Prop News
EmptyBowls2022
The main aim of this fundraiser has been creating awareness and combating hunger in our community. As the pandemic is on the rise again, we have decided to keep the event virtual this year too but not without including exciting activities for our community.
February 22 to be proclaimed as Empty Bowls Day
On February 8 Mayor Ron Case, on behalf of the Eden Prairie City Council, will issue a Proclamation* declaring February 22, 2022 as Empty Bowls Day.
*Mayoral Proclamations are issued to publicly recognize an event that has great significance in the community. Proclamations become part of the historical record of the municipality.
Take a complimentary bowl home
We have partnered with a favorite cafe to hand out a complimentary bowl to anyone who stops by on February 22nd. So visit Smith Coffee & Cafe between 8 am – 3 pm on 22nd February to enjoy a warm coffee and more, and take a bowl home.
Decorate your own bowl at home
Our Executive Director Jenifer Loon shares her secret recipe for a delicious soup to make at home!
Recipe video coming soon!
Here is the list of ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- Kosher salt freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 1/2 pounds bone-in, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 1/2 cups wide egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, or more, to taste
Soup of the Day Restaurants
Our local restaurants are partnering with us during Empty Bowls week. These restaurants have been a long-standing Empty Bowl soup provider, so instead of us picking up soup, we are encouraging you to order directly from them. Each day a local donor will give $5 to PROP for every order placed up to $500 per day.
February 21: Peoples Organic
February 22: Houlihan’s
February 23: Tavern 4&5
February 24: Kona Grill
February 25: Crumb Gourmet Deli
Empty Bowls 2022 Sponsors
Thank you to our 2022 Empty Bowls Sponsors
Sandcastle Foundation
Zinpro
Tennant
St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Chanhassen American Legion
Barr Engineering
ECA Marketing
Scheels
EA Sween
Lakewinds
WSB
Knights of Columbus
Electrical Production Services
Charter Bank
Quantitative Advantage
Prairie School of Dance
State Farm
Featured News
Recent News
Keeping Families in their Homes for the Holidays Matching Campaign
Making Holidays Bright for All
“PROP means a lot to our family.”
Here is Angela’s Story : PROP was a life saver for us during the pandemic. At the time, I was pregnant and my husband was laid off and also had issues with his unemployment benefits. We couldn’t pay our full rent and so we were behind on payments. PROP helped us catch up on rent, utilities and even found a resource to help make a car payment. We thank PROP for all of the support, care, loads of food and beneficial resources.” Your gift to PROP can help families throughout Eden Prairie and Chanhassen who are facing the same stressors as Angela’s. As the end of the year approaches, please consider sending a tax-deductible donation to PROP. For every gift given this holiday season, a generous local couple will match your gift dollar-for dollar up to $25,000. Your investment in PROP will have double the impact! This gift match opportunity ends December 31st at midnight. We thank you.
Give Stocks and Appreciated Investments
OR
Mail a check to PROP Food at 14700 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Please write ‘Housing’ on the check.
Holiday Gift Program 2021
Back by popular demand, we are excited to share our Holiday Program for 2021. This special program provides seniors and families with kids $30 gift cards for the holiday. PROP clients love this program to help ease the financial burden they experience during the holiday and as one mom mentioned, it helps me “continue to pay extra towards the bills that have a past due balance AND STILL surprise my kids with something nice!”
Here’s how you can sponsor a child or senior this holiday!
Purchase Gift Card Online and have it sent directly to PROP.
Buy a $30 Target Gift Card* at any Target store and mail to PROP (14700 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344).
Food Mart
Nutritious and healthy foods for individuals, families, and seniors.
Welcome to PROP’s Food Mart
SHOP BY APPOINTMENT : Call 952-937-9120 to schedule your appointment shopping time slot
Shop the Food Mart Twice a Month : A one stop shop experience available to your household two times per month.
Self-Shop OR Curbside Service : Your choice – come inside and shop or place an order over the phone to enjoy curbside pick-up. We also offer food delivery for clients who do not have their own transport.
Food Mart Variety : From cereal, pasta, and canned goods to fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat to sweets, deli choices and bread. You’ll have more choice with Food Mart.
Photo ID is all you need to Check-In : Other PROP programs may have additional requirements.
