Nevis Student Opens Free Pop-Up Food Pantry to Feed Local Families

A new pop-up food pantry has opened at Nevis Public School, offering free meals to local families. The project, led by 4-H ambassador Anna P., aims to support around 12% of the school's students. Funded by grants and donations, the initiative provides easy-to-prepare meal kits before the winter break. Anna P., a Hubbard County 4-H ambassador from Nevis, secured a $500 grant from the University of Minnesota to launch the pantry. Nicklason Construction also contributed $250, bringing the total funds to $750. With her mother, Alicia, Anna bought ingredients for 60 non-perishable meal kits, each designed to feed up to five people.

On December 14, Anna and fellow 4-H Ambassadors assembled the kits and added handmade Christmas cards. The meals include options like spaghetti, tacos, and chicken wild rice hotdish, along with a chocolate chip cookie mix. The kits are now available at the Nevis Community Ed building until schools close for winter break. This is the first such pop-up food pantry in Minnesota since 2024, as other communities have faced delays due to supermarket fires or infrastructure issues. Any remaining funds will go toward seed kits for families in the spring.

The pantry will help feed dozens of Nevis families before the holidays. Each kit provides a full meal, including a dessert, and is free to collect. The project also sets aside extra funds for future gardening support in the community.