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Current Events in Afterschool

Resources, tools and information about federal and state policy impacting afterschool and young people across minnesota

Groceries photo

Federal Government Shutdown Impacts SNAP Food Access for Families

USDA Policy changes are decreasing young people, family and individual access to SNAP food benefits.  This page will provide tools and resources that your afterschool program can use to support, children, youth and families access to food during the federal shutdown.

1. Provide Families Information on food shelves, restaurants providing free meals and other community resources to pick up food (MN Emergency Food Resource Full Guide). 

2. Partner with a local food shelf or federal food program provider to provide food boxes, kits, snacks and meals


 

Minneapolis Weekly Meal Sites (Recurring by Day) 


See Full Schedule Printable Flyer Here

 

Statewide Free Food Offers and Support (Select Locations)

Twin Cities Metro Area

 Hope Breakfast Bar (St. Paul): Free pancakes daily, 7–9 AM, no questions asked
 Hy-Vee (All locations): Free kids meals (12 & under), Nov 3–7, 4–7 PM
 East Side Market (St. Paul): $50 in free groceries with SNAP card, Nov 5–30
 Surly Brewing (Minneapolis): Free kids’ menu item Nov 4–6, 3–6 PM
 Smokestack Express (Bloomington): Free kids & meal with SNAP card
 Yummy Bites (Columbia Heights): Free warm waffle daily, 2–4 PM
 Heights Pizza Man (Columbia Heights): Free pizza, salad, and cheesebread for anyone in need
 The Buzz Café (Burnsville): Free community chili dinner, Nov 5 from 5:30–7:30 PM
 Whiskey Creek BBQ (Burnsville): Free BBQ meal when asking for “Whiskey Creek meal”

 

Greater Minnesota

 The Brass Rail (Grandy): Email brassrailchicken@gmail.com for food assistance
 Cabina Coffee (Pine City): Free grilled cheese meal for youth 17 and under
 Lock & Dam Eatery (Hastings): Free adult spaghetti and kids meals every Tuesday in November
 Mac Shack (Red Wing): Free SNAP menu every Tuesday
 Irishman’s Shanty (Crookston): Free kids chicken strip meal—just call and ask for the SNAP promotion
 Rand's Gluten Free (Oakdale): Free pizza for SNAP families with gluten sensitivities (call 651-335-3353)
 Shakopee Bowl (Shakopee): Free kids hamburger meal daily, dine-in only
 929 Bar & Grill (Winona): $5 meal deals for kids and adults every Thursday in November
 Dairy Queen (Stewartville): Free homemade-style meal for anyone in need, Nov 1

 

Delivery & App-Based Offers

 DoorDash: Free delivery and service fees for one grocery order with SNAP/EBT
 GoPuff: $50 in grocery credit for SNAP recipients (Nov 1–15 and Nov 16–30)