This is invisible poverty
More than 40 years ago, People Reaching Out to People (or PROP) was founded on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, by donating time, food, and money to those in need. More recently, we expanded our services to not only meet the basic needs of the 1,100 families we serve, but also provide skills to set clients on a path toward greater self-sufficiency.
Food Insecurity
Housing Instability
UnderEmployed
Limited Transportation
Health Barriers
60% of new clients to PROP are facing personal crisis
46% of who we serve find out about PROP from family or friends.
Nearly 50% of PROP clients rely on the food shelf for the majority of their grocery needs.
Our Approach
The first time a person or family approaches us for services – even if only for a short-term emergency food supply – they meet with one of our case managers for a comprehensive assessment of their situation. We first seek to understand the circumstances that have led to their need for food or financial help. We then provide assistance to alleviate the immediate crisis and connect clients with other resources, within and outside of PROP, to help them move toward stability. Oftentimes, what we give is hope, and ongoing support as our clients work towards achieving self-sufficiency.
Our case managers work with clients to design action plans to address barriers that prevent them from moving forward. Barriers could include unemployment, transportation, lack of affordable childcare, language skills, and lack of education or training. Quarterly check-ins provide an opportunity for clients to assess their progress.
STAFF DIRECTORY
Janet Palmer, Executive Director, janetp@propfood.org, 952-294-8380
Paul Harcey, Food Shelf Coordinator paulh@propfood.org, 952-746-1239
Tricia Ode, Case Manager, patriciao@propfood.org, 952-746-1891
Mary Brown, Development Director, maryb@propfood.org, 952-746-1890
Amy Konkoly, Case Manager and Employment Counselor, amyk@propfood.org, 952-746-1892
Kelli Steidle, Marketing Director, kellis@propfood.org, 952-746-1852
Jenny Buckland, Program Director, jennyb@propfood.org, 952-746-1853
Cindy McPherson, Operations Manager, cindym@propfood.org, 952-294-8378
Crystal Winston, Case Manager, crystalw@propfood.org, 952-746-0007
Board Members
CHAIR, JENIFER LOON, FORMER MN STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Board Member since 2015
Jenifer Loon lives in Eden Prairie with her husband, Doug have two daughters. She graduated from Augustana College (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) in 1985 with a BA in Government and International Affairs. Representative Jenifer Loon was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2008 representing Eden Prairie, District 48B. Now in her fourth term, Rep. Loon chairs the House Education Finance Committee and also serves on the Taxes, Ways and Means, and Commerce and Regulatory Reform committees. She brings 16 years of business and legislative policy experience to the MN House of Representatives. Currently, Loon is an active member of the Eden Prairie Morning Rotary Club and the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce. She is a parishioner and former council member at Prairie Lutheran Church. In her spare time, Jenifer enjoys cooking and reading, attending student drama and musical performances, and cheering on the local sports teams.
VICE CHAIR, JENNIFER PAWELEK, MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL
Board Member since 2018
Jennifer and her family have been Eden Prairie residents for 6 years and have been impressed with the many opportunities to engage in the community. Jennifer has worked in the consumer packaged goods industry for 19 years. Currently, she works for Mondelēz International, the parent company for Nabisco brands as well as fun confection such as Sour Patch Kids and Trident. Jennifer has 6 years of board experience with non profits organizations primarily committed to leadership and development.
PAST CHAIR, MICHAEL DOYLE, RETIRED US BANK
Board Member since 2015
Mike and family have lived in Eden Prairie for the past 15 years. Mike has operated Credit Risk Advisors, LLC for the past ten years and was previously an Executive with U.S. Bank. He brings over 37 years of corporate and financial experience to the board.
He has over 13 years of board experience with other profit and non-profit organizations. He has a deep commitment to help those who are in need of basic services. “At some time in our lives we have all needed some type of help. I am no exception and am delighted to have an opportunity to give back and help others. No one in our community or this country should go hungry”.
TREASURER, AARON SCHOENECKER, FLEX-ABLE SOLUTIONS, LLC.
Board Member since 2019
Aaron and his family have been residents of Eden Priarie since 2006. He and his wife started their family in Eden Prairie and continue to live and raise their three kids here. EP school events, the Community Center, EP parks, they enjoy the vast resources the EP community has to offer. That is why Aaron is passionate about PROP, where he has been a part of the finance committee for 4 years. PROP is a jewel in the Eden Prairie community; it is an important asset, enabling community members transition from “in need” to “healthy well-being.” He has worked in Accounting and Finance for over 20 years. He worked at Arthur Andersen, UnitedHealth Group, and now started Flex-Able Solutions (2013) where he is the Founder and President.
