Phone: (952) 925-4899
Address: 6812 West Lk, St Saint Louis Park, MN 55426. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
STEP provides confidential food shelf services to those in need residing in St. Louis Park. STEP requests residents make an appointment to use the food shelf by calling 952-925-4899. Services are delivered by licensed social workers and STEP volunteers. STEP requests a picture ID and verification of St. Louis Park address at the initial appointment and annually thereafter; postmarked within past 30 days. STEP offers a shopping model where clients may pick out their own groceries. STEP strives to have eggs, milk and meat available at each visit. Dry and canned goods are available at every appointment. STEP also provides product that is Kosher. In addition, for those households who keep Kosher, a gift care to the store for meat for Shabbat is provided. Households are encouraged to come 1 time per month. Households may come 2 times per month if discussed with a STEP social worker. Emergency food (1 bag of nonperishable goods, bread, meat, and shelf stable milk) is available to those who walk in or to those who cannot make an appointment. Homeless youth who drop in will be given emergency food. The individual is encouraged to meet with a STEP social worker to address any service needs not currently being met by other community providers. STEP social workers welcome calls from school district personnel to address an emergency food need of students even if the student resides outside of St. Louis Park. STEP Food Shelf Service Hours - Mondays: 8am to 4pm, Tuesdays: Noon to 8pm, Wednesdays: 8am to 4pm, Thursdays: 8am to 2pm, Fridays: 8am to Noon
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (952) 925-4899 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- St Saint Louis Park
Help Residents of Counties:
- Hennepin
Appointments
Ask whether you need an appointment before you visit.
You can call (952) 925-4899 to ask about appointments, hours, and what to bring.
Need more food help? See Food banks in Minnesota.
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Some food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
This is often a photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Food pantries typically provide shelf-stable items such as:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to a food pantry?
Rules vary by food pantry. Many ask only that you say you need help, while others may ask for ID, proof of address, income information, or a referral. Call ahead to find out what to bring.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry often provides food packages meant to last a few days to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food banks acquire large donations of food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Those organizations then provide this food directly to families in need.