RICHFIELD
COMMUNITY GUIDE 2025
A helping hand available to those in need
When residents need a helping hand, several organizations are available to provide hunger relief.
Perhaps the most well known is Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People, or VEAP. VEAP is the Twin Cities’ largest food pantry, providing access to healthy foods, social services, and financial assistance to residents of Bloomington, Richfield, Edina and south Minneapolis. It serves more than 10,000 individuals each month.
In the 1970s, a small group of churches in Richfield and south Minneapolis that delivered Meals on Wheels became increasingly concerned about the poor and deteriorating living conditions of seniors in their community. This along with other societal issues mobilized a group of 13 Bloomington and Richfield churches to band together and in 1973, VEAP was formed.
The food shelf has staff and volunteers fluent in Spanish, Somali, Russian, Mandarin and other languages to assist patrons of all backgrounds. Generally, it operates 9 a. m.-4:30 p. m. Monday through Friday. There are no income requirements to shop the pantry.
In addition to an onsite food pantry, VEAP operates a mobile food pantry and conducts at-home deliveries. The organization also has a team of social workers and case managers to address short- and long-term needs, including a limited rental and utility assistance program.
VEAP also has supplemental programs for students attending school at the Edina, Richfield and Bloomington school
14 | RICHFIELD | Community Guide 2025 districts that are likely to be food insecure during the school day or throughout the weekend.
Others offer a supplemental hand to feed the community. Fare For All hosts a pop-up grocery store at up to 40 % reduced costs one day each month at the Richfield Community Center. Products include fresh produce and frozen meat bundles that vary from $ 10- $ 30. No pre-registration is required to participate.
Loaves & Fishes gives away free to-go meals 5-6 p. m. Monday-Friday at Hope Presbyterian Church and 5:30-6:30 Saturday-Sunday at Woodlake Lutheran Church. The program welcomes anyone who would benefit from a free, nutritious meal – no questions asked.
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People 9600 Aldrich Ave. S., Bloomington 952-888-9616 veap. org
Fare For All 763-450-3880 fareforall. org
Loaves & Fishes 612-377-9810 loavesandfishesmn. org