On July 22, PROP celebrated an exciting milestone: the groundbreaking of our new refrigerated food locker program.
While construction has begun on a new physical structure, this project is about much more than food lockers. It represents a new chapter in how our community responds to hunger by making food access more flexible, accessible, and dignified for the neighbors we serve.
At PROP, our mission is to provide food and support services in a welcoming environment where every person is treated with dignity, kindness, and respect. As our community continues to grow and evolve, so do the needs of families facing food insecurity. We regularly serve working parents, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and neighbors balancing multiple jobs or unpredictable schedules. For many, visiting the food shelf during traditional business hours can be difficult or simply impossible.
Food insecurity doesn’t follow a schedule, and access to nutritious food shouldn’t either.
Expanding Access for More Neighbors
When completed, PROP’s outdoor refrigerated food locker system will allow neighbors to securely pick up groceries outside of traditional service hours. The temperature-controlled lockers will provide a convenient, private option for accessing fresh, healthy food when it works best for each family’s schedule.
The new system is expected to create approximately 300 additional food appointments every month, helping PROP reach even more individuals and families throughout our community.
More importantly, the food lockers remove barriers that often prevent people from seeking assistance, including work schedules, transportation challenges, caregiving responsibilities, and concerns about stigma. This innovation allows us to meet neighbors where they are while preserving the dignity and flexibility every person deserves.
A Community Effort
This project would not be possible without the support of dedicated community partners who share our vision for a hunger-free community.
We are especially grateful to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, whose $38,000 leadership gift helped make the food locker program a reality. St. Andrew has been a longstanding partner of PROP and a champion of innovative solutions that strengthen food access and support neighbors in need.
During the groundbreaking celebration, Pastor Peter shared:
“For us at St. Andrew to be a part of this project, to finance a part of this project, to extend the ministry of PROP in this way is really our privilege. How grateful we are for this opportunity. And to put a spade in the ground to honor and celebrate 45 years and what the future holds as we think about our neighbors as well.”
We were honored to celebrate alongside Pastor Peter, Eden Prairie Lions, community partners, supporters, and volunteers, who believe in creating a stronger, more equitable community for all.
Looking Ahead
The groundbreaking marks the beginning of an exciting journey. In the months ahead, this space will become more than a collection of lockers and refrigeration units. It will become another doorway to hope.
It will be a place where a parent can pick up groceries after a long workday. A place where a senior doesn’t have to choose between keeping an appointment and accessing healthy food. A place where accessibility and dignity come together to ensure every neighbor has the opportunity to thrive.
Thank you to everyone who has helped bring this vision to life. Together, we are building a community where access to food is easier, more flexible, and available when our neighbors need it most.
To learn more about PROP’s Food Locker Project, visit propfood.org/food-lockers