MATTERnation, you did it! Your incredible generosity made Feeding Minnesota, our joint campaign with 5 Eyewitness News, a huge success! Together, we provided 50,000 healthy meals to children and families facing food insecurity and hunger this summer.
The power of collaboration coupled with the beauty of community coming together to do something bigger than any one of us could do alone was remarkable. Like when the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx organizations teamed up with Twin Cities Hy-Vee grocery stores for “Together We Pack” to help support the campaign.
Early in the summer, Hy-Vee shoppers participated in Feeding Minnesota by making a donation at checkout to MATTER. Generously opening their hearts and their wallets, shoppers gave more than $15,500 to help those in need of healthy food this summer.
Dan Hanson of Plymouth, one of the many Hy-Vee shoppers who contributed to the cause, explained to KSTP reporter Kevin Doran why he wanted to help, “I like to help people out when I can. I mean, I’m not well off by any stretch myself but I can certainly afford five bucks when I go grocery shopping, and if that helps somebody else get through these tougher times, that’s what I want to do.”
Once the money for the food was raised, it was time to pack at MATTER’s headquarters in St. Louis Park. Bringing the same energy and enthusiasm to packing MATTERbox snack packs that they bring to the court, Lynx players and staff got down to business and assembled 2,500 snack packs in record time. Not to be outdone, Hy-Vee employees packed enough MATTERbox meal kits to provide 3,000 meals.
“We’ve all come from different backgrounds and different walks of life and have been afforded the opportunity to get to help people that need it,” Lynx assistant coach Plenette Pierson said. “And it’s important for us as a community to show that we are the Minnesota Lynx and we’re representing the entire community.”
The MATTERbox snack packs and meal kits were distributed to families at Urban Ventures, an organization that for 25 years has been providing cradle-to-career support for youth and families in one of Minneapolis’ most under-resourced neighborhoods. Lynx players and staff, joined by Hy-Vee employees, handed out the meals along with the Timberwolves’ mascot, Crunch, who brought extra smiles to the kids’ faces.
Jennifer Ridgeway, Executive Vice President of Social Responsibility for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, shared why her organizations participate in these community outreaches.
“It was a privilege for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx to partner with Hy-Vee for ‘Together We Pack’ helping to feed Minnesota’s children. Investing in our communities means committing to the health and wellness of our young people. We look forward to the next opportunity to pack MATTER meals and support the families in our community.”
When the power of collaboration meets the power of community and the spirit of incredible generosity, great things happen. Not only were 50,000 healthy meals provided for hungry Minnesota children, but these children now know they matter because strangers took the time and effort to help meet their needs.
And you, MATTERnation, made it happen.
Our deepest thanks to all the corporations and volunteers who went above and beyond to ensure that Feeding Minnesota was a success. A special thanks to our campaign partner, 5 Eyewitness News, for focusing the spotlight on hunger and food insecurity in Minnesota and telling the stories of what MATTERnation is doing to combat this crisis.
We’re honored to support you all in your efforts to improve our community. The needs may be great, but the opportunities to do good are even greater. Especially when we work together!
This video illustrates the incredible generosity of the Minnesota Lynx, Minnesota Timberwolves and Hy-Vee in partnership with MATTER for “Together We Pack” this summer.
