NOURISH Celebrates 6 Years: From a Pandemic Pivot to a Community Movement
Six years. It’s funny how time can feel like both a blink of an eye and a lifetime of shared memories. As we stand here today, looking back at where NOURISH began and where we are headed, we are filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. What started as a rapid response to a global crisis has blossomed into a vibrant, essential community hub.
Today, we aren’t just celebrating a milestone on a calendar; we are celebrating the thousands of stories, the hundreds of volunteers, and the deep, unbreakable bonds we’ve built right here in the heart of our community. We are celebrating six years of dignity, six years of connection, and six years of making sure no one walks alone in their search for food security.
The Pivot: How a Crisis Birthed a Mission
To understand where NOURISH is going, we have to look back at March 2020. At that time, our focus was narrow but vital: we were the Mount Olivet Lab School’s Kids Cafe. Our mission was centered on providing safe, enriching spaces and on-site meals for neighborhood children in Rondo and Frogtown.
Then, the world changed overnight.
When the pandemic hit and schools closed, the immediate concern wasn’t just education: it was survival. Andrea Thomas, founder of NOURISH, remembers a pivotal moment when her daughter shared a heartbreaking reality: some of the children coming to the cafe mentioned their families had absolutely no food at home for the week. It was a wake-up call that echoed through our halls. We realized that serving a meal on-site wasn’t enough; we needed to get groceries into the homes of our neighbors.
With the support of partners like Second Harvest Heartland, we pivoted. We reimagined what food access could look like during a time of immense fear and uncertainty. We shifted from a small meal program to a full-scale food shelf in St. Paul, MN, born out of a necessity to protect and nourish our most vulnerable neighbors. This was the moment NOURISH was truly born: not from a boardroom plan, but from a neighborly call to action.
Growing Together: 34 Zip Codes and 1,000 Stories
What began as a crisis response for 60 to 70 families has grown into a movement that reaches far beyond the borders of Rondo and Frogtown. Today, NOURISH serves nearly 300 families each week: representing over 1,000 individuals: across 34 different Minnesota zip codes.
We’ve seen the face of food insecurity in Minnesota shift. We serve families who never thought they’d need to step foot in a food shelf, retirees whose fixed incomes no longer cover the rising cost of groceries, and young parents working multiple jobs just to make ends meet.
Our growth hasn’t just been in numbers, but in the depth of our services. From our Senior Power Hour to our partnerships with local universities, we have expanded our reach to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to healthy food in St. Paul.
Note: While our roots are in Rondo/Frogtown, our doors are open to neighbors across the Twin Cities. We believe that food security is a regional issue that requires community-wide solutions.
Erasing the Stigma: Dignity as the First Ingredient
One of the core values that sets NOURISH apart from a traditional food shelf in St. Paul is our unwavering commitment to dignity. For too long, accessing food assistance has been shrouded in a sense of shame or “less-than” status. We are here to change that narrative.
We operate on a client-choice model. When you walk into NOURISH, it doesn’t feel like a charity line; it feels like a grocery store. You choose the items that make sense for your family, your culture, and your dietary needs. Whether it’s fresh produce in St. Paul or pantry staples that remind you of home, the choice is yours.
By treating every neighbor with love, respect, and dignity, we are actively erasing the stigma of accessing food assistance programs in MN. We want our space to be a place of joy, not a place of desperation. We have seen firsthand how a simple “hello” and the ability to choose your own apples can transform a person’s outlook on their day. At NOURISH, you are not a “client”; you are our neighbor.
A Community Built by You: The Power of Volunteers
We often say that NOURISH is “neighbor-powered.” We wouldn’t exist without the incredible community of people who show up, rain or shine (or snow!), to make this work possible.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life. We have students from the University of St. Thomas getting real-world experience in logistics and community care, retirees who bring a wealth of wisdom and steady hands, and even neighbors who once received food from us and now want to give back.
When you volunteer for our food shelf in MN, you aren’t just moving boxes; you are building a safety net. You are participating in community solutions that address the root causes of hunger by fostering a sense of belonging. The community impact of these thousands of volunteer hours is immeasurable: it is the heartbeat of NOURISH.
The Next Chapter: Location, Location, LOCATION!
As we celebrate our 6th birthday, we must also be honest about the challenges ahead. We are at a critical crossroads. Currently, we operate out of the parking lot at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities (formerly the Old Ober Boys Club). While this space has been a sanctuary for us, we have officially outgrown it.
The need in our community is rising. As other food shelves in St. Paul, MN have been forced to limit visits or close their doors, NOURISH has remained a steadfast resource. But to continue serving 300 families a week with the dignity they deserve, we need more room.
We are actively seeking a new, permanent home. We need a space that offers:
- Greater Capacity: More room for refrigeration to stock even more fresh produce in St. Paul.
- Accessibility: A location that is easy for our elders and those with mobility challenges to navigate.
- Sustainability: A permanent footprint where we can expand our community garden partnerships and nutrition education workshops.
Finding the right location isn’t just about real estate; it’s about securing the future of food security for our neighbors. We need a “Location, Location, Location” that reflects the beauty and resilience of the people we serve.
How You Can Join the Movement
As we look toward the next six years, we invite you to be part of our story. The “pandemic pivot” was just the beginning. The real work: the long-term work of building a thriving, nourished community: happens now.
- Help Us Find a Home: Do you know of a commercial space in St. Paul that could house a community-centered food shelf? Let us know!
- Financial Support: Moving and expanding requires resources. Consider a donation to help fund our transition. Remember, there are significant tax advantages to donating to a non-profit like ours.
- Spread the Word: Follow us on social media and share our mission. Helping us “feed Frogtown” and the surrounding areas starts with awareness.
We have come so far in six years, from a small “Kids Cafe” to a lifeline for thousands. With your help, the next six years will be even more impactful.
Thank you for being part of the NOURISH family. Together, we are proving that when we lead with love and dignity, our entire community can thrive.
At NOURISH, we believe that everyone deserves access to healthy food, served with love and respect. We are dedicated to erasing the stigma of hunger and building a community where every neighbor is seen, valued, and nourished.