Avivo partners with local organizations to distribute free meals

Avivo is excited to partner with Second Harvest Heartland’s Minnesota Central Kitchen and Involve MN to combat food insecurity in the Chicago Avenue neighborhood in Minneapolis. We are helping to provide 75-100 free, fresh warm meals to people in need. Food is distributed by Avivo’s Community Support Program staff, Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and is available to all community members.

*Avivo staff get ready to distribute meals in this image captured by Second Harvest Heartland staff.*

In 2020, Avivo’s Community Support Program (CSP) adapted quickly and transformed services to bring support right where participants live. Within the CSP, Avivo’s FoodWorks program was started to reduce food insecurity and increase access to healthy food in the community.

“Access to healthy food is a human right. Food justice is an important component of Avivo’s FoodWorks program,” shares Lam Truong, program director in Avivo’s Community Support Program. “Folks are very appreciative of the food… the opportunity to have a free, hot meal.”

“Access to healthy food is a human right. Food justice is an important component of Avivo’s FoodWorks program.”

Food insecurity has increased in Minnesota since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Second Harvest Heartland, 170,000 Minnesotans (including 112,000 kids) now face hunger and don’t know where their next meal will come from.

Avivo hopes to help solve that question, according to Lam. He shares that the food program starts with surplus food being donated to Second Harvest Heartland. After that, their Minnesota Central Kitchen program and volunteers at Involve Minnesota prepare and distribute the food throughout the metro area to sites like Avivo’s.

“After more than a year of distancing due to COVID-19, it’s been an all-hands-on-deck approach for this meal distribution program, with staff from multiple programs helping out. It’s great for staff to get out and engage again in the community,” shares Lam. “We had lost that connection. This gives us an opportunity to engage with new people who aren’t members of Avivo’s Community Support Program and talk about the services we offer.”

Avivo is proud to be a partner in fighting hunger in partnership with Second Harvest Heartland, their Minnesota Central Kitchen program, and Involve Minnesota.