hunger at the Local Level

October 27, 2021 - VEAP is Working to End Food Insecurity in the Southern Suburbs

October 21, 2021 - The Stepnick Family is Stepping Out to End Hunger This November

October 20, 2021 - Making the Hunger Relief System Work for Seniors across Minnesota

October 13, 2021 - 75 Years of Improving and Expanding School Lunches to Keep Kids Fed

October 7 , 2021 - Addressing the Racial Hunger Divide

September 30, 2021 - Enabling Choice Fosters Equity and Identity While Reducing Food Waste

September 23, 2021 - More Than a Meal: The Application for Educational Benefits

September 10, 2021 - Hope Youth Center and Pham’s Rice Bowl Are Caring for Community Kids at Midtown Global Market

September 9, 2021 - The Du Nord Foundation Community Market and Eat for Equity Team Up to Nourish South Minneapolis Neighbors

August 23, 2021 - The Good Acre is Building Equity by Supporting Farmers and Eaters

August 16, 2021 - I believe in the power of food.

August 12, 2021 - More Than a Meal: The Summer Food Service Program

July 27, 2021 - Thank You, Donors! Donor Appreciation Week, August 2-8

July 26, 2021 - Staying Cool This Summer with Our New Temperature-Controlled Clean Room

July 21, 2021 - 4 Reasons Why People Need Food Assistance Right Now

July 13, 2021 - A New Partnership Aims to More Fully Address Hunger in Rural Western Wisconsin

June 28, 2021 - Monthly Giving: A Lifeline For Neighbors Facing Hunger

June 25, 2021 - Midwest Dairy Makes Milk More Accessible

June 15, 2021 - We’re proud to announce that we have been awarded recertification as a Service Enterprise organization

June 14, 2021 - Resilience Through Food: The Celebration of Juneteenth

June 3, 2021 - Minnetonka High School Students Destigmatize SNAP

May 24, 2021 - This Spring, Hairnets Are In and Contaminants Are Out

May 7, 2021 - Girls Scouts Bring Joy to the Hunger Fight

May 5, 2021 - Partnering to Address Child Hunger in the Suburbs

April 29, 2021 - Join Us for Second Harvest Heartland’s First-Ever 24-Hour Harvest Giving Day on May 20

April 23, 2021 - Ready for the Road to Recovery

April 23, 2021 - Pro Bono Volunteers Help Advance Food Distribution Equity

April 16, 2021 - Dana and Mike Want YOU to Join Them as Volunteers

April 14, 2021 - Our Assessment of the American Rescue Plan Act

April 14, 2021 - A Skeptical Donor Finds Value in Charitable Gift Annuities

April 8, 2021 - The Fanucci Family: Channeling Grief Into Some “Outrageous Good”

April 6, 2021 - Two Jerries are Better than One

March 30, 2021 - Our Volunteers Are Finding Meaning, Building Skills, Strengthening Relationships and Helping Our Community

March 29, 2021 - The Crawford Family

March 29, 2021 - Meeting the Moment

March 29, 2021 - The Crisis that Changed Us

March 29, 2021 - Fueling the Work

March 29, 2021 - Delivering Peace of Mind

March 29, 2021 - Thank You to Our Health Care Provider Hunger Fighters

March 25, 2021 - Expert Spotlight: Rebecca Mino, Manager of Applied Research and Policy

March 3, 2021 - Expert Spotlight: FOODRx Program Manager and Registered Dietitian Jana Martin

February 26, 2021 - Northside Partners for Food Delivery Expands to 300 Families

February 15, 2021 - Doubling Down: Giving Today and Well into the Future

February 1, 2021 - What You Need to Know About Federal Policy Changes

January 28, 2021 - The Power of Pro Bono Volunteers

January 19, 2021 - What Role Do Farmers Play in Fighting Hunger?

January 19, 2021 - How Does a Trade War Impact a Food Bank?

January 14, 2021 - What Does it Mean to Rescue Food?

January 12, 2021 - Why Does a Food Bank Focus on School Meals?

January 8, 2021 - Welcome Sook Jin Ong, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

January 5, 2021 - What Makes SNAP So Great?

January 4, 2021 - Resolve to Make a Difference through Monthly Giving

December 22, 2020 - December Reflections: Advocacy and Public Policy

December 21, 2020 - Using Data to Drive the Hunger Fight

December 21, 2020 - Evolving Corporate Partnerships in Times of Crisis

December 18, 2020 - December Reflections: SNAP Outreach

December 16, 2020 - December Reflections: Transportation

December 15, 2020 - Rent Eats First: The Intersection of Hunger and Housing

December 14, 2020 - December Reflections: Child Hunger

December 11, 2020 - December Reflections: Food Bank Operations

December 8, 2020 - Meeting with Our Congressional Delegation

December 8, 2020 - December Reflections: Volunteer Services

December 4, 2020 - Our Stories of Giving and Receiving Help

November 25, 2020 - Celebrating Collaboration: Minnesota Central Kitchen

November 24, 2020 - A Thanksgiving Like No Other

November 11, 2020 - Surging Food Insecurity and a Deepening Hunger Divide

November 9, 2020 - When Working a Full-time Job Can’t Cut It

October 30, 2020 - Food Shelf Adaptations and Innovations in a Pandemic

October 16, 2020 - “I’m Looking Forward to Not Going Back to Normal”