Hours and Contact Information:
Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri : 9:30am-1:00pm
Wed : 3:00pm-6:30pm
The Food Mart doors are on the North Side of the building with a large green awning.
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Recent News
50thAnniversary
Together for 50 years. Thank you!
In celebration of the many wonderful supporters PROP has had over the last 50 years, please follow our journey through 50 years of service in the community on our digital media platforms. Starting September 20 and running until November 24, posts, videos, heartfelt messages will be shared from our founders to our youngest supporter and lots more folks in between. Thank you for your support and hope you enjoy a walk down memory lane.
Summer Food For Kids Program 2021
FEEDING KIDS ALL SUMMER LONG WITH PROP
Summer is quickly approaching and even though the pandemic has changed a lot of things, kids needing food isn’t one of them! During the summer, when children do not receive free/reduced lunch at school, we provide additional food to their families. Families often have difficulty securing enough food in the summer months.
PROP’s Summer Food for Kids Program remains a vital part of our mission to keep everyone fed. This program provides families with children (0-18) with extra healthy kid-friendly foods (fresh fruits and veggies, dairy items like cheese and yogurt, and fan favorites like peanut butter, jelly and granola bars) during the summer months.
Gift Match Challenge We are excited to announce a $15,000 gift match for our Summer Food For Kids Program by generous local donors! Between now and June 30, every dollar you donate, up to $15,000 will be doubled!
Will you take the Summer Food for Kids Gift Match Challenge? Donate today and your donation has DOUBLE the IMPACT!
Endowment 2021
50 years. PROP Yesterday. PROP Today. And PROP for Tomorrow.
Food Insecurity
(76% of PROP clients visit the food shelf every month)
Housing Instability
Nearly half of PROP clients spend 50% of income on housing
Under Employed
65% of PROP clients say income doesn’t cover basic expenses
Limited Transportation
11% of PROP clients don’t have reliable transportation
Health Barriers
Nearly 25% of PROP clients struggle with physical challenges
Building a Strong Community by Funding the Future
The leadership of PROP Food Shelf is dedicated to being at the center of change for generations to come and has embarked on a campaign to set a course for our neighbors in need. Through PROP’s Endowment Campaign, PROP is joining forces with our philanthropic partners and friends to raise $50,000 to continue to invest in our core mission to strengthen Eden Prairie and Chanhassen’s only Food Shelf and fuel our mission to end hunger in the community.
It’s A Match.
Double your impact with a gift to PROP’s Endowment Campaign. Now through end of the 2021 calendar year, every dollar donated, up to $25,000, will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
We are on a mission to feed, nourish and strengthen our community for years to come…please join us for this exciting journey.
Your campaign gifts drive:
Our capacity to fulfill our mission to help those in crisis
Our commitment to make a difference in our community
Our promise to the future to leave a legacy to help our neighbors in need
Many services. One goal.
PROP was founded on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, by donating time, food, and money to those in need. We offer support through an array of programs to help people get back on their feet, regain control, and live a life where they can thrive – today and tomorrow.
Investing Safely with the St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is a statewide community foundation that began in 1940, serves all of Minnesota and today stewards $1.7 billion in charitable assets for community good. The St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation PROP Endowment Fund channels charitable gifts into a single investment fund that builds over time and provides PROP with a reliable source of annual income — now and in the future. The Foundation’s expert team provides professional management of our endowment assets to ensure the longevity of PROP. Endowment funds are vital to ensuring the food shelf will continue to fulfill its mission of feeding, nourishing and strengthening our community.
Endowment Fund Giving Options
Donors can make a contribution directly to the Endowment Fund at any time.
Checks should be made payable to PROP Endowment Fund.
There are also many ways to make a planned gift to support PROP. We encourage you to work with your financial advisor to choose an option that is right for you.
All bequests received by PROP will be designated to the Endowment Fund unless otherwise specified by the donor.
Questions? Email Mary Brown at maryb@propfood.org or call 952-200-5731
All contributions to PROP, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Internal Revenue Services (IRS) regulations requires us to inform you that, in return for your contribution, you receive no goods or services.
