Be a Summer Hero! Partner with PROP for our Summer Food For Kids program.
Read what inspired two of our 2024 Summer Food for Kids partners:
SCHEELS Eden Prairie – Lauren Andrist, Marketing Leader
Summer in Eden Prairie brings abundant sunshine, outdoor activities, and for SCHEELS Marketing Leader Lauren Andrist, the perfect opportunity to make a meaningful difference through a powerful partnership with PROP Food’s Summer Food for Kids program.
“Working with local nonprofits to support Eden Prairie and surrounding communities is my favorite part of my role,” shares Lauren, who has guided SCHEELS’ marketing efforts for nearly seven years.
As an employee-owned company with over 87 specialty shops, SCHEELS has embedded community support into its business model. Their partnership with PROP spans more than a decade but flourished even further when they opened their new Eden Prairie location in 2020.
Lauren’s eyes light up when discussing her collaborations with PROP’s leadership team. “Jenifer (PROP Executive Director) and the PROP Development Director have always been so kind, appreciative, and easy to work with,” she explains. “Through them, I’ve learned about PROP’s incredible impact. They serve a large population, and I’m proud to play even a small role in their mission.”
The partnership reached new heights when SCHEELS provided a substantial $7,875 monetary donation to sponsor the Summer Food for Kids program for an entire month. For Lauren, the decision was simple, especially after seeing PROP’s detailed planning.
“I personally loved seeing the spreadsheet that outlined what items they need and how many of each,” Lauren notes. “This helped paint a clear picture of their needs and how we could make an impact with either a monetary or in-kind donation.”
What makes this collaboration particularly special is SCHEELS’ enthusiasm for continued support. “We’re proud to support PROP and believe in the importance of the Summer Food for for Kids,” Lauren affirms. The company has even offered to structure future donations as matching gifts to inspire wider community participation.
As Lauren prepares to spread the word throughout the community and among SCHEELS associates, she embodies the spirit of corporate citizenship at its finest—where business success and community wellbeing aren’t competing priorities but complementary missions.
In a world where summer should be a season of joy for all children, SCHEELS and PROP are ensuring that no child in Eden Prairie has to worry about where their next meal is coming from—creating not just full plates, but fuller possibilities for the entire community.
State Farm Agency, Eden Prairie – Brandi Warmbier, Agent
Summer in Eden Prairie brings sunshine, laughter, and endless possibilities. Yet for local insurance agent Brandi Warmbier, it also brings an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful difference through PROP Food’s Summer Food for Kids program. Brandi Warmbier’s story begins in 2012 when she established her State Farm agency in Eden Prairie. Beyond insurance policies and claims, she built something more precious—a business founded on community values. Her all-women team of five doesn’t just protect homes and vehicles; they nurture the very community they serve.
“Unless basic needs are met, it’s often too challenging for people to achieve the goals and dreams they have for themselves,” Brandi explains, her voice carrying the conviction of someone who understands that food security isn’t just about full stomachs—it’s about full potential.
When PROP Food, a local nonprofit, launched their Summer Food for Kids program in 2024, Brandi saw an opportunity. She rallied her fellow State Farm agents throughout Eden Prairie, and within days, they had pooled resources to fund spaghetti sauce for the entire summer program.
“It could not have been easier,” Brandi reflects. “There was a list of needed items and costs. The ask was for an item for a month or the entire summer, and you could donate monetarily or in kind.”
What makes this collaboration special isn’t just the result—children receiving balanced meals—but the effortless way businesses came together. In less than a day, five local agencies had committed their support, demonstrating how simple acts of community leadership can create ripples of positive change.
“Summer can be hard for kids, especially when the structured programming of schools is not there,” Brandi notes. “Anything we can do to make sure basic needs are still being met during that time was a no-brainer.”
For Brandi and her team, supporting PROP Food wasn’t just about giving back—it was a natural extension of their business values. Just as they stand by clients during challenging times, they stand by their community when needs arise.
In a world of complex challenges, sometimes the most powerful solutions are also the simplest: neighbors helping neighbors, ensuring no child goes hungry while school doors are closed for summer.
To become a PROP Summer Food For Kids partner, contact Holly Link, PROP Marketing and Communications Coordinator, at hollyl@propfood.org | 612 743-8265