Every Meal

Every Meal is dedicated to combating child hunger by addressing food gaps, especially during weekends when access to school meal programs is limited. Our programs serve children and families experiencing food insecurity across 445 locations in 47 school districts throughout Minnesota. Our distribution model sets us apart as it places nutritious meal bags directly into students' backpacks during school hours, ensuring confidentiality and removing transportation barriers common with traditional food shelves.

Founded in 2010 with a Weekend Meal Program at one school, Every Meal has expanded significantly through community support, providing free enrollment with no qualifications required. We rely heavily on community donations, allowing us to fill critical food gaps that government funding often doesn't cover, particularly over weekends.

Nearly all the food in our meal bags is purchased to maintain high nutrition standards, taste, and relevance to children's preferences. It costs approximately $323 to supply meal bags for one student for an entire school year. In the thirteen Northeast neighborhoods served by Eastside Co-op, our Weekend Meal Program supports nine schools with 342 enrolled students, totaling over $110,000 annually to sustain.

Focusing on food distribution directly to education sites, Every Meal ensures that children receive the nourishment they need to thrive, contributing to their overall health and well-being. Our commitment to community funding and high-quality meals underscores our mission to alleviate child hunger effectively across Minnesota.