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Last year, in the United States looked to food banks and food pantries for support, according to a 2023 report from Feeding America. The end of COVID-era government assistance programs and the rising cost of groceries due to inflation have many Americans facing food insecurity.

According to a 2023 Department of Agriculture report, 12.8% of households around the country—about 17 million—were . That's up from the 10.2% of households who had difficulty providing food for everyone in their home in 2021, and also up from the 10.5% who said the same in 2020. It's the highest share of food-insecure households in the U.S. since 2014.

The rise of food insecurity and the economic situation in the U.S. means that food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand. "Local food banks, pantries, and community meal programs have become an essential component of many households' food budgets, especially as we continue to face increased food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, accompanying the nonprofit's aforementioned report. In an earlier 2023 survey from Feeding America, 65% of responding food banks reported an .

It can be difficult to know where to go if you want to help, as many do during the holiday season in particular. To help guide you, compiled a list of food bank volunteer opportunities near Minneapolis using data from . Read on to see what you can do for those grappling with food insecurity in your community, from distributing lunches to seniors to serving meals at soup kitchens.

Spanish Intake Assistant
- Organization: Community Emergency Service
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Regional Director-Minneapolis MN and Minnesota
- Organization: CitiIMPACT
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Sorting Food Shelf Food
- Organization: SOURCE MN INC
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From Foodie to Do Goodie: Cook for a Cause
- Organization: Simpson Housing Services, Inc.
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Food Shelf Generalist
- Organization: Agate Housing and Services
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Every Meal Volunteer Administrative Assistant
- Organization: Every Meal
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Weekday Intake / Reception Assistant (Spanish Speaking)
- Organization: SACA Food Shelf & Thrift Store
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Deliver Meals on Wheels
- Organization: Eastside Meals on Wheels, Inc.
- Dates: Nov 16 to Jan 1
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Bell Ringing
- Organization: The Salvation Army
- Dates: Nov 10 to Dec 23
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Food Shelf Advocate
- Organization: Idealist.org
- Dates: Jul 31 to Dec 29
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Pack Food For Seniors
- Organization: Longfellow/Seward Healthy Seniors
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(55+ Opportunity) Deliver a Hot Meal + Make a Senior's Day!
- Organization: Volunteers of America-MN--RSVP
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Deliver meals to seniors in St. Paul on a weekly or on-call basis!
- Organization: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
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PR/Marketing Internship
- Organization: The Borgen Project
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Make a Dinner Date: Cook a Meal for Kiddos at the Nursery!
- Organization: Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
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Meals on Wheels Kitchen Volunteer
- Organization: Metro Meals on Wheels
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Student Opportunity--Fight Hunger Around America's Breakfast Tables
- Organization: CEREAL4ALL INC
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Food In the 'Hood at Cedar Valley (12-4 pm) - 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month
- Organization: Good in the 'Hood
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Meals on Wheels Frozen Meal Packer
- Organization: CEAP - Community Emergency Assistance Programs
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Veterans Affairs Food Pantry Volunteer
- Organization: Minneapolis VA Health Care System
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Share Holiday Meal, treats, cookies or pies! Bring joy and good tidings!
- Organization: Aeon
- Dates: Dec 20 to Dec 29
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Grocery Shopper - Bloomington - early morning helpers!
- Organization: Help At Your Door
- Dates: Nov 2 to Jan 31
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GROUP ACTIVITY! Packing Home delivered meals In Roseville
- Organization: Optage the Service Division of Presbyterian Homes and Services
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Meals and Snacks for Teens- Eagan
- Organization: TreeHouse
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Food Market Assistant (Beginning in Janurary 2024)
- Organization: Neighborhood House
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This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 101 metros.