Community Lifeline: Weekly Free Food Distribution Strengthens Burnsville Families

BURNSVILLE, MN - As food insecurity continues to affect households across Dakota County and the greater South Metro, a weekly free food distribution in Burnsville is providing a steady and reliable lifeline for families in need.

Hosted every Monday evening at South Metro Vineyard Church, the distribution is led by La Viña Burnsville in partnership with a network of nonprofit and community organizations committed to improving food access and household stability. The event takes place at 13798 Parkwood Drive, Burnsville, and operates from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., weather permitting.

The program is open to the community and designed to be accessible, dignified, and efficient. Distribution follows a drive-through format, with guests remaining in their vehicles while volunteers load groceries directly into trunks.

A Weekly Anchor in the Fight Against Hunger

For many families navigating rising food costs, housing pressures, and economic uncertainty, the predictability of a weekly distribution provides more than groceries. It offers stability.

Organizers say the goal is to remove barriers to access while maintaining consistency, especially for working families, seniors, and households with children. The bilingual outreach used to promote the distribution reflects the diverse communities it serves and underscores the importance of culturally responsive support.

Collaboration at the Core

The weekly distribution is sustained through coordinated partnerships that bring together faith-based leadership, nonprofit infrastructure, and regional food systems.

Key partners include:

• SANNEH Foundation, which supports logistics and community-centered programming as part of its broader mission to strengthen immigrant and underserved families across the Twin Cities.
• CAP Agency, formally the Community Action Partnership of Scott, Carver, and Dakota Counties, which connects residents to essential resources and plays a critical role in regional anti-poverty efforts.
• Second Harvest Heartland, which serves as a primary food source for the distribution, supplying fresh produce, dairy items, and shelf-stable goods through its statewide food bank network, according to organizers.
• South Metro Vineyard Church, which provides the physical space, volunteer coordination, and on-the-ground support necessary to sustain weekly operations.

Together, the partnership reflects a broader model increasingly used across Minnesota, where community-based institutions pool resources to meet immediate needs while strengthening long-term resilience.

How the Community Can Participate

In addition to receiving food, residents are encouraged to support the program through volunteering or donations.

Volunteer Support
Volunteers are typically needed on Mondays between 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to assist with sorting, packing, and loading food. Those interested can contact organizers directly at miguel@iglesiavina.org.

Food Donations
Donations of dry goods such as rice, beans, peanut butter, and cereal are accepted:

• Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Financial Contributions
Monetary donations may be made directly to South Metro Vineyard Church or to Second Harvest Heartland to help sustain food sourcing and logistics.

Weather-Related Updates

Because the distribution is held outdoors, operations are weather dependent. Organizers note that distributions may be canceled if temperatures fall below 15 degrees Fahrenheit or if severe weather conditions are forecast. Residents are encouraged to check La Viña Burnsville or South Metro Vineyard Church social media channels for real-time updates.

Community Information at a Glance

• What: Weekly Free Food Distribution
• When: Every Monday, weather permitting
• Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Where: South Metro Vineyard Church, 13798 Parkwood Drive, Burnsville
• Format: Drive-through distribution
• Cost: Free and open to the community

As food insecurity remains a persistent challenge across Minnesota, programs like this one continue to demonstrate how locally rooted partnerships can deliver meaningful, immediate impact, one Monday at a time.

MinneapoliMedia