From February 4 to 11, 2021, for every transaction recorded at participating downtown restaurants, a group of community supporters will donate a meal to Channel One. Rochester Downtown Alliance will tally restaurants’ self-reported transactions and announce the final number of meals donated after Improv-ICE's conclusion.
Due to overwhelming response on the first distribution day, the District and Channel One have made modifications to enhance the prepared meals and RPS meal kit distribution process at Graham Park.
Organizers encourage donors to continue their outpouring of support for local causes, expand giving to meet the moment this year.
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.
Starting Wednesday, October 7th, Channel One Regional Food Bank will begin offering prepared meals at select off-site locations in Olmsted County for the first time in its history. The ‘Channel One Prepared Meals Program’ was created to address the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants in the prepared meals program will receive two meals at each location– one for that day and one for a later time. Masks are required and social distancing is encouraged at each of the sites.
To combat the hunger crisis, Channel One along with the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, the Rochester Public Library, and Rochester Public Schools have come together in a unique partnership to help address this food gap in our community. With state funding, Channel One and its community partners will will increase accessibility and the amount of food sent home with elementary school students who would otherwise not be able to access free meals at school on the days that they are distance learning and will not have enough food to eat over the weekend.
The southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin region helped to raise $49,335.03 for local families in need through Walmart and Sam’s Club’s “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign. In its seventh year, Walmart and Sam’s Club engaged their customers and members, along with 22 suppliers to fight hunger during this challenging time and support local food banks across the country.
Channel One Regional Food Bank is conducting a search for a local licensed caterer who can help provide prepared meals for food-insecure individuals and families in Olmsted County. Channel One sees this partnership as a way to address the widespread impact of the COVID-19 emergency on the region. This program is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education.
During a time of growing uncertainty, the one constant is food. The need for consistent programs that offer dignified access to nutritious food continues to grow, and Channel One Regional Food Bank is prepared to provide a promise to its neighbors in need.
On Monday, April 20, Hy-Vee partnered with their melon supplier Sol Group to donate nearly 2,000 jumbo watermelons to Channel One Regional Food Bank in Rochester, Minnesota. The donation will be distributed throughout the 14 counties in Southeast Minnesota and Western Wisconsin that Channel One serves.