VEAP

Thank you, Thrivent and House of Prayer Lutheran Church, for your generosity and support! Your commitment to providing essential supplies for local families through VEAP makes a meaningful impact. We’re grateful for this partnership and the kindness of everyone involved. ??

VEAP’s March Food & Fund Drive is officially underway! In partnership with the Minnesota FoodShare Campaign, this annual effort helps stock nearly 300 food shelves across the state—including ours. With demand at an all-time high, we need your support! Host a food drive, donate, or spread the word to help us reach our goal.?Plus, every dollar donated will be matched up to $25,000, doubling your impact, thanks to Stanley and Kathy Knudsen.?Together, we can provide meals and hope for local families! Learn more and get involved: https://lnkd.in/gyS-wpyX

A huge thank you to the Nonprofit Financial Group for rolling up their sleeves to help pack toilet paper and pantry essentials at VEAP! Your support ensures that local families have access to everyday necessities. An extra shoutout to Alerus for generously purchasing the toilet paper for this event—your contribution makes a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. Collaboration like this strengthens our community, and we’re so grateful for partners who step up to help! ??

As the need for food assistance continues to grow, KSTP-TV stopped by VEAP to learn more about how we’re responding. Their coverage highlighted the increasing demand for food support in Minnesota and how VEAP is working to provide fresh, nutritious food to local families. https://lnkd.in/gNWzBEaq

?? Thank You, Points North! ?? We are incredibly grateful to Points North for hosting a fantastic birthday bag packing event as part of VEAP's Doing Good program! Their employees came together for a morning of giving back—packing over 170 birthday bags and donating books for our youngest pantry visitors. It was a joy to share more about VEAP’s mission and volunteer opportunities with the team. Community partnerships like this make a real impact, ensuring every child gets to celebrate their special day. Interested in group volunteering or our Doing Good program? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gfY3gU-R

?? Join Our Team at VEAP! ?? VEAP is seeking a Food Pantry Specialist (full-time, $21/hour) to support and enhance our essential food pantry operations. This role involves coordinating activities across our on-site pantry, mobile food pantry, food delivery services, and warehouse operations. A core part of the position is fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for volunteers, ensuring they have the tools and guidance to succeed in their roles. At VEAP, you'll play a vital role in creating access to fresh, healthy food for individuals and families in our community. VEAP is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. ?? View the full job description and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gQ3KPtVa Help us make a difference—join the VEAP team! ??

A huge thank you to our friends at UCare for braving the chilly weather to drop off a generous donation of diapers and baby formula! Did you know nearly 40% of the 25,000 families who visit VEAP each year have kids at home, including many with infants? Baby essentials like formula and diapers are always in high demand—and we can only stock them thanks to amazing donors like UCare. Want to make a difference? Consider hosting a diaper and formula drive! We’re in need of diapers of all sizes (newborn to pull-ups) and unexpired baby formula. Together, we can help little ones stay happy, healthy, and dry.

More than ever, families are turning to food pantries like VEAP for support. Demand has surged as people face inflation, job instability, and other financial pressures. Last Friday, FOX 9 | KMSP-TV and Second Harvest Heartland visited VEAP to learn more. https://lnkd.in/g9p8HGMU

VEAP is delighted to announce the appointment of Jennifer Harrison as our new Vice President of Advancement! Jennifer brings two decades of leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising, communications, and organizational management. In this role, she will lead VEAP’s advancement strategy, including donor engagement, corporate and foundation partnerships, community fundraising, and special events. Jennifer’s impressive background includes leadership positions at Dakota Woodlands, Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, and Emerge Community Development. She holds a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from Hamline University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of St. Thomas. Additionally, Jennifer is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. We are excited for Jennifer’s expertise and vision to further strengthen VEAP’s mission and community impact. Welcome to the team, Jennifer!

?? Birthday bag assembly line in full swing! Shoutout to United Properties for turning strategy into smiles. Thanks to their incredible teamwork, over 1,000 birthday bags were donated to bring joy to our youngest pantry visitors. ???? Thank you for spreading happiness and making a difference! ??