I hope that you'll choose to support me and my participation in the Walk to End Hunger. Together, we will make a difference for the 1 in 5 families and 1 in 8 people in the Twin Cities and surrounding communities who struggle to put food on the table. 

Team SKD Kitchens (Scott, Karen, Darby) started out in November 2012 and ever since, have done all they can to donate proceeds out of their kitchens and other resources to hunger fighting and relief organizations! Scott and I are leading and walking this year; Darby is working and "schooling" hard right now, but made a personal donation already and hopefully will be able to walk with us this year; and, we have more awesome team members who have joined us this year!

Every year, SKD Kitchens picks one or more non-profits to receive proceeds from their sales and fundraising efforts, and this year we've chosen to do our best to help out all the organizations participating in the 2020 Virtual Walk to End Hunger.  

It almost goes without saying that this year especially, it's important to make sure that organizations like these are fully funded.  Every single one is working really hard to eliminate food scarcity, provide meals and groceries, and nutritional support to communities in Minnesota.  The ones in bold below are those we are closest to right now, because we currently interact with them the most and they most directly help and provide meals and groceries in Farmington and Rosemount, where several team members live and work. 

Our goals this year include raising at least $5,000 that will go directly to help the above organizations and raising awareness about the hunger fighting/relief services in our communities--especially if they're connected to these organizations.  Several team members this year live or work in Dakota County, so we'll be highlighting Loaves and Fishes and Second Harvest Heartland a little more than the others, as they are directly connected to the Farmington, MN free community Loaves and Fishes meal, Caring Hearts in Action, and Farmington Food Shelf/360 Communities/Rosemount Family Resource Center.

Scott and I, alongside lots of amazing volunteers, provide a weekly community meal in partnership with the Loaves & Fishes organization.  Every Wednesday, since January 1, 2020, we have served a nutritious and delicious meal FREE to anyone who comes. It started as an indoor meal when the local grocery store closed; in mid-March it became a drive-up/to-go meal. Your donation, participation and support of the Walk to End Hunger will help to ensure that the groceries and ingredients used to make the Loaves and Fishes community meal in Farmington will be provided for as long as needed! Scott is known all over Farmington as "Chef Scott" because of the care he takes in making sure no one goes hungry;  we train and work with church and community volunteers to prepare and serve great meals and to be sure that there are no barriers or judgements regarding any of the guests who come. There are lots of logistical and safety challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, so we work hard to take every precaution we can to keep people safe and fed.

On Thanksgiving Day, we'll specifically keep in mind that many people walk a LOT farther than we do every day, just to work to earn money to put food on the table, or to find a community meal that serves all who come. We will walk knowing that for some, it is miles to get to a grocery store and for others the walk to get food can even be dangerous. This is true for people in Farmington where we serve the community meal because the closest grocery store is now 7 miles away.  It's pretty tough for folks without transportation or are on a limited budget.  Most stores won't deliver more than 5 miles with or without a fee, and lots of people can't afford to purchase the minimum amounts required.  The meal we prepare in Farmington each week serves between 200-250 guests every week and we wouldn't be able to serve this meal without the work and support of Loaves and Fishes/Second Harvest! Second Harvest Heartland also provides groceries for Caring Hearts in Action in Farmington for pennies on the dollar, helping hundreds of local residents who are out of work or have special needs because of disabilities or other limitations.   We are so proud to work with the Loaves and Fishes organization in partnership with Second Harvest Heartland to bring free, nutritious meals to everyone who needs one for as long as meals are needed.

Members of Team SKD Kitchens play an important part along with you in helping to reach our goals (fundraising and awareness that will lead to eliminating food scarcity, and provide hunger relief for all who need it). I hope you join us in this year's efforts! Together, we'll make an important difference in the lives of hundreds of neighbors in Minnesota.

Here's how you can help:

I love you!! You are a blessing to us and to so many.

Gratefully,

Karen Evenson

Team SKD Kitchens

P.S.  If you’d rather make a donation by cash or check (payable to Walk to End Hunger) that's just fine.  Donations may be sent to: