Veap Inc

TOGETHER, WE CREATE PATHWAYS TO STRONGER, MORE HOPEFUL, COMMUNITIES THROUGH ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD, HOUSING STABILITY AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

VEAP'S FOOD AND BASIC NEEDS PROGRAM PROVIDES ACCESS TO HEALTHY, FRESH FOODS FOR HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING FOOD-INSECURITY. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES AN ON-SITE FOOD PANTRY, MOBILE FOOD PANTRY, STUDENT FOOD PACKS (SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN), FOOD DELIVERIES, SENIOR SHUTTLE, TRANSPORTATION (FROM THE ON-SITE FOOD PANTRY), AND NUTRITION EDUCATION. VEAP OPERATES ONE OF THE LARGEST FOOD PANTRIES IN THE STATE WITH 101,068 TOTAL FOOD PANTRY AND OTHER FOOD ACCESS VISITS IN 2021. OF THE OVER FOUR MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD THAT WAS DISTRIBUTED, 44% WAS FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. VEAP OFFERS FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, DAIRY, DELI, BAKERY, CULTURALLY SPECIFIC FOOD CHOICES, PROTEIN, MEATS, CANNED GOODS, AND NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS. PARTICIPANTS MAY VISIT THE ON-SITE FOOD PANTRY/MOBILE PANTRY AS NEEDED, TYPICALLY 1-2 TIMES PER MONTH.VEAP ADDRESSES TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS TO HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS BY PROVIDING FOOD DELIVERIES FOR SENIORS AND QUALIFYING INDIVIDUALS. THE MOBILE FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS AT DESIGNATED SITES IN AREAS OF HIGH NEED LOCATED THROUGHOUT VEAP'S SERVICE AREA. STUDENT FOOD PACKS PROVIDE SCHOOL-YEAR, WEEKEND FOOD FOR YOUTH IN THE EDINA, RICHFIELD, AND BLOOMINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICTS. IN TOTAL, VEAP DELIVERED FOOD TO 5,148 INDIVIDUALS, PREPARED WEEKEND FOOD PACKS FOR 6,781 STUDENTS, AND PROVIDED 13,581 MOBILE PANTRY NEIGHBORHOOD VISITS IN 2021. VEAP'S STATE-OF-THE-ART COMMERCIAL AND TEACHING KITCHEN PROVIDES ON-SITE NUTRITION EDUCATION CLASSES AND SERVES AS A BUSINESS INCUBATION SITE FOR START-UP BUSINESSES THAT PRODUCE FOOD FOR MARKET WHOLESALE.

VEAP'S SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES CARING, PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING FOOD-INSECURITY, HIGH-RISK OF EVICTION OR HOMELESSNESS, AND FINANCIAL CRISIS. THROUGH A HOLISTIC SERVICE DELIVERY WITH HOUSING STABILITY AT THE CENTER OF OUR FOCUS, SERVICES INCLUDEHOUSING (TENANT/LANDLORD) ADVOCACY, CASE MANAGEMENT, REFERRALS, RESOURCE NAVIGATION AND COORDINATION, AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF RENT, DEPOSIT, OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO MAINTAIN HOUSING OR EMPLOYMENT. IN TOTAL, VEAP PROVIDED $5,805,786 IN RENT OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE, $3,208 FOR GAS/BUS CARDS, AND $6,669 FOR GIFT CARDS FOR OTHER ESSENTIAL BASIC NEEDS.PARTICIPANTS WORK WITH A SOCIAL WORKER AND/OR HOUSING SPECIALIST USING A STRENGTHS-BASED, CASE MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS AND STABILIZE INCOME. SOCIAL SERVICES STAFF MEETS WITH PARTICIPANTS TO COMPLETE AN INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENT AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, AND NAVIGATION OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO HELP REGAIN STABILITY QUICKLY.