More than a Meal: The Partnerships, Passion, and Hard Work Behind District 191 Food Resources 

How District 191 harnesses the power of community to reduce hunger.

Picture a bag with enough food items to provide four meals for a single student. Simple items like oatmeal, ramen, single-serve snacks, crackers, juice boxes, milk, meat and cheese sticks that will be about three pounds or less when full. This is what student volunteers and community members are packing each week at Burnsville High School, 800-850 bags at a time. 

BrainPower in a BackPack is the overarching Hunger Relief Program through District 191, 191 Community Education, Burnsville High School Youth Services and Burnsville High School which benefits all students, staff and families in the district. High school students and community volunteers assemble hunger relief packages via three programs, including BrainPower in a BackPack, 191 Community Pantry and the seasonal 191 Fresh Produce Distribution. 

The weekly packing events are full of activity and excitement. BrainPower in a BackPack Coordinator Pamela Voigt shares that while the BHS Cafeteria may look a little chaotic during these events, there is a method to the madness. 

“We usually have about 20-25 students on Thursdays who start out by preparing all of the bags that come in sets of 100 by separating them out and then they start making laps to pack the bags,” said Voigt. “BrainPower can take 15 minutes to pack those 800 bags with a lot of volunteers because they move quickly. We have a couple of folks who do two bags at a time!”

Volunteers are excited to be a part of this program. For high school students, 25% of volunteers have at some point received food from BrainPower, so they are passionate about doing it for other students because they know the impact it has. The program is budgeted for 32 volunteer-run packing events a year with the food going directly to students, who can sign up at the schools or be referred by a school social worker.

The Beginning of BrainPower

The program started in 2008 because of a clear need. With more than 60% of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch, there were families facing challenges.

“We were seeing students whose last good meal of the week was Friday lunch at school and they would go home to little or no food with very limited access to food options over the weekend,” said Voigt. “As a Community Education program, we are able to expand that reach. We predominantly serve families with students in the district, but 30% of those who participate in the pantry or other programs do not have a student currently enrolled in the district, but may have had a student graduate, so they are all a part of the 191 community.”

The Burnsville Rotary Club provided funding for the program to begin with with additional community organizations pitching in over the years, including the Burnsville Savage Lions, Prior Lake Savage Optimist Club, Savage Rotary, Burnsville YMCA and others. 

Pantry Partnerships

Through the 191 Community Pantry program, members of the community can pick up grocery bags of food every first and third Tuesday of the month at Diamondhead Education Center. Each grocery bag has 10-15 nonperishable items designed for a family of four, including a box of assorted fresh fruits and vegetables when available. The Pantry is open to the public, with some bags being reserved for 20-30 Adult Basic Education students and their families who need food assistance. These are students who participate in classes that help students further their English language, academic, digital literacy, and career pathway skills. 

“The Adult Basic Education students are some of the hardest-working humans I have ever met,” said ABE Coordinator Susan Edmonson. “Many of them work multiple jobs, take care of their families, and find time to come to school to further their education. Many students are struggling to make ends meet, so the free food they receive twice a month is very much appreciated.”

On food distribution days, students from all different classes and levels come together to choose their fresh produce and grab a bag of pantry essentials. Edmondson says that this time feels like a celebration where students talk, bond, and laugh together when they see what produce is available that day and exclaim with joy when it's a favorite fruit or vegetable. In addition to getting extra help to support their families, they can find a connection with each other. 

The Community Pantry is another district program that has students who get involved. The BEST Transition program serves young adults who are ages 18-21 years who have an individual education program (IEP) plan targeting preparation for adult life. Students have a graduation plan that identifies skills they need to reach their employment, postsecondary and independent living goals. A group of BEST students serve as the primary volunteers for the Community Pantry Pack, where around 120-150 grocery bags are packed twice a month. 

“Volunteering plays a vital role in the BEST Program, as it provides students with meaningful opportunities to build and practice essential employability soft skills,” said BEST Transition Services Coordinator Ashley Gonnella. “Through volunteer work, students develop competencies such as task initiation, problem-solving, following directions, and maintaining high-quality work—all of which are critical for success in future employment and everyday life.”

BEST students are able to use this volunteer work as a job training opportunity and get volunteer credit. Past volunteers have gone on to work in grocery stores or other chain stores to pack bags, as well as taken jobs at Amazon or FedEx. They also help with the distribution at Diamondhead Education Center and to the middle schools. 

A Well-Oiled Machine of Community Involvement 

While the program is coordinated and run by district employees and volunteers, it wouldn't be possible without the contributions from the community. All of the funding for food costs are provided through donations, grants and internal giving programs where financial contributions can be made. Voigt takes advantage of bulk pricing and orders ahead in two-week increments, being mindful of the limitation of the storage space. The program has grown since its inception, originally starting at Sky Oaks, but it moved to BHS for more space and because Second Harvest food deliveries needed to be made at a loading dock. 

“We have food shelves in the area, but they have requirements around residency and income as well as restrictions on how often someone can visit,” said Voigt. “We are often a food shelf of second and third resort and provide items designed to provide eight meals for a family of five. We are happy to be able to provide the option.”

If you want to support BrainPower in a BackPack, you can find ways to help on the program website at www.tinyurl.com/brainpower191 

Bowls for BrainPower

One of the main fundraisers for the program is thanks to the dedication, talents and hard work of members of the District 191 Art Department. They spend their time making incredible pottery bowls for purchase through a free-will donation where participants pick out a correspondingly priced handmade pottery creation and receive a cup of soup sponsored by Valley Natural Foods, Kwik Trip and other local restaurant donations. 

Each empty bowl on display is a reminder that children in our community face empty bowls and hunger every day. The event has raised more than $100,000 to support BrainPower in a BackPack since its inception in 2008. 

Support Bowls for BrainPower: www.tinyurl.com/bowls191