Only a click away, the Free Meals for Kids mobile app will help families and kids find free meals at schools and other sites across Minnesota during COVID-19.

How it works

1. Download the Free Meals for Kids app to your cell phone.
2. Use the app to find the nearest site providing meals and meal packs by GPS.
3. Click on the nearby site and use the Meals Updates tab for more details.
4. Share the app with friends, neighbors and on social media.

Free Meals for Kids can be downloaded at Apple or Google Play app stores.

There are free meal sites across the state at schools and community locations. The app provides location, directions to the site and hours and days of distribution. More sites are added daily.

For More Information
Visit www.hungerimpactpartners.org.

Additional Resources
Call the 2-1-1 Hotline, text COVID to 898211 or text “Summer Meals” to 97779, Spanish speakers, text “Verano” to 97779.

www.caerfoodshelf.org

FOODSHELF
Once every three weeks families and individuals shop in a grocery store atmosphere, making their own food selections.

FOOD OUTREACH
Kidz Kitz: This is a weekly supplemental food package made available to families with school age children for 12 weeks in the summer. Kidz Kitz are distributed at CAER during regular hours of operation.

Young Adult: This program reaches at-risk teens and young adults by having a food shelf on-site at Open Doors for Youth in Elk River.

All food programs are available to any resident in need living in Elk River, Otsego, or Zimmerman.

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crossservices.org/food-assistance

CROSS is committed to serving families and individuals in times of need by providing mercy and compassionate supportive services.

CROSS exemplifies:

• People helping people.
• People collaborating to strengthen community.
• People whose words and actions create hope and bring joy.

FOOD MARKET/MOBILE FOOD PANTRY

CROSS provides fresh produce, bread, frozen and shelf stable foods. Families choose food best suited to their needs in a grocery store type setting. CROSS provides mobile food pantries that deliver food directly to people in need.

FOOD OUTREACH

KidPack: Weekend food and hygiene packs for local kids as well as healthy snack bars for hungry students before lunch.

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www.health.state.mn.us/people/wic/index.html

WIC is a nutrition and breastfeeding program, helping eligible pregnant women, new mothers, babies and young children (up to age 5) eat well, learn about nutrition, and stay healthy.

The program provides personalized nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods, and referrals to health and other social services. The nutritious foods issued include fruits, and vegetables, milk, eggs, whole grain foods, and more!

If your family participates in programs such as Free & Reduced School Lunch, SNAP, or Medical Assistance, you may automatically qualify for WIC. Contact the Minnesota State WIC office to learn more, 1-800-942-4030!

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mn.gov/puc/telecommunications/telephone-discounts

Minnesota’s Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) and the federal LIFELINE Program help make telephone service affordable to low-income consumers. TAP offers a $7.00 per month discount on home landline telephone service.

The Lifeline Program offers a $9.25 per month discount on home landline or internet service OR on cell phone service. How do I find out if I am eligible? Contact your service provider to ask if you qualify.

How do I apply?
Your phone service provider can assist you with the application(s) or contact the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for assistance, consumer.puc@state.mn.us or 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782.

Students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals may be eligible for Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) to purchase food for days they are not in the school building. To be considered, households must submit an application for free or reduced-price meals for the 2020-21 school year or be approved for Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. 

Families who received P-EBT benefits last summer are not automatically eligible; eligibility is based on the current school year. Benefits may be retroactive to September 2020, depending on when eligibility for free or reduced-price meals is determined. To ensure you qualify for the most benefits, please submit your application as soon as possible.

The P-EBT Hotline is available for families Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., to answer questions about P-EBT benefits. They may call 651-431-4608 or 1-833-454-0153, or submit questions through the P-EBT Help Form, which is available in multiple languages.

Technology device swaps will be available during meal pick-up times for those who have appointments in advance. Please call 763-241-3490 or visit www.isd728.org/LetsChat.

If your child requires specific dietary needs or you have additional questions regarding meal service, please contact our Food Service Department at 763-241-3400 x1352.