Where to Find Food Help in Minnesota Amid the SNAP Shutdown

From the Twin Cities to Greater Minnesota, here’s where to find free meals, groceries, and ways to give back
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As the federal government shutdown threatens to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—affecting more than 444,000 Minnesotans—local organizations and restaurants are stepping up to make sure no one goes hungry. Food shelves across the state are preparing for a surge in demand, while community kitchens and small businesses are offering free meals and groceries to families in need.

Below, we’ve rounded up essential food assistance options across the Twin Cities, suburbs, and greater Minnesota, along with simple ways you can support them.

To add to this list, please email Editor-in-Chief Alesha Taylor. Last updated Nov. 7, 2025.

Photo by Cultura Creative/Adobe

Twin Cities

Free Meals

  • Cafe Racer (Minneapolis) – Free take-out lunch the last Monday of every month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Focus MN (St. Paul) – Lunch bags Mon–Thurs 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; community dinner Sundays 5-6:30 p.m.
  • Hope Breakfast Bar (St. Paul) – Free pancakes to take home, no questions asked, 7-9 a.m.
  • J. Selby’s (St. Paul) – Free plant-based community bowl—no questions asked; Wednesday–Saturday: 11 a.m.–8 p.m; Sunday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Loaves & Fishes MN – Find a free meal using their online search tool.
  • Open Hands Midway – Free community meals (takeout only); Mondays: Hot meal served 12–2 p.m., plus produce and bakery items; Wednesdays: Bagged lunch served 12–2 p.m., plus produce and bakery items.
  • The Nook and Shamrocks (St. Paul) – Free kids’ meals to families who show a SNAP/EBT card during the benefit suspension.
  • Radisson Blu Mall of America (Bloomington) – Free, warm pot pies beginning Nov. 10. Fifty chicken or vegetarian pot pies will be available every Monday from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, first come, first served. The hotel will also open a community food shelf, Blu Pantry, later this month.
  • Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation St. Paul Opportunity Center – To-go meals daily, 4:30-5:15 p.m.
  • Shobi’s Table Food Truck – Free or pay-what-you-can meals across St. Paul, Tuesday–Friday (Christ on Capitol Hill, Rice & Larpenteur, Faith Lutheran, Allianz Field).
  • St. Matthew’s Catholic Church (St. Paul) – Dine-in or take-out, Monday–Friday, 5-6 p.m.
  • Surly Brewing Co. (Minneapolis) – Free kids’ meals Nov. 4–6, from 3-6 p.m. The offer is open to all families—just mention “Kids Special” when ordering from the kids’ menu (dine-in only, one item per child per day).
  • Taco Johns (multiple locations) – The Mexican chain is offering a free bean or beef burrito along with a round of potato oles to anyone who needs it at many of its locations. All you need to do is ask for the “Community Special.”

Food Shelves & Groceries

  • DoorDash – DoorDash is helping SNAP recipients during the federal aid lapse by delivering 1 million free meals through food banks and waiving delivery and service fees on one grocery order for eligible customers. From Nov. 1–30, 2025, SNAP users can link their EBT card to their DoorDash account and use promo code SNAPDD to receive $0 delivery and service fees at participating stores, including Hy-Vee, Dollar General, and Sprouts.
  • East Side Market (St. Paul) – From Nov. 5-30, East Side Market will offer $50 in free groceries—including meat, bread, and milk—to SNAP EBT customers whose cards haven’t been reloaded for November.
  • Fare For All – Discounted grocery pop-ups, including West 7th Community Center (first Friday of each month).
  • Glendale Food Shelf – Located at 1138 Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis, the Glendale Food Shelf serves North Minneapolis and is open Sundays, 3-5 p.m. (closed Nov. 9, 2025).
  • GoPuff – GoPuff is offering SNAP recipients up to $50 in free groceries this November, split into two $25 credits with free delivery—use code SNAPRELIEF1 from Nov. 1–15 and SNAPRELIEF2 from Nov. 16–30 after adding your SNAP/EBT card to your account; each offer is limited to the first 200,000 users.
  • Hallie Q. Brown Food Shelf (St. Paul) – By appointment; call 651-224-4601.
  • Mill City Farmers Market (Minneapolis) – Starting Nov. 1, any customer who presents an EBT card at its info booth can receive $10 in Farmers Market Bucks.
  • Minnesota Hunger Solutions – Search for a local food bank or call 888-711-1151.
  • Neighborhood House Food Market (West Side & Montreal Avenue) – Free produce and pantry staples, multiple weekday hours.
  • Sanneh Foundation – Multiple options for community food distributions.
  • Twin Cities Mobile Market – A grocery store on wheels offering affordable food throughout St. Paul neighborhoods.

Suburbs

Free Meals

Food Shelves

Greater Minnesota

Restaurants & Businesses Helping Out

  • 929 Bar & Grill (Winona) – Discounted comfort food this November—its cheeseburger basket special (normally $8) will be just $5 every Thursday except Thanksgiving. The deal also applies to kids’ chicken tender and grilled cheese baskets.
  • Dairy Queen (Stewartville) – Free homemade-style meal for anyone in need on Nov. 1, starting at 10 a.m. Meals will include a sandwich or sloppy joe, potatoes, and a vegetable—one meal per person, while supplies last. No questions asked.
  • Duluth’s Best Bread (Duluth) – Kids under 12 can get a free day-old bread or pastry daily.
  • Eggroll Queen Food Truck (Little Canada) – Free community meals every Wednesday and Friday from 3–8 p.m. while SNAP benefits are paused. Pick up fried rice, pork stir-fry, and chicken dumplings at 85 County Road B East—no ID or payment needed. To reserve, message them on Facebook with “EQ Meal(s),” your household size, and pickup time.
  • Irishman’s Shanty (Crookston) – Free kids’ chicken strip meals during the SNAP lapse.
  • Lock & Dam Eatery (Hastings) – Free kids’ meals and pasta dishes for EBT recipients every Tuesday in November.
  • The Mac Shack (Red Wing) – Free SNAP menu every Tuesday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Courtesy of Eggroll Queen

How You Can Help

If you’re in a position to give, local food shelves need support more than ever:

Second Harvest Heartland

Got surplus food from your farm, store, or commercial kitchen? Second Harvest Heartland—the region’s largest food bank—is calling on growers, retailers, and manufacturers to donate excess food to help fill fridges across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Their Brooklyn Park facility can safely handle large-scale donations of fresh produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, and more, ensuring that good food doesn’t go to waste. Donations can be dropped off at 7101 Winnetka Ave. N., Brooklyn Park; for questions, contact 651-209-7960 or receiving@2harvest.org. (Note: Second Harvest accepts commercial donations only—individuals can support by donating funds or volunteering.)

Greater Twin Cities United Way

Greater Twin Cities United Way has launched its Emergency Food Relief Campaign to provide immediate support to families facing hunger. With food shelf demand surging and United Way’s 211 helpline reporting an 82% increase in food-related requests, the organization has already distributed $105,000 in emergency grants to local partners including Route 1, The People’s Market, and The Food Group. Community members can help by donating at community.gtcuw.org/food, volunteering, or hosting food drives, while those in need can call 211 or visit 211unitedway.org for assistance.

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