Food & Basic Needs
On-Site Food Pantry
One of the largest in Minnesota, VEAP’s Food Pantry provides food to community members to make millions of meals every year. VEAP focuses on access to nutritious foods, distributing over 4 million pounds of food (more than half vegetables and fruits!) with a goal of positively impacting the health and success of the community.
Mobile Food Pantry
Our mobile food program provides regular access to fresh vegetables, fruit, bread, dairy and deli items to several convenient locations throughout Bloomington, Richfield, Edina and South Minneapolis. All are welcome at the VEAP Mobile Food Pantry! Click here to see our distribution areas.
Food Deliveries
We provide at-home food deliveries for community members who cannot easily leave their homes or who may have transportation barriers.
Nutrition Education
Presently suspended. Small group (10-15 individuals) nutrition education and cooking courses. Courses include topics such as recipes, meal planning, shopping on a budget, and healthy food choices. Courses range from one to eight weeks in duration and are typically two hours in length.
Student Food Packs
This school-year initiative provides food support for youth attending school in the Edina, Richfield and Bloomington School Districts who are likely to go food-insecure during the school day or throughout the weekend.
Birthday Bags
Families with young children celebrating a birthday receive a special birthday party bag that includes cake mix, frosting, party supplies, and a small birthday favor.
Social Services
Caring, professional support to individuals, families, children, and seniors experiencing food insecurity, high-risk of eviction or homelessness, and financial crisis.
Housing Advocacy
Support to maintain safe and stable housing, including communicating with property management, proposing payment arrangements, and guidance to secure affordable housing. Assistance interpreting housing subsidies and housing search tips and tools provided. Help understanding legal rights and responsibilities of renters and property owners and connections to legal professionals when necessary.
Financial Assistance
Limited emergency funds for deposits or rent to help maintain housing stability and prevent homelessness.
Transportation Assistance
Limited financial assistance for car repairs when necessary to maintain employment. Emergency gas cards, bus passes, and Metro Transit reduced fare cards (TAP program) to eligible individuals.
Individualized Case Plans
Comprehensive, strengths-based case management and individualized, support. Assistance with safety planning, goal setting, and budgeting.
Resource Navigation and Referrals
Designed to help members of our community understand how to access available resources, meet immediate needs, and work toward long-term, achievable solutions. Culturally responsive, on-site and community-based navigation services, and information and referrals to other vital community supports.
VEAP’s office is co-located with Hennepin County; however, we do not share visitor information with the county nor do we receive information from them.
