PROP News and Events
Hunger Doesn’t Always Look Like What You Expect
When people think about hunger, they often picture something far away.
A different place.
A different kind of community.
Not here.
Not in neighborhoods filled with good schools, busy families, and grocery stores just a short drive away. But hunger exists here, too. And in suburban communities, it often goes unseen.
It doesn’t always look like empty cupboards or obvious need. More often, it looks like families doing everything they can to keep things feeling normal.
It looks like:
Packing lunches that stretch just enough
Saying “we’ll go to the store later”
Making one meal last longer than it should
It looks like quiet adjustments—made every day.
During the school year, there is a built-in support system.
Children have access to breakfast and lunch.
There is structure.
There is consistency.
Even for families who are struggling, those meals create a sense of stability.
But when summer arrives, that support disappears.
And in suburban communities—where need is often less visible—families are more likely to carry that burden alone. For children, the impact can be subtle, but significant. Hunger doesn’t always show up as asking for more food.
Sometimes it sounds like:
“I’m not that hungry.”
“I’ll eat later.”
Or it looks like taking a smaller portion without being asked.
Summer should feel fun and light. But for many children, it becomes a season of quiet awareness— of what’s available, what’s running low, and what might not be replaced right away.
At PROP, we see how quickly this shift happens.
Families who may not have needed support before come in for the first time. Not because they haven’t planned. Not because they haven’t tried. But because the loss of school meals creates a gap that’s hard to fill—especially when costs continue to rise.
Suburban hunger can be harder to recognize. There’s often a belief that resources are abundant, that families are “doing fine,” or that help is available somewhere else.
But the reality is:
Many families are navigating this quietly.
Without drawing attention.
Without knowing where to turn.
That’s why support during the summer months matters so much. It meets families where they are—without assumption, without judgment. It provides food, yes. But it also provides something just as important: Relief.
Because when families don’t have to worry about how they’ll make it through the week, everything else becomes more possible. Children can focus on being kids. Parents can focus on stability instead of survival. And summer can begin to feel like what it’s meant to be.
When you give, you’re helping make that shift possible—right here in our community.
Not somewhere else.
Not someday.
But now.
Make your first impact today.
Because hunger doesn’t always look the way we expect—but together, we can make sure it doesn’t go unanswered.
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Returns to Eden Prairie on May 9
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will once again host its annual Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, the largest one-day food drive in the country. Locally, Eden Prairie letter carriers are proud to participate by collecting much-needed food and personal care items from neighborhood mailboxes and delivering them directly to PROP Food Shelf, where they will be distributed to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Eden Prairie and Chanhassen.
This annual food drive is a simple but powerful way for neighbors to help neighbors. In the weeks leading up to the event, PROP Food Shelf is providing printed donation bags that letter carriers will distribute to area residents. Participating is easy: residents simply fill the bag with nonperishable food or personal care items and place it next to their mailbox by mail delivery time on May 9. From there, letter carriers will take care of the rest—transporting every donation to PROP Food Shelf for immediate use in the community.
Items Most Needed
The need for food shelf support remains high, and PROP has identified several items that are especially helpful right now, including:
- High-protein canned or bagged items (such as tuna, chicken, beans, or peanut butter)
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Canned fruit
- Pancake mix and syrup
- Coffee
- Condiments
- Full-sized personal care items (such as shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, and deodorant)
All donated items go directly to support local community members facing crisis, helping to ensure they have access to nutritious food and essential household products.
Ways to Participate
- Fill the provided bag and leave it by your mailbox on May 9
- Encourage friends and neighbors to take part
- Make a financial donation online at www.propfood.org for those who prefer to give virtually
Every donation—large or small—makes a meaningful difference. Together, Eden Prairie residents, letter carriers, and PROP Food Shelf can help ensure that no neighbor has to face hunger alone.
When School Ends, Hunger Doesn’t: The Reality for Local Families
But for hundreds of families in our community, summer brings something far more difficult: uncertainty.
During the school year, children rely on access to free and reduced-price meals to help meet their daily nutritional needs. When school doors close, those meals disappear—leaving families to stretch already tight budgets even further.
This is what we call the summer hunger gap—and it is a reality that continues to grow in our community.
The Hidden Challenge of Summer
At PROP, we see firsthand how quickly needs shift when summer begins.
Families who may have been getting by during the school year suddenly face:
- Increased grocery costs with children home all day
- Fewer structured meal opportunities
- Rising pressure on already limited household budgets
For many, this means making impossible choices between food, rent, utilities, and other essential needs.
And increasingly, we are seeing families come to PROP for the first time during the summer months—seeking support to bridge this seasonal gap.
How PROP Steps In: Summer Food for Kids
That’s where Summer Food for Kids (SFFK) comes in.
PROP’s Summer Food for Kids program is designed to ensure that children continue to have access to nutritious, reliable food—even when school is out.
