Loaves & Fishes

06/15/2026

Minnesota is on pace for a fifth consecutive year of record food shelf visits, over 9 million in 2025 alone, roughly 2.5x pre-pandemic levels.

In a new op-ed for the Star Tribune, our Executive Director Michael Tankenoff writes about what's really driving this: it's not one bad year. It's housing, groceries, childcare, and healthcare costs all rising faster than paychecks. According to United Way's ALICE research, 35% of Minnesota households can't cover their basic costs, and one in four workers in the state's most common jobs fall into that gap.

The people showing up at food shelves today often don't match the picture many of us carry in our heads. They're working.

They're planning ahead. They're our neighbors.

Read the full piece in the Star Tribune tribune here: https://www.startribune.com/us-household-budgets-cost-of-living-grocery-costs-inflation/601856366

Minnesota is on pace for a fifth consecutive year of record food shelf visits. Many working families simply cannot make ends meet in this economy, Michael Tankenoff of Loaves & Fishes writes.

06/15/2026

What's a recipe you love? A family staple, a summer favorite, a dish that always brings people together, we want to hear it. Drop it in the comments below or send us an email.

And if you want to be part of bringing meals to 400+ Minnesotans tonight, we'd love to have you volunteer. Register to volunteer online at www.loavesandfishesmn.org/volunteer/

06/14/2026

To every volunteer who showed up this week, thank you.

You gave your time so that hundreds of Minnesotans could sit down to a free, healthy meal. That means more than we can put into words.

Loaves & Fishes relies on our amazing volunteers to expand our reach through our Community Program and Community Distribution Programs, and we will never take that for granted. Whether you've been with us for years or just had your first shift, you are part of something really special.

See you next week? Sign up to volunteer online:

www.loavesandfishesmn.org/volunteer/

06/13/2026

We want to give a team Shoutout to our Site Coordinator, Mel!

(She's in the bottom right of this photo. Alongside a couple of incredible volunteers.)

She's adapted, problem-solved, and ensured 400+ guests receive a hot and nutritious meal at St. Matthew's each night.

And that's just the beginning. Mel has been consistently sending site content, jumping in to support our operations at the North Warehouse, and somehow also finding time to fix our office monitors and get the internet back up and running.

She does all of it with an attitude that makes everyone around her better.

Mel, we see you, and we are so grateful you're on this team. 💛

06/12/2026

We may have met the coolest dog in Minnesota.

06/02/2026

Summer's favorite fruit has arrived, and we can't wait to share it with our neighbors.

What's YOUR favorite summer fruit? Let us know in the comments.

Our Food Rescue Program saves millions of pounds of wholesome food each year, from farms, grocery stores, restaurants, and more! That food is transformed in our Commissary Kitchens and Community Meal Locations and served as free meals, no questions asked!

Learn more or get involved: www.loavesandfishesmn.org

06/01/2026

NOW HIRING: DOT Driver in Minnesota!

Do you have your DOT certification and a passion for making a difference in reducing hunger? Loaves & Fishes is looking for a driver to help with our Food Rescue Program!

Every route you run helps feed our neighbors across Minnesota.

Apply today:
loavesandfishesmn.org/careers/dot-driver-1099-contractor-mn

06/01/2026

We 💗 our volunteers!

Loaves & Fishes serves free meals to Minnesotans where the need is greatest, and we couldn't do it without our incredible community of volunteers who show up each week to make it happen.

We offer multiple ways to get involved, no experience needed.

Sign up at www.loavesandfishesmn.org/volunteer/

And if you or someone you know needs a free meal, find a location near you at www.loavesandfishesmn.org/find-a-community-meal/

05/28/2026

A huge THANK YOU to everyone from the Kings of Kings Church volunteer group who came out to serve with us this week! Your time and energy make a real difference for our neighbors experiencing hunger.

Getting involved is easy: Visit loavesandfishesmn.org/volunteer to browse volunteer opportunities near you and sign up today!

We’d love to have you join us as we work to reduce barriers to food access.

KKing of Kings Lutheran Church