SECRETARY, ERIK MILES, TECHNICAL SUPPORT MANAGER AT STARKEY.
Board Member since 2017
Erik was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. He moved to the Twin Cities in 1989 and began his work at Starkey. During his tenure at Starkey he has held a variety of positions. Currently, he is the Technical Support Manager for a staff of 16 customer service employees. He is very active in his church. At the Basilica of St. Mary’s, he is on the parish council and a core leader of an outreach program called Pathways. He is active as a mentor in a program called Kinship that is sponsored by the Minneapolis Greater Council of Churches. Erik describes himself as a “servant” leader that values helping others and valuing teamwork to meet the needs of the organization and others.ie.
MIKE BERGLUND, KONTOR REALTY GROUP
Past Chair, Board Member since 2015
Mike and family have lived in Eden Prairie for many years. Mike is the owner of Kontor Realty Group, a full service real estate firm that specializes in commercial and residential real estate transactions. He is a 33 year veteran of corporate America.
Mike believes in PROP’s mission – that for a community to thrive, everyone needs to volunteer their time, talent and treasure to ensure the viability of current generations and those that will follow.
TIM BEEKMANN
Board Member since 2019
This is Tim’s 27th year with Eden Prairie Schools where he currently serves as the principal at Eden Lake Elementary. Prior to that he spent 21 years at Prairie View Elementary as a 1st –4th grade teacher for 15 years and six years in an administrative teacher on special assignment as Educational Coordinator. Tim now resides in Golden Valley along with his husband of 20 years, Patrick.
Tim is honored and excited to join the PROP Board because it is such a vital organization and resource that benefits so many of our families and students in Eden Prairie. Tim looks forward to learning more about how to make our partnership with the schools even stronger as he joins the board.
MOLLY KOIVUMAKI
Board Member since 2019
Molly has served the Eden Prairie community for over 35 years as an employee of the City of Eden Prairie. Most recently, Molly served as the Manager of Housing and Community Services, a role in which she was active in affordable housing acquisition strategies as well as oversight human services grant programs. Throughout her career, Molly partnered with PROP and built a strong network of human services providers in Eden Prairie and throughout the region. Molly has passion for public service and civic engagement. Molly brings to the PROP Board an in depth knowledge of the history of Eden Prairie and numerous, treasured community connections.
KIM RATHJEN, IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Board Member since 2015
Kim and her family have lived and worked in Eden Prairie and Chanhassen for 15 years. She is the Coordinator of Outreach at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, a community of faith that has been a supporter of PROP for many years. Kim’s passion is to connect people with each other and with volunteer opportunities that help them grow in their understanding of our neighbors.
JULIE SIEGERT
Board Member since 2019
Julie and her family live in Eden Prairie. Julie grew up in Iowa and moved to Minnesota in 2002 to work as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America), where members live and work alongside community members to advance local solutions within organizations that help to eradicate poverty. After her year of VISTA service, Julie was hired by the Scott County Community Development Agency where she has held a variety of positions and currently has the privilege of serving as its Housing Director.
Julie believes in PROP’s mission and is committed to working alongside her neighbors to advance local solutions to help those in need.
Financials
We are committed to transparency in how we handle donations and all other financial accounting.
Our legal name
People Reaching Out to Other People, Inc.
Our EIN (Tax ID#)
41-1430172
Audited Financial Statements
Financial Statements for 2019(pdf)
Financial Statements for 2018(pdf)
Financial Statements for 2017(pdf)
Form 990
Annual Report
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Featured News
Empty Bowls
Empty Bowls: ENDING HUNGER ONE BOWL AT A TIME Tuesday Feb., 18th at St. Andrew Lutheran Church LUNCH 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM DINNER 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Together our community stands up and says, no more hunger, we are here for you! Join us for PROP’s 8th Annual Empty Bowls...
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Recent News
Empty Bowls
Empty Bowls: ENDING HUNGER ONE BOWL AT A TIME Tuesday Feb., 18th at St. Andrew Lutheran Church LUNCH 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM DINNER 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Together our community stands up and says, no more hunger, we are here for you! Join us for PROP’s 8th Annual Empty Bowls...
I am not hungry anymore – Talia
This is a story about Talia, she’s a first grader from a local Eden Prairie school. She was having a hard time focusing in class and didn’t seem to have the energy to play with her friends while outside for recess. Her teacher was concerned, so she asked the social...
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