Through this program, families receive additional food support specifically intended to replace the meals children would typically receive during the school day.
Each Summer Food for Kids distribution is thoughtfully designed to meet real needs, offering:
- Kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare meals
- Fresh and perishable items like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein
- Staple pantry items that help families build complete, balanced meals
This year, we are also continuing to evolve the program based on what we hear directly from neighbors—expanding access to fresh, nutritious options and exploring new ways to bring food directly into the community.
Because we know that access matters just as much as availability.
More Than a Meal
Summer Food for Kids is about more than food.
It’s about stability.
It’s about dignity.
It’s about making sure every child can enjoy summer without hunger standing in the way.
When families have reliable access to food, it allows them to focus on everything else that matters—work, childcare, education, and overall well-being.
How You Can Help
As we prepare for the summer months, the need is already building.
You can be part of ensuring that no child in our community goes without the food they need by:
- Making a financial gift to support fresh and perishable food purchases
- Organizing a donation drive (with updated needs lists coming soon)
- Sharing this message to help raise awareness of the summer hunger gap
Every dollar, every donation, and every act of support helps us meet families where they are—when they need it most.
Together, we can ensure that when school ends, support doesn’t.
A Community Ready to Help: Join Us to Pack for a Purpose
Over the past few months, we’ve heard a message again and again—from longtime supporters, new families, corporate teams, and neighbors who simply want to do something meaningful:
“How can I help?”
It’s one of the most encouraging things we hear at PROP. In a time when so many local families are facing uncertainty, our community continues to step forward with generosity, compassion, and a desire to make a difference. People want to roll up their sleeves. They want to support their neighbors. They want to know their actions matter.
And here is one simple, powerful opportunity to do exactly that.
On February 10 from 5–7 PM, PROP is hosting Pack for a Purpose: Community Night—a hands‑on volunteer event where community members of all ages come together to pack food boxes for PROP clients. These boxes go directly to households in Eden Prairie and Chanhassen who rely on PROP each month for essential groceries.
If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to support local families, this is it.
Unlike fundraisers or long‑term volunteer commitments, Pack for a Purpose is designed for anyone who wants to help in a direct, tangible way. For two hours, volunteers will sort, assemble, and pack food items that become part of the lifeline PROP provides to families experiencing food insecurity. It’s simple work—but the impact is anything but small.
The best part? Everyone is welcome. Bring your kids. Invite a friend. Come on your own and meet others who care about strengthening our community. No special skills needed—just a willingness to lend a hand.
If you’ve been wanting to get involved, wanting to give back, or wanting to show support for families in our community, we hope you’ll join us. This is a night where your time becomes kindness made visible—one box at a time.
UPDATE: This event is now full. We will be holding another event soon. Thank you for your interest.
PROP Hosts February 5 Town Hall to Share Service Updates and Community Needs
PROP Food invites community members, partners, and supporters to attend a Community Town Hall on Thursday, February 5 at 6 p.m. at the Eden Prairie City Center (Heritage Preservation Room). The event will be led by Executive Director Jenifer Loon and will focus on emerging community needs, PROP’s current programs, and how we are adapting services to ensure food and housing support remain uninterrupted.
This Town Hall is an opportunity to learn more about PROP’s mission and how we continue to support local families with dignity, safety, and client choice at the center of our work. Staff will share updates on our service delivery model, including expanded options that make it easier for neighbors to access food—such as designated trusted individuals who can pick up food on a client’s behalf when needed.
We also recognize that housing stability is increasingly at risk for many families. By preparing now, PROP is working proactively to provide continuity of care and guide residents toward the resources they need before a crisis escalates.
Share Your Questions With Us
We welcome your input! Community members are encouraged to submit questions ahead of time using this link.
Bring Donations to Support Our Culturally Meaningful Meal Kits
Attendees are invited to bring items that will be used to create Arepas and Calabacitas Kits, which help us prepare delicious, culturally meaningful meals for our neighbors.
Most-needed items include:
Corn tortillas
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Small cooking oil (8.4 oz)
Salt
Pre-cooked white corn flour (Harina P.A.N. or equivalent)
These donations will be used during our community packing event on Tuesday, February 10 from 5–7 p.m. at PROP (14700 Martin Dr., Eden Prairie).
All Are Welcome
For more than 55 years, PROP has served as an essential resource for Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, and surrounding communities. Whether you’re a long-time supporter, a volunteer, a community partner, or someone who wants to learn more, we hope you’ll join us.
📅 Thursday, February 5
⏰ 6 p.m.
📍 Eden Prairie City Center – Heritage Preservation Room
Standing With Our Neighbors: How PROP Is Adapting to Serve Our Community
During this challenging time, our message to the community is clear and unwavering: PROP remains steadfast in our commitment to serving our neighbors. What is changing is how we deliver services — not whether the support is available.