October 12, 2020 - A Life—and End of Life Plan—Defined by Service

October 8, 2020 - The Seriousness of Senior Hunger

October 7, 2020 - Many Hearts, One Mission

September 18, 2020 - The Need for Prepared Meals in the Fight to End Hunger

September 18, 2020 - Make Your Plan to Vote to End Hunger This Fall

September 9, 2020 - Y’all, I Cooked That!

September 4, 2020 - Minnesota Central Kitchen Aims to Distribute One Million Prepared Meals

September 3, 2020 - Federal SNAP Program More Important Than Ever In Fight to Stop Hunger During the Coronavirus Pandemic

September 2, 2020 - One Woman’s Journey from Food Shelf Client to Coordinator

September 2, 2020 - Update to the Community: Food Resources

August 26, 2020 - Fill the Fridge, Minnesota: A SNAP FAQ

August 12, 2020 - Donor Spotlight: Harmony and Ava (H+A Dog Walking)

August 5, 2020 - Thank You, Donors!

August 4, 2020 - Update to the Community: Hunger and Health

July 31, 2020 - Minnesota Central Kitchen Partner Spotlight: The Sioux Chef

July 29, 2020 - Preparing for the Surge in Hunger

July 20, 2020 - Combating Child Hunger in a COVID-era Summer

July 6, 2020 - Why Monthly Giving Matters, Especially Now

June 26, 2020 - P-EBT Helps Fill the Gap of School Breakfast and Lunch During COVID-19

June 24, 2020 - New Study Predicts Historic Surge in Hunger

June 16, 2020 - Joan’s Plans Ensure Her Neighbors are Fed Long After She’s Gone

June 8, 2020 - Coming Together to Provide Food for Powderhorn Park Residents

May 26, 2020 - Breaking New Ground: Farmers are Crucial Hunger Fighters in the COVID-19 Era

May 19, 2020 - Minnesota Central Kitchen Teams Up with Surly Brewing Co. to Provide More Meals

May 11, 2020 - Produce Delivered to Every Corner of the County

May 8, 2020 - A Network Rises to the Food Rescue Challenge Amidst COVID-19

May 7, 2020 - Hear From Our Hunger-fighters on the Frontlines

May 5, 2020 - Four Ways We’ve Adjusted to Respond to COVID-19

May 1, 2020 - #GiveAtHomeMN—Minnesotans come together to support nonprofits impacted by COVID-19

April 28, 2020 - A Special Thank You to Our Volunteers

April 24, 2020 - Business Not as Usual: Food Production and Distribution in a Pandemic

April 22, 2020 - Rescuing Food—A Sustainable Way to Solve Hunger

April 20, 2020 - From Receiving Food-assistance to the Frontlines of Fighting Hunger

April 17, 2020 - Coming Together to Feed More Minnesotans: The Story Behind Minnesota Central Kitchen

April 16, 2020 - A Father’s Philanthropic Legacy Helps Feed Minnesotans

April 13, 2020 - Q & A with Hunger-fighter Dave Henseler

April 10, 2020 - Packing Up Produce for the Lower Sioux Community

April 6, 2020 - Senior Hunger in Rural Minnesota

April 1, 2020 - Thank you, Volunteers!

Mach 31, 2020 - United In Hunger Relief

March 27, 2020 - Get Help Finding Food - We Have the Resources You Need!

March 17, 2020 - Introducing: Minnesota Central Kitchen

March 6, 2020 - High School Students Reflect on the Problem of Hunger

March 5, 2020 - Know the Signs of Child Hunger

March 2, 2020 - Meet the Harvest Crew

February 28, 2020 - The Secret to Setting Kids Up for Success?

February 28, 2020 - Celebrate the Most Important Meal of the Day

February 11, 2020 - Doing the Work They Love to Help Feed Our Hungry Neighbors

February 6, 2020 - With Estate Gift, Couple Ensures Everyone has a Place at the Table

January 31, 2020 - Longtime Volunteer Memorialized with Food and Fund Drive

January 30, 2020 - A Warm Meal = A Fresh Start for Terrence

January 24, 2020 - Peanut Butter: The Perfect Shelf-stable Protein

January 21, 2020 - Future Hunger Fighters: Minnetonka High School Students Fight Stigma

January 21, 2020 - Partners in Life, Work and Fighting Hunger

January 3, 2020 - Hunger Relief By the Numbers 2019