 Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan joined veterans and hundreds of volunteers to take part in Wednesday's National Day of Service and Remembrance. Volunteers assembled 230,000 meals for food shelves across Minnesota.
"Today, 23 years after the terrorist attacks that shook the nation, we pause to remember all that was lost – the fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, colleagues, and friends who never returned home – and honor the courage and resilience of the American people," said Governor Walz. "By coming together in a day of service we show that we are stronger when we lift others up, and we reaffirm our commitment to do right by the soldiers, veterans, and first responders who put their lives on the line to serve their communities and their country."
"September 11, 2001, left a hole in our hearts and our country that can never be filled or forgotten," said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. "Today, in coming together to serve others, we remember and honor those lost – the workers and first responders who walked out of their homes for the last time that morning – embodying the selflessness demonstrated on that day and every day since. As we remember the tragedy of 9/11, the heroism demonstrated on that day, and the years of rebuilding, we are guided in our unity and service to our neighbors."
 On Monday, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan visited a child care center in Plymouth to highlight efforts to grow Minnesota’s child care workforce during Workforce Development Month. The state’s Dual Training Grant program has now been expanded to include the child care industry, providing $450,000 to support the training of dozens of new child care workers.
"During Workforce Development Month, we’re celebrating how we’re expanding our child care industry. Thanks to Minnesota’s Dual Training Grant program, students can pursue higher education while gaining hands-on experience," said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
 On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan celebrated a successful summer of the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) meals program. Summer EBT is a new income-based food support program that provides families with $120 per eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out for the summer. Over this past summer, Minnesota provided more than $55 million in grocery-buying benefits to nearly 457,000 children. Minnesota was the first state in the nation to submit to USDA the intent to operate this program last year.
"With universal school meals, we implemented a nation-leading effort to ensure no kid goes hungry. That shouldn’t stop when school’s out," said Governor Walz. "We provided groceries to 456,000 children this summer as the first state to commit to USDA’s summer meals program."
"As the first state to commit to the USDA's summer meals program, we’ve provided more than $55 million in grocery-buying benefits to over 450,000 Minnesota children," said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. "Efforts like this help make our vision of making Minnesota the best place for children to grow up in a reality."
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