FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2020
Contact:
Peter Leggett
peter.leggett@ci.stpaul.mn.us
651-307-8603
SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, Mayor Carter announced a new initiative with Youthprise to offer more than 40,000 meals a week to Saint Paul families in need. Starting on Tuesday, April 28, and running through June 5, seven community recreation centers, including two operated by nonprofit partner organizations, will serve as meal distribution sites.
“Too many in our community are facing economic hardship because of COVID-19,” said Mayor Carter. “This partnership with Youthprise helps families in need by providing healthy meals for our children.”
"Youthprise is pleased to partner with the City of Saint Paul to address gaps in meal service for children and youth," said Youthprise Vice President Marcus Pope.
“This new effort expands our capacity exponentially to provide meals to those who don’t have reliable access to healthy, affordable food,” according to Muneer Karcher-Ramos, director of Saint Paul’s Office of Financial Empowerment. “We are grateful to be collaborating with Youthprise and our partner distribution sites run by Sanneh Foundation and Arts-Us to offer good food to those who need it.”
Families with a minor child in the home will be eligible to pick up one meal bag per child per week. Each meal bag contains 7 dinner meals and 7 snacks including fresh fruits and vegetables, juice, a variety of sandwiches, crackers, cheese, milk, and more. The meal bags will be available for pick up at the following times and locations:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-4 p.m.
- Conway Recreation Center (Sanneh Foundation), 2090 Conway St
- Tuesday and Thursday, 2-4 p.m.
- El Rio Vista Community Center (in partnership with Neighborhood House), 179 Robie St E
- McDonough Recreation Center, 1544 Timberlake Rd
- Palace Recreation Center, 781 Palace Ave
- Wednesdays and Fridays, 2-4 p.m.
- Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave
- Rice Recreation Center, 1021 Marion St
- Dunning Recreation Center (Arts-Us), 1221 Marshall Ave
The City’s meal sites will be operated by City Parks and Recreation staff. For residents who cannot safely travel to these sites, the City will offer a limited meal delivery service. Delivery locations will be identified on a rolling basis. Check stpaul.gov/parks-covid19 for more information.
These meals will supplement the meal program supported by Saint Paul Public Schools which serves families with children enrolled in the public school system. The combined efforts of the City and its partners along with the school district and local food shelves will mean over 100,000 meals per week will reach Saint Paul families.
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