According to the Greater Twin Cities United Way, one in eight residents in the region is food insecure. Additionally, a 2024 study found that 26% of Minnesota households with children under 18 are food insecure.
The problem is evident. Recently, local businesses pooled their power to address it. It started with an extra 300 ready-made meals for four from Hy-Vee. That’s more than 1,200 meals and 830 pounds of food.
When Hy-Vee’s partner, Sheletta Brundidge, WCCO Radio host and owner of ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, a multimedia production and podcasting company, got word of the surplus, she knew exactly how to get that food to Minneapolis families who need it most.
“I’m the conduit, connecting companies that otherwise may not work together,” said Brundidge, who connected Hy-Vee with NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, another business she works with in North Minneapolis.
Additional stats on hunger in 2024 show that 40% of Minnesota households of color experienced food insecurity, compared to 16% of white households. NorthPoint was founded in 1968 with a mission to increase access to healthcare and social services in a community that today is primarily Black, according to an estimate from Northside Achievement Zone, which shows 78% Black or African American residents, 9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4% multi-racial.
“We provide medical, dental, and behavioral health care, but we also do wraparound services,” said Kimberly Spates, CEO of NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center. “We do this so that individuals who might be struggling with housing can still get their basic needs met.”
As part of its programming, NorthPoint offers an event called Free Fresh Food Fridays. Started about five years ago in partnership with Second Harvest Heartland, the event was a hit right away. “We’re giving an additional opportunity outside of weekly food shelf opportunities for people to access healthy food, specifically produce,” Spates added.
Spates said the additional meals from Hy-Vee are a welcome addition to the Friday event, which was the last of the May through September season. But, from it, a valuable relationship continues. “We’re collaborating with Sheletta and her company to really engage the community to come back to NorthPoint, which is an option for those who have insurance or don’t have insurance. She had a partnership with Hy-Vee, and now we have a partnership with Hy-Vee.”
Guests at the event were able to choose from three ready-made meal options: chicken enchiladas, chicken fettuccini, and baked ziti.
“It took us two days to make all of this,” said Joe Lowe, store manager at Hy-Vee in Robbinsdale. He says the effort is worth it and baked into Hy-Vee’s mission. “It’s very important for us to be involved in the community to make sure everyone around us is getting everything they need,” said Lowe.
And now, with the connection to NorthPoint, Hy-Vee is better able to make good on that goal.
“We’re looking forward to doing more of these events around the community with NorthPoint and with Sheletta,” Lowe added. “That’s what we’re all about here at Hy-Vee, building the community and getting everyone working together so we can support each other.”