Free hot breakfast added in St. Paul
A healthy breakfast has long been touted as the right way to start your day. Now, people living on St. Paul’s east side can enjoy one for free every Wednesday morning from 7–8:30 a.m. at the Payne Ave. Salvation Army.
“Thank you, that was so good,” a man named Paul told the staff serving up scrambled eggs, sausages, rolls and fruit just this morning.
The program is made possible through a partnership with Loaves and Fishes. As word about the free meals spreads, the staff hopes the program will be offered more than once a week.
“The more people that know about it, the better,” said Debra Lazenberry, lead social worker at the Payne Ave. Salvation Army. “As far as I know, there’s not another breakfast program right in this area.”
Lazenberry hopes the program can expand by the end of the school year.
“We need to get the word out, so moms and dads know that they can bring their kids in for a healthy breakfast,” she said.
The Payne Ave. Salvation Army already offers a hot lunch every day, but guests like Shari say a morning meal is welcome addition.
“It helps me save money – I am in a tough situation right now,” she explained. “There are a lot of people in this neighborhood that are really struggling. There’s a whole lot of homeless people that you would never ever have known were homeless.”
Volunteer Dawn Van Wagner said she loves being able to offer another meal to the people who rely on this location for food. “Oh it’s awesome, it’s just awesome, it’s a true blessing,” she said.
March is Minnesota FoodShare Month. Your donations help support this and other essential food programs all year round.