Meet Up and Chow Down

What is the need?

On average, more than 900 children in the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) service territory on the Iron Range are enrolled in the Buddy Backpack Program each school year. Nearly a decade ago, UWNEMN's Board of Director and staff - and school districts - expressed a need for a summer feeding program to address childhood hunger when local youth could not rely on school lunches and/or Buddy Backpacks. 

Meet Up and Chow Down was piloted in 2016 in Chisholm; 1,680 meals were served.  Over the summer of 2025, 10,165 Meet Up and Chow Down lunches were served at 14 sites in Babbitt, Biwabik, Chisholm, Cook, Hibbing, Hoyt Lakes, International Falls, Keewatin, Mountain Iron, Nashwauk, and Virginia. 

What is the impact?

"I have personally experienced a feeling of comfort and safety from United Way having the lunches in the summer where my kids went to socialize when we were new to the community. As a mom who came from a big city, seeing the impact your volunteers made on family and other families made a difference how I view the United Way organization and the impact in our community. I am going to make sure my contributions are set up as soon as possible to support this organization and what they continue to do every day."

- Local parent's feedback about Meet Up and Chow Down

How do I bring Meet Up and Chow Down to my community?

In order to host a Meet Up and Chow Down site, a community needs:

• A safe public location (with rain option)
• A USDA-approved kitchen willing/able to make meals following program guidelines four days a week
• Enough volunteers to staff their community site from 12-1 pm Monday-Thursday June-August

Every site must go through a lengthy state approval process. Proposals for 2026 sites were due March 15, 2026. If you have questions about this process, please contact michelle@unitedwaynemn.org. 

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota's Meet Up and Chow Down provides free summer lunches for children.

How It Works:

1. UWNEMN applies for community sites to host Meet Up and Chow Down for the summer through the USDA and Minnesota Department of Education’s Summer Food Service Program. All sites must meet USDA/MDE requirements.
2. UWNEMN and community sites spread the word through schools, libraries, newspapers, social media, and radio.
3. Volunteers sign up to hand out lunches throughout the summer in each community.
4. Lunches are available rain or shine Monday-Thursday throughout the summer.
5. Sites are closed Juneteenth and the week of Independence Day.
6. Any child aged 1-18 is able to receive a free lunch at any location. 

How do I bring Meet Up and Chow Down to my community?

In order to host a Meet Up and Chow Down site, a community needs:

• A safe public location (with rain option)
• A USDA-approved kitchen willing/able to make meals following program guidelines four days a week
• Enough volunteers to staff their community site from 12-1 pm Monday-Thursday June-August

Every site must go through a lengthy state approval process. Proposals for 2026 sites were due March 15, 2026. If you have questions about this process, please contact michelle@unitedwaynemn.org. 

• Lunches are served first come, first served and are available rain or shine.
• Children must be present to receive lunches.
• Summer Buddy Backpacks weekend meal kits are also available at Meet Up and Chow Down sites on Thursday. 
• We ask families remember to be kind to the volunteers who are giving of their limited summer hours to hand out these meals out of the goodness of their hearts and care for our local children!
• Please help keep Meet Up and Chow Down sites clean by picking up after yourself when you've finished your lunch. 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

2026 Meet Up and Chow Down summer volunteer opportunities open on Monday, May 4, 2026. 
Contact UWNEMN Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator Emily Unhjem to express your interest early.

Check out other UWNEMN volunteer opportunities!

Every site must go through a lengthy state approval process. Proposals for 2026 sites were due March 15, 2026. If you have questions about this process, please contact michelle@unitedwaynemn.org.