Expanding Access to Food—On Your Schedule
Hidden Hunger Is Real in Our Community
In Eden Prairie and surrounding communities, hunger often goes unseen. Working families, seniors, and neighbors across our community are quietly struggling to make ends meet.
- Parents skipping meals so their children can eat
- Seniors choosing between groceries and medication
- Households stretched by rising grocery, gas, and housing costs
Many neighbors simply cannot access traditional food shelf hours due to work schedules, transportation challenges, or stigma.
We’re changing that.
A New Way to Access Food
- Convenient pickup outside of PROP’s service hours
- Fresh, refrigerated, and frozen food options
- Discreet and dignified experience
Impact:
- Serve an additional 15–30 neighbors daily
- Available at least five days a week
- Expands access and reduces stigma
How It Works
Getting food through PROP’s Food Locker program is simple, flexible, and designed around real life.
- Sign Up: Neighbors place a customized order for their food box online
- We Prepare: PROP volunteers pack fresh, nutritious food—including refrigerated and frozen items.
- Get a Code: A secure access code is sent for quick and easy pickup.
- Pick Up Anytime: Visit the food lockers at a time convienent for you. This makes it a discreet, convenient experience.
Powered by Community Generosity
Leadership Investment
St. Andrew Lutheran Church
A generous leadership gift of $38,000 helping bring the food locker program to life and expand access for our neighbors.
Key Partner
Second Harvest Heartland
Supporting PROP’s efforts to increase food access and strengthen hunger relief in our region.
Key Partner
Eden Prairie Lions
What’s Next
Upcoming Milestones
- 🚧 Construction begins mid-summer 2026
- 🔧 Installation of temperature-controlled lockers late summer 2026
- 📦 Program launch with expanded neighbor access in early fall
Looking Ahead
As food insecurity continues to rise, PROP is committed to scaling this solution—reaching more neighbors, offering more access, and ensuring no one is left behind. With this growth, PROP will be able to serve approximately 300 more visits each month, significantly expanding our reach in the community.
With continued community support, we can expand this program and serve even more families in need.
Latest from the Blog
Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Smith
For 10 years, Mike Smith has been a dedicated PROP volunteer, serving as a grocery recovery driver and leading facility improvement projects. From major building initiatives to everyday fixes, Mike’s willingness to help, problem-solving skills, and commitment to PROP’s mission have made a lasting impact on our organization and community.
Breaking Ground on Greater Access, Dignity, and Hope
PROP celebrated the groundbreaking of its new refrigerated food locker program on July 22. Designed to increase access to nutritious food outside traditional service hours, the lockers will provide neighbors with a flexible, convenient, and dignified way to receive groceries while helping PROP serve even more families in our community.
The Right Way to Wash Fruits and Vegetables: A Simple Guide for Safer Eating
Fruits and vegetables can carry dirt, bacteria, pesticide residues, and other contaminants from the farm, transportation, and grocery store handling.