PRISM Fights Summer Hunger

(Golden Valley, MN, June 2016) – In Golden Valley and the surrounding cities there are over 7,000 children on free-and-reduced meal programs at school. These programs provide kids with a healthy breakfast and lunch each day during the school year. The same families face significant strain during the summer months, and too many kids don’t get the food they need to be healthy and grow. PRISM responds to this need through its Campaign Against Summer Hunger.

PRISM is the designated food shelf for Golden Valley, Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale, and Plymouth. More than 4,200 households visited PRISM’s Marketplace Food Shelf over 19,000 times last year, receiving more than 600,000 pounds of food. The food shelf is located in Golden Valley at 730 Florida Avenue South, is available on a walk-in basis, and is open Mondays 11 -7, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 – 4, and Thursdays 9 – 2.

“During the summer months we experience a 25% increase in the number of families accessing our Marketplace Food Shelf compared to the rest of the year,” said Michelle Ness, executive director. “We’re glad that families turn to us in their time of need, and we’re thankful for the generosity of the community which allows us to help them.”

In addition to providing food through its Marketplace Food Shelf, PRISM’s Campaign Against Summer Hunger includes:

• Summer Food Boxes: Families visiting PRISM’s Marketplace Food Shelf who have school-aged children are given an additional 25-pound box of nutritious, kid-friendly snacks and easy-to-fix meals.

• Farmer’s Markets: Starting this year, PRISM will administer SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits at the Golden Valley and New Hope farmers markets. This new and unique program is filling a need at the markets and directly increasing access to healthy food for low-income people who rely on SNAP to feed their families. PRISM will also continue to receive the excess produce generously donated at the end of each day’s market. The Golden Valley farmers market is located at 7800 Golden Valley Road (under the water tower), and is open on Sundays from 9am to 1pm beginning June 19. The New Hope farmers market is located at 8701 N. 36th Avenue, and is open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm beginning June 18. PRISM will join both markets by the first weekend of July.

• Produce Distributions: Also new this year, PRISM staff and volunteers will be located at Elim Lutheran Church (3978 W Broadway Ave, Robbinsdale) to distribute free, fresh produce. Distributions will occur between 11:30am and 2pm on July 19, August 2, August 16, September 6, September 20, and October 4. This program is open to the public, and PRISM expects to serve 300 families during each distribution. Participants will complete a same-day registration form at the distribution, no appointments or prior registration is necessary.

“When children and adults have access to adequate, nutritious food they are healthier both mentally and physically, and they have an improved quality of life that we all deserve,” said Ness. “We’re very proud of our expanded summer services.” said Ness.

PRISM invites the community to join them in their fight against summer hunger by making a tax-deductible financial gift, organizing a summer food drive, or volunteering. To learn more about how to get involved with PRISM’s Campaign Against Summer Hunger, visit www.prismmpls.org/summerhunger.

About PRISM

PRISM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was founded in 1970 by community members responding to meet the basic needs of local individuals and families. Its mission is to provide social services and connections that empower people to build healthy, stable lives. Practicing the values of collaboration, innovation, dignity, and accountability, PRISM believes that all people have inherent strengths and abilities. The generosity of the community is what allows PRISM to provide assistance for food, housing and clothing through the Marketplace Food Shelf, Housing program, and Shop for Change Thrift Shop. To learn more visit www.prismmpls.org.