A Nevis eighth grader, Anna Podoll, has taken a big step in helping her community. She initiated a pop-up food pantry at Nevis Public School. In October, Anna applied for a $500 Food Partner Challenge grant from the University of Minnesota Extension. Nicklason Construction added another $250, letting Anna and her mother, Alicia, purchase ingredients for 60 non-perishable meal kits.
Anna teamed up with about eight other 4-H Ambassadors to assemble the meals on December 14. These kits will be available in the Nevis Community Ed building until winter break. Each meal kit can feed up to five people and includes easy-to-make options like spaghetti, tacos, and chicken wild rice hot dish, plus a chocolate chip cookie kit.
“Food is my love language,” Anna said, emphasizing how important good food is for creating memories. The students also made Christmas cards to accompany the meal kits, adding a personal touch.
They spent about a week planning the meal ingredients. “We had to do a lot of math to figure out how to maximize our meals,” Anna reflected. With the goal of promoting healthy eating, they selected high-carb, nutritious meals that are not only easy to prepare but also enjoyable.
The idea for this pantry emerged after Northwoods Grocery & Café in Nevis burned down in the summer of 2024, leaving the area without easy access to fresh food. “Nevis doesn’t have the same resources as larger schools,” Alicia noted. “Even a small effort like this can make a big difference.” They estimate that the pantry will support roughly 12% of the school population.
Brooke Remer, an educator from the University of Minnesota Extension, mentioned that these 4-H Ambassadors are dedicated to community service projects. They’ve been involved in various initiatives for over a year.
There’s more good news: Anna stated they still have leftover grant money that will be used to create seed kits, promoting gardening and self-sufficiency among students. This gesture not only provides meals but encourages families to grow their own food.
Supporting local initiatives like this is essential, especially as food insecurity remains a growing concern across many communities in the U.S. As of 2022, about 10.5% of households in America faced food insecurity, a notable increase from previous years. Community-driven solutions like this pop-up pantry showcase the power of local action.
In the end, it’s about more than just filling bellies; it’s about building a sense of community and care. Through her initiative, Anna is not only feeding her neighbors but also sending a message of hope and support.
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