BLOOMINGTON
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Lending a hand in times of need
Nonprofit organizations have a long history of providing a helping hand to Bloomington residents in times of need.
Bloomington’ s longstanding hunger relief organization 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. to 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 longterm needs, including a limited rental and utility assistance program.
VEAP also has supplemental programs for students attending school at the Bloomington, Edina and Richfield school districts that are likely to be food insecure during the school day or throughout the weekend.
Another longstanding hunger relief program is Loaves & Fishes. The organization distributes free to-go meals 5-6 p. m. weekdays at Christ the King Lutheran Church. The program welcomes anyone who would benefit from a free, nutritious meal – no questions asked.
Bloomington-Eden Prairie Meals on Wheels provides hot lunches on weekdays for $ 5.50, delivered by volunteers. Microwaveable frozen meals for the weekend are also available for delivery on Fridays. There are no qualifications or age restrictions for the program.
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People 9600 Aldrich Ave. S., Bloomington 952-888-9616 veap. org
Loaves & Fishes 612-377-9810 loavesandfishesmn. org
Bloomington-Eden Prairie Meals On Wheels 952-835-1665 bloomingtonmealsonwheels. com
2026 | Bloomington Guide | 15