Featured News
Recent News
Empty Bowls 2021
Empty Bowls Event Like Never Before
“Every day, hundreds of our neighbors struggle to put food on their table. Food insecurity is one of the early indicators of family economic crisis and PROP’s Empty Bowls event has always epitomized neighbors helping neighbors,” says PROP’s Executive Director, Janet Palmer. “This year, we are bringing the spirit of Empty Bowls to the community.”
We have something for the whole family! All proceeds from the virtual events go to PROP to help people in need.
Virtual Activities Through The Week
DIY Bowl Kit
Make your very own bowls.
SOLD OUT!
Soup of the Day Restaurant
Enjoy soup (and anything else) at our Restaurant of the Day. Here is the list of participating restaurants.
Benefit Concert
Enjoy a cozy evening of rich vocals and superb harmonies with “Food for the Soul” featuring the veteran stage and studio musicians of ‘2 Girls & A Boyd’.
Password to view concert: propfood
Random Acts of Kindness
Surprise and delight someone today with a random act of kindness. Click Here for ideas
Virtual Openhouse Tours
Find out how a food shelf works and what your support really means! Schedule your personal tour by emailing maryb@propfood.org
Empty Bowls 2021 Sponsors
Thank you to our 2021 Empty Bowls Sponsors
Sandcastle Foundation
Zinpro
American Family Insurance
Henkel
Barr Engineering
Tennant
ACIST
ECA Marketing
Lakewinds
Charter Bank
Scheels
EA Sween
Concious Branding
Quantitative Advantage
Xcel Energy
State Farm
Welu Home Team
Washburn McReavy
St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Immanuel Lutheran Church
George Wolff VFW Post #425
Cargill
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Recent News
Random Acts of Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness
Here are a few simple things you can do to surprise and delight someone today :
- Be a good neighbour
- Send a card of thanks or positivity to a senior (send to our dear friends and wonderful Empty Bowls supporters at Summit Place! Summit Place Senior Campus, c/o Libby Jensen, 8501 Flying Cloud Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344)
- Run an errand for someone
- Shovel a walk and/or driveway for someone
- Walk a neighbour’s pet
- Drop off a meal (kit) with special recipe card
- Pay it Forward
- Pay for the person behind you at the drive through
- You’ve been PROP’d – Fill the Bowl for someone else
- Spread sunshine to your neighbours with this simple and easy “You’ve Been PROP’d” random act of kindness
- Complete HOW-TO with downloadable and printable signs & ideas, Click Here
- Spring Cleaning
- Donate old cell phones. You can donate them here-
- Cell Phones for Soldier : www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/donate/
- Computer Fixx : www.cccfixx.com/
- BestBuy, Cell Phone Providers, EcoATM (Recycle)
- Donate winter clothing
- PROP Shop www.propshopep.org/donations
- Donate Blood
- Memorial Blood Center, schedule appointment :https://www.mbc.org/donate-blood/locations/
- American Red Cross : https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=55347
- Donate old eyeglasses to an organisation that will reuse them
- Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation : https://mnlerc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Eyeglass-Recycling-Collection-List-12-20.pdf
- EDEN PRAIRIE Cub Foods, Eden Prairie City Hall, Eden Prairie Community Center, Eden Prairie Senior Center, Insight Vision Care, Jamison Optical, Jerry’s Food, Park Nicollet at Methodist Hospital, Pearl Vision – Eden Prairie Mall – 8251 Flying Cloud Dr, Summit Place, Target Vision- Eden Prairie Mall, The Colony, The Prop Shop, Wal-Mart Vision World
- Donate old cell phones. You can donate them here-
- Donate to a food shelf
- PROP Food Shelf : https://propfood.org/food-donations/
Covid Relief Campaign
COVID RELIEF CAMPAIGN: $25K GIFT MATCH.
Your financial support helps stabilize a family, senior or individual in crisis (whether that means help with food, housing, employment, transportation, or even just provide a listening ear to help them navigate through).
Double your impact! Every dollar donated to this campaign, will be matched up to $25,000! This gift match opportunity runs December 1 – December 31st at midnight.
Donate Now!
COVID RELIEF CAMPAIGN: GIFT CARDS
PROP is in need of gift cards, specifically to Cub Foods, Walmart, and Speedway gas station, in increments of $25.
Mail to: PROP, 14700 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.
Order online at CUB FOODS, WALMART, and SPEEDWAY and have sent directly to PROP.