Neighbors can continue to access food, and we are proactively preparing for the housing needs we know will increase in the coming weeks. Our team is taking thoughtful, deliberate steps now to ensure continuity of care while protecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of the people we serve.
To support this, PROP is adapting service delivery in client-directed ways. Clients may designate a trusted individual to pick up food on their behalf, ensuring uninterrupted access even if they are unable to visit in person. We are working with clients who are unable to identify a trusted proxy to pick up their groceries. This approach is intentionally designed to center client choice, comfort, and confidentiality.
We are also deeply aware that housing stability is at immediate risk for many families. Demand for emergency rent and utility assistance is expected to rise quickly. We encourage anyone who anticipates needing support to reach out as early as possible so we can explore available resources and provide guidance before a crisis escalates.
Food is a basic human need, and meeting that need on a community-wide scale requires more than good intentions. PROP operates a robust, highly coordinated food-distribution system — one built on trained staff, safety standards, logistics, and the capacity to serve at scale. This infrastructure ensures families receive consistent, dignified, and reliable access to food.
We are deeply grateful for the community’s desire to support our neighbors. Meeting rising needs requires a coordinated, established, yet adaptable system. PROP’s existing infrastructure can be amplified through coordinated community partnership. Financial contributions, donated food, and volunteering at one‑time events all directly reinforce our ability to respond swiftly and responsibly. These collective efforts ensure we can continue providing dependable, dignified care during a time when many families need us most.
PROP’s long-established systems exist precisely for moments like this — to ensure no family is left navigating uncertainty alone.
For more than 55 years, PROP has served as an essential resource for Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, and our surrounding communities. In moments of uncertainty, our role is not just to respond — but to lead with clarity, compassion, and stability. We remain steadfast in our promise to show up for our neighbors with transparency, care, and thoughtful support.
PROP Food Provides Extra Support Ahead of the Holidays
In December, PROP Food worked to make sure families had what they needed before the Christmas holiday closure. Knowing PROP would be closed for three days, we offered additional services to help our neighbors prepare:
Weekend Curbside Pickups
We hosted two weekend curbside pickup events, serving 134 households. These pickups gave families the chance to stock up on groceries ahead of the holiday break.
Mobile Food Distribution at Immanuel Lutheran Church
We also held a mobile food distribution event at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in partnership with Second Harvest Heartland. Together, we:
- Served 245 households
- Distributed 10,000 pounds of food
A Huge Thank You to Our Volunteers
These efforts wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible volunteers. They gave their time on weekends, braved the cold, and worked tirelessly to ensure every family received the food they needed. Your dedication and compassion truly embody the spirit of community. We are so grateful for you!
You Can Help Make a Difference
The need in our community doesn’t end with the holidays. Your support ensures that families have access to food year-round.
Donate today to help us continue providing essential services.
Every gift—big or small—helps feed our neighbors and strengthen our community. Thank you for being part of the solution!
Help Keep Families in Their Homes For the Holidays and Beyond
Your monetary donation to PROP this December will help to keep families in their homes for the holidays and beyond. We can’t thank you enough for embracing your neighbors who need extra help during these winter months.
And now is a wonderful time to give, because all donations made between December 1st through December 31st are eligible for a match up to $50,000 thanks to a very generous couple and Scheel’s – Eden Prairie. This is the couple’s 8th consecutive year of providing a matching gift of $25,000 and the third year that Scheels has matched their gift.
The couple shared, “We aspire to evidence our thankfulness to God in our daily life by doing justly, loving mercy and kindness, and walking humbly loving our neighbor. Recognizing the growing challenges and consequences of homelessness, our hopes and prayers are to keep families stable, secure and safe in their apartments or homes.”
Scheels commented, “SCHEELS is humbled to play a small role in such an impactful campaign! We are beyond grateful for PROP Food’s efforts and dedication to serving and supporting residents in the Eden Prairie and surrounding communities.”
We are so grateful to these generous donors whose gifts will help PROP to provide needed financial and food support to Eden Prairie and Chanhassen residents in need over the coming months.
Happy Holidays to you and yours, and thanks for caring.
Food Assistance Without the Stigma
MPR News November 24th
“Hunger and Shame – Breaking the Stigma Around Food Assistance.” By Catharine Richert and Cari Dwyer
PROP Food was mentioned in the 11/24/25 MPR News broadcast regarding the increased need for food assistance and how local food shelves like PROP Food in Eden Prairie are responding. Click on link to hear the program in full.
PROP Mobile Food Distribution Event
PROP is holding a Mobile Food Distribution Event on November 19th from 10 AM to 2 PM in the Eden Prairie Mall parking lot near the former JCPenney store.
A variety of foods will be available to select from including fresh produce, proteins, canned goods and ready to go items. Food available while supplies last.
All who need food during these difficult times are welcome. No ID is required to participate in this event. Current PROP clients will NOT having participation counted as one of their monthly visits.