VEAP

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month from VEAP! 🌈💚

This month, we celebrate love, belonging, and the vibrant LGBTQ+ community that helps make our neighborhoods stronger.

Looking to join in the celebrations? Check out the Twin Cities Pride calendar of events and find ways to celebrate all month long: https://tcpride.org/events/

05/29/2026

We had to share this incredible donation from Gabby! 💚

Gabby has been such a thoughtful advocate for helping keep VEAP’s gluten-free shelves stocked, and yesterday’s donation made a huge difference. Check out Gabby's before and after pictures of the shelf!

At VEAP, we know every household has different needs, traditions, and dietary considerations. Whether someone is looking for gluten-free items, culturally familiar foods, or everyday pantry staples, we want our pantry to be a welcoming place where neighbors can find food that works for them and their families.

Thank you, Gabby, for helping create greater access and choice for our participants—and for reminding us how meaningful community support can be.

05/27/2026

VEAP’s Paul Jacobson recently joined Champions for Youth for an important conversation about food insecurity, reducing stigma, school partnerships, and meeting young people and families where they are.

We’re thankful for the opportunity to share more about the power of thoughtful, flexible community support and collaboration.

Take a listen to the episode! 🎧

05/26/2026

VEAP is SO excited to be part of this year’s Edina Art Fair! 🎨💚

We’re looking forward to celebrating community, enjoying incredible art, and collecting donations throughout the event to help stock VEAP’s pantry. Stop by the donation drive in the Lunds & Byerlys lot, soak in the creativity, and help support local families while you’re there!

🎨 The Edina Art Fair Returns June 5–7 for its 59th Year! 🎨

Join us at 50th & France for one of the nation’s top-ranked art festivals featuring more than 250 artists from across the country, live music, artisan food, family activities, shopping, patio dining and more!

This year’s featured artist, Megan Murrell, created “Welcome Migration,” inspired by the Monarch butterfly’s journey as a symbol of hope and transformation. 🦋

✨ Event Highlights:
• 250+ Fine Artists in 12 juried categories
• 2 Live Music Stages
• Beverage Gardens from Red Cow, Pajarito in the Plaza & Mr. Paul’s + Mothership in the Lunds & Byerly’s lot
• Culinary Artisan Marketplace & Food Trucks
• Emerging Artist Marketplace
• Kids Zone & Family Activities
• Minnesota Marketplace
• Dog-Friendly Event with a pet watering station & treats by Luca and the Five Girls in the Lunds & Byerly’s Lot🐾
• Shops & Restaurants at 50th & France joining in on the fun

📍 50th & France | Edina & Minneapolis
📅 June 5–7, 2026
Friday: 12–8 PM
Saturday: 10 AM–7 PM
Sunday: 10 AM–5 PM

🚍 Free Metro Transit rides to the fair
🚌 Free shuttle from Edina City Hall on Saturday & Sunday
🅿️ Free parking available in district ramps North, South, Center and Ewing lot

Donation Drive to benefit VEAP in the Lunds lot during the entire event. Thank you for dropping off a bag of pasta, rice, PB or canned goods for neighbors in need.

Come celebrate art, creativity, and community at this beloved kick off to summer tradition!

05/25/2026

VEAP will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day as we take time to remember and honor those who have served our country.

We will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday, May 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thank you for being part of our caring community. 💙

05/21/2026

Take a look at these incredible 5th graders from ISLA who chose VEAP for their special service project! 💚

The students focused their drive on collecting menstrual products and even created handmade signs to encourage their classmates to donate. We loved seeing their creativity, compassion, and leadership in action.

When the group dropped off the donations, they were able to see firsthand just how important these items are — the shelf was currently empty. Now, thanks to their efforts, pantry visitors will have access to essential products that are often difficult to afford.

What a meaningful way to learn about community care and direct impact. Way to go, ISLA students! 🙌

05/19/2026

That’s a LOT of toilet paper! 🧻💚

A huge shoutout to Jefferson Lacrosse (Jaglax) for collecting more than 2,800 rolls of toilet paper for VEAP’s pantry! We love seeing young people step up in such a big way to support their community.

And special recognition to the amazing parents who not only purchased massive amounts of TP, but also sacrificed their garages to store it all before the team’s packing event — now that’s teamwork.

Toilet paper is one of VEAP’s most-needed pantry items and one that relies entirely on community donations, so this gift means so much to the families we see visiting our pantry.

Way to roll, Jaglax! 🙌

05/15/2026

What an incredible week with Thermo King! 💚 Their team packed more than 25,000 items for VEAP, helping keep our shelves stocked and our programs moving strong. A special shoutout to Sydnie, Matt, Thomas, the entire “Purple Team,” and everyone who volunteered during the packing sessions for bringing so much energy and teamwork to this effort.

VEAP distributes around 50 Express Packs every day, helping ensure neighbors have quick access to essential food support when they need it most. Support like this—from hands-on volunteering to a generous $10,000 donation—helps keep our pantry ready to serve.

We’re proud to have partners like Thermo King helping power this work.

05/14/2026

The pantry has been buzzing these past couple of weeks, thanks to some fantastic teams rolling up their sleeves and jumping right in! 🐝

Shoutout to Hennepin County, R.E. Purvis & Associates, Inc., and Sensata for bringing their time, teamwork, and positive energy to VEAP. From packing and sorting to helping keep things moving behind the scenes, your efforts help keep our shelves stocked and our community supported.

We’re so glad you spent part of your day with us! 💚

05/12/2026

Huge thanks to volunteers like Andrea G. who not only see the needs in our pantry, but creatively rally their community around them! 💚🧂☕

Andrea recently hosted a “Spice of Life” donation drive after noticing our spice and beverage shelves were often the emptiest in the pantry. Her message to neighbors was simple but powerful: food is more than survival — flavor helps meals feel comforting, familiar, and like home.

From cumin, garlic powder, and adobo seasoning to coffee, tea, sauces, and drink mixes, neighbors donated items that help families create meals filled with warmth, culture, and care.

We love seeing thoughtful drives like this that help support the real, everyday needs of our community. Thank you, Andrea, for turning compassion into action — and flavor! 🌎🥫