 Hello Neighbors,
With SNAP benefits still in limbo and holidays around the corner, Rep Larry Kraft and I are hosting a FOOD DRIVE for STEP food shelf in St Louis Park. Drop off your non-perishable food items from 4-6 pm on Wednesday, November 19 on the east side of the St. Louis Park Rec Center parking lot (3700 Monterey Drive).
One in nine Minnesotans doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from. This is a particularly challenging time for families to put food on the table, and food shelf programs like STEP are seeing their resources rapidly stretched. Donations – whether food items or financial gifts – can make a big impact in the lives of families in our community.
In November, STEP provides recipients with a comprehensive list of both regular and holiday foods, as well as non-food essentials. The types of items STEP is generally unable to get at bulk prices include rice, canned vegetables and fruit, canned meat (tuna and chicken), jelly, cereals, dessert mixes, cooking oil, sugar, flour, and herbs and spices.
I hope residents who can will step up and generously support STEP’s efforts and make sure no one goes hungry this holiday season. Community members are also invited to make financial donations to STEP by visiting bit.ly/stepdonate or by mailing a check made out to STEP to 6812 West Lake St., St. Louis Park, MN 55426. By coming together, we can ensure no family is left behind in our community and everyone can have the food they need this holiday season.
Area residents who may need assistance with food are encouraged to call STEP at 952-925-4899 during business hours to set up an appointment to pick up food. Anyone is eligible to access food from STEP.
Every November 11, we honor those in our military who have served and/or are still serving our country. Thank you for your sacrifice and for all you do to keep us safe! A special shoutout to the veterans our my family including my husband Jacques (Navy), my father Roger Funk (Army – and his birthday is today!), cousin David Funk (Marines), and uncle Kim Funk (Air Force). We also honor our family members who have left us – grandfather George Ashton (Marines), uncle Robert Funk (Marines), and aunt Mary Funk (Army).
This summer, the Trump administration and Republicans in Washington ended the premium tax credits that helped make health insurance premiums more affordable for those in the private market. Now farmers, small business owners, working families, and seniors are facing premium hikes as high as 50%. Unfortunately, the Republican agreement coming out of Washington to reopen the federal government does nothing to lower these out-of-control prices for Minnesotans.
Minnesotans are already being squeezed by rising costs, for health care as well as groceries, housing, energy, and much more. Instead of addressing this affordability crisis, Republicans are making things harder. They ended Medicaid coverage for 140,000 Minnesotans earlier this year, and the Trump administration did everything they could to stop SNAP food assistance for families in need.
I’m grateful for our DFL Members of Congress and U.S. Senators, including Senators Klobuchar and Smith, who have stood firm in the fight to make health care more affordable. Health care should never be out of reach for working people, and House DFLers will keep fighting to build a system that puts the needs of patients first, not corporate profits.
The last few weeks have been busy ones. On top of an exciting election cycle, I met with a few great organizations who are working on improving student outcomes. I had the opportunity to attend a tour of Flint Hills Refinery put together by Rep. John Huot. I had the chance to meet with the folks from Think Small to discuss the opportunities and barriers in the areas of early childhood education. I also met with the Executive Director of the Perpich Center for Arts Education, Allegra Smisek, to hear about the incredible art outreach they do across the state. I would also like to thank the three different constituents who reached out to share their thoughts and personal stories over a cup of coffee.
In the last two weeks, there were two incredible community events that I had the chance to attend. Dr. Afira Hassan invited women from the Edina Morningside Rotary to the Women’s Venture Gala where we heard about the many resources Women’s Ventures provide women who are starting businesses. I rounded out the week attending the Minnesota Community Schoolyard Summit put on by the Minnesota Land Trust at the Westwood Nature Center. The focus was on how accessible outdoor space for our students can increase academic results as well as improve students’ mental health. If there is a community event that you would like me to attend, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Please continue to contact me anytime at [email protected] or 651-296-9889 with questions or input. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.
Enjoy the warmup in the weather this week!
 Rep. Cheryl Youakim
46B – Hopkins, Edina, & St. Louis Park
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