FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jessica Sund
Director of Development and Communications
Email: [email protected]
Rochester, Minnesota – November 17, 2020
Channel One’s newest pickup location for prepared meals at Graham Park begins this Friday, November 20 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Regular distributions will be available through the end of December every Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to noon. During school breaks and vacations, distribution will take place on Tuesdays. There are no income requirements to receive these meals.
This new pickup site is made possible by the generosity of Olmsted County. The site will also host Rochester Public School’s meal kits. This collaboration allows families to receive multiple meals for the week in one location. There is no pre-sign up necessary and no income requirements. Visitors will receive two prepared meals per individual in the household, and one week’s worth of meal kits per child in the household.
This is a drive-through distribution. Recipients are asked to follow these steps to ensure a smooth and safe operation:
- Enter Graham Park at the 14th Street SE and Broadway intersection.
- Proceed to Fairgrounds Avenue.
- Enter the Industrial Building (Building #35) from the north end.
- If able, please open/unlock the trunk or leave a seat open where the meal kit can be placed.
“Our hope is that no one has to miss any meals or go hungry because they cannot obtain food,” states Executive Director at Channel One Regional Food Bank Virginia Merritt. “We are grateful for all our partners like Olmsted County for helping to provide a space to reach our neighbors, and Rochester Public Schools for helping to increase the amount of food distributed by offering meal kits at Graham park as well.”
With schools transitioning back to distance learning, households need more solutions and access to food so that children at home do not have to go without. Channel One Regional Food Bank is not only responding with prepared meals, but also home delivery of groceries, and waived limits on food shelf visits.
Prepared Meals
With six pickup locations for prepared meals in Rochester and surrounding areas, Channel One aims to increase its reach and get food into areas where need is greatest. Locations for prepared meal pickups can be found here. There is no sign up necessary, and visitors will receive two prepared meals per individual in the household.
Channel One Regional Food Bank’s prepared meals program is funded with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using funds from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), CFDA 21.019.
Home Delivery of Groceries
Channel One also realizes many families may not be able to get to these locations or to the Channel One Food Shelf and is now offering home delivery of groceries. Deliveries can be scheduled by calling the COVID-19 hotline at (507) 328-2822 Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Click here to learn more.
No Limits on Food Shelf Visits
There are no longer any restrictions on how many times individuals and households can visit the Channel One Food Shelf. Shoppers are encouraged to come anytime to ensure there is plenty of food, milk, proteins, and produce for all in the household. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Friday.
Curbside pickup is also available 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Friday. Shoppers, Proxies, and/or Social Workers can call (507) 424-1720 to let Channel One know when they are in the parking lot for pickup.
Rochester Public Schools Meals
RPS Student Nutrition Services will now be offering a meal kit pick-up for all children 0-18 years old regardless of meal price eligibility. Students do not need to be enrolled at RPS to receive free meals. Children can receive one meal kit each week. Meal kits will consist of heat and serve and ready–to–eat entrees, fruits and vegetables, and milk. Instructions for storage and preparation will be available online. No pre-registration or paperwork is required. RPS meals will be offered from 10:00 a.m. to noon on November 20 and 24, and December 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, and 22.
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Channel One Regional Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, strengthens food access and builds healthy communities. Channel One operates food programs to serve local and area needs such as: a food bank, food shelf, mobile pantry, Childhood Hunger Program, and Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS). Channel One Regional Food Bank mobilizes organizations, volunteers, and donors to serve the network of more than 200 nonprofit programs that provide food for children, adults, and families in need. Channel One serves 14 counties across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For more information, call 507.287.2350 or visit helpingfeedpeople.org
