Food Security in MN: Resources & How to Donate

Long weekends are a great time for families to spend time together, but they can also bring extra stress, especially when it comes to making sure there is enough food in the pantry while schools and regular programs may be closed.

Given the current federal government shutdown, many families who rely on programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) have questions about their benefits. Our primary advice is to plan ahead and utilize the resources below to ensure your family has the food you need in the event of a benefit delay.

If your family is in need of immediate food assistance this long weekend (or any time), help is available right here in Minnesota.

Essential Food Resources in MN

Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families highlights several ways to find support. Our state has a robust network with more than 300 food shelves and meal programs dedicated to supporting families when they need help right away.

Here are the fastest ways to find assistance near you:

1. Use the Online Map: Find a local food shelf using the Hunger Solutions’ Find Help map: https://www.hungersolutions.org/find-help/
2. Call the HelpLine: Contact the Minnesota Food HelpLine by calling 1-888-711-1151. They can connect you with local resources quickly.
3. Visit Feeding America to locate a nearby food bank or food pantry.
4. Call or text Second Harvest Heartland at 866-844-3663 for help finding free food (open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). They have translators available to help in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong. You can also view a map of food resources.
5. Visit the 2025 Fare for All event, which takes place monthly on a Tuesday. The remaining events in 2025 include November 18 and December 16.

How to Help Minnesotans in Need

If you are in a position to help, your support can make a huge difference in your community. You could choose to donate money or food to your local food shelf to help them meet the increasing demand.

To find a local food shelf to support, you can:

• Visit the Hunger Solutions’ Find Help map at https://www.hungersolutions.org/find-help/.
• Contact the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151.

Every donation – whether it’s time, food, or money – helps ensure that no Minnesota family has to go hungry.