Prop News
Most Needed Items
For week of May 18-22:
- 100% juice
- Crackers
- Razors
- Coffee
- Pancake mix
Our office is accepting food donations, now with a no-contact method of delivery. Donations can be dropped off Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30am -1:00pm and Wednesday evening 4:00pm – 6:30pm. Once in our parking lot, please honk your horn and a volunteer will come to your vehicle to retrieve your donation. If no one arrives, please call our main office line at 952-937-9120.
*Unfortunately, due to the unavailability of key items, we are not able to put together an Amazon Wish List at this time.
SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS PROGRAM 2020
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! In fact, as you might have guessed, the last several months have been difficult for our families as kids are home 24/7.
Summer Food for Kids Program 2020
PROP’s Summer Food for Kids Program remains a vital part of our mission to keep everyone fed. This program helps more than 800 school age children have healthy foods in their home (fresh fruits and veggies, dairy items like cheese and yogurt, and fan favorites like peanut butter, jelly and granola bars).
Purchasing New Healthy Food for Summer Food for Kids
The major change to this years’ Summer Food for Kids Program is where we are getting our food items. With challenges in the food supply chain to meet PROP’s consistent food needs, we have found an incredible new partner, Bix, to purchase ready-made produce boxes that contain favorites like carrots, apples, grapes and mandarin oranges. This box, along with dairy items and shelf stable favorites will be given out to families each month during the summer months. But, something that has changed for PROP, is one borne of safety. For the safety of volunteers, staff and clients, we have greatly reduced food rescue from grocery stores, which was a large portion of the food we distribute each week to families. To continue to meet our specific and consistent food needs, beyond food donations that we receive from individuals and groups, we have begun purchasing healthy food items for all food programs.
Gift Match Challenge
With the increase in our need to purchase more food, we are grateful to announce a $24,000 gift match for our Summer Food For Kids Program! This is our largest gift match ever – and it comes at a time when our need is the greatest. This gift match is available until it is met – so no deadline. Will you take the Summer Food for Kids Gift Match Challenge?
Donate today and your donation has DOUBLE the IMPACT!
COVID-19 Announcement
You are are #1 priority!
PROP is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy food shelf for all.
Effective Wednesday, March 18: All PROP services will be done via phone. Call 952-937-9120 during office hours.
Food Orders will be available (a standard monthly food order based on household size). You MUST call PROP’s main line to place your order. Same Day Order & Pick Up Only.
Call in Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30am-1pm, Wednesday eve, 4:00pm-6:30pm
Case Managers are available via phone for ALL OTHER SERVICES.
CALL PROP FOR ALL SERVICES: 952-937-9120
MONTHLY NEWS & UPDATES
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 event – raising funds to end hunger that is right in our very own backyard.
Soup. Handmade Bowls. Silent Auction. Local Entertainment. 100% of proceeds go to PROP Food Shelf to help those in need.
2020 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
St. Andrews Lutheran Church
Zinpro Corporation
Sandcastle Foundation
Silver Sponsors
ACIST Medical Systems
Health e(fx)
Prairie School of Dance
ECA Marketing
Barr Engineering Co.
EA Sween
Western National Insurance
Concious Branding
George Wolff VFW Post # 425
Scheels
IWCO
Bronze Sponsors
Driasi
EP Noon Rotary
Charter Bank
Quantitative Advantage
Prairie Bluffs Senor Living
MidwestOne Bank
I am not hungry anymore – Talia
PROP’s Holiday Gift Card Program
What is the Holiday Gift Card Program & Who Are the recipients
A program that provides PROP recipients with a special $30 gift card in December for each child and senior in the family.
PROP clients who meet the requirements are eligible to participate in the program: Live in Eden Prairie or Chanhassen, are an active and regular user of PROP’s food shelf or market between January 1, 2019 – November 29, 2019, and have children 0-18 living in the home and/or be a senior citizen aged 59+ or older
Why Gift Cards not gifts?
It’s all about CHOICE.
- We surveyed our clients and they all agreed that getting a gift card is the perfect, well, gift!
- Many want to go out and purchase the surprise present their children were hoping for,
- Others want to use it for their special holiday dinner,
- Several seniors just want to have a little extra money to spend on their family during this wonderful, yet stressful time of year.
- The choice is now theirs….a freedom they relish; a chance for them be the giver of the gift, not just the recipient. One client mentioned, “You help me be the hero in my son’s life since I get to go shopping for him!”
How can I sponsor a child or senior?
Here are TWO ways you can sponsor a child or senior:
- Go online to sponsor a child or senior.
- Buy in Store and Deliver as a Bundle
- Determine number of kids/seniors you’d like to sponsor (let PROP know)
- Have sponsors go to their local Target store and purchase a gift card worth $30 (please stress the importance of giving the exact amount to keep it equitable for all)
- Have participants deliver gift cards back to your central hub and then set a delivery date with PROP for the entire bundle of cards.
Deadline for delivery of gift cards to PROP is Friday, November 29, 2019.
Questions? Contact Mary Brown, Director of Development (maryb@propfood.org or 952-746-1890)
Thank you for investing in families and seniors by providing them with choice this holiday season. Your consideration of this program and the needs of PROP families and seniors is exactly the spirit of giving that makes us so grateful to have your support.
IN HONOR CARDS NOW AVAILABLE!! Want your gift to be in honor of someone? Print one of our free designs, fill out the details, and let someone know you were thinking of them while helping others this holiday season.
PROPerly Poised Fashion Show
This spectacular fundraising event showcases the very latest in fashion trends – from clothing to jewelry to makeup (for women, men and this year, kids) – with 100% of the proceeds benefiting PROP, the local food shelf serving Eden Prairie and Chanhassen. The event features clothing and accessories from high end stores and local boutiques, with models, stylists, designers, and makeup artists from around the Twin Cities donating their time and talent. Both women and men’s fashion will be on display during the runway event.
Summer Food For Kids
Why do we have our Summer Food for kids program?
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. This summer the program fed more than 800 school age kids healthy and nutritious food, including kid-friendly staples like mac & cheese, peanut butter, sliced deli meat, yogurt, cheese sticks and granola bars.
How does the program work?
During the months of June, July, and August, families with school-aged children who access the food shelf (current and new clients) will be offered an additional “child pack” consisting of a two-week supply of kid/teen-friendly groceries. New families can choose to participate in the “child pack” program only, or to access additional food shelf programs and services, such as a monthly food order of groceries that feeds a family for a week.
How can you/your community or business partner with PROP as a summer food for kids sponsor?
The Goal: Our donation “wish list” is based on an estimate of serving 1000 unduplicated children during the summer months (40% of the total number of school aged children receiving free or reduced lunch in Eden Prairie and 10% in Chanhassen). We are looking for sponsors to cover specific non-perishable food supplies or donate cash for perishable foods that we need to keep fresh and stocked for the program.
To learn more, contact Mary Brown at 952-937-9120
A dream come true – Casey
Many of PROP’s clients can’t afford to send their kids to summer camps. With a little help from PROP some dreams do come true. Here is one.
Casey, a 10-year old girl who always loved collecting toy ponies, was able to attend a five-day horseback riding camp in summer of 2014. She was thrilled to ride a real horse and even got to pick a horse of her favorite color. Thanks to PROP.
