Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
During fiscal year 2026, Community Emergency Service (CES) responded to record community need, providing food, resources, and support to neighbors 194,737 times—a 35% increase over the previous year. Highlights include: -465,363 nourishing meals provided to 104,847 individuals experiencing food insecurity. -532 seniors and adults with disabilities received Meals on Wheels deliveries and regular wellness check-ins, helping them remain healthy, connected, and independent at home. -6,917 households were connected to housing, employment, nutrition, and other essential resources and support. -2,479 emergency food boxes were delivered to neighbors through Operation Metro Surge. -193 pets belonging to 103 seniors received pet food, supplies, and veterinary support through CES’s Ani-Meals program. -24/7 food access was expanded with the addition of a second bank of climate-controlled food lockers, giving neighbors greater flexibility to pick up nutritious food outside traditional service hours. -CES facilities were improved and expanded, including renovations to the Food Market, Meals on Wheels kitchen, and volunteer spaces to better meet growing demand. -530 individual volunteers and 36 volunteer groups contributed an incredible 18,030 hours of service to support CES and our neighbors.
Current Goals
During the current fiscal year, CES will continue increasing access to nutritious food through its Food Shelf and 24/7 food lockers while improving the efficiency and accessibility of these programs through operational improvements and an integrated software system. CES will continue expanding food rescue partnerships to increase the availability of nutritious food for neighbors in need. The organization will provide nutritious meals and wellness checks to more than 550 homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels and continue expanding the Ani-Meals program by providing food, supplies, veterinary care, and companionship for seniors and their companion pets. CES will also continue strengthening connections to supportive services by partnering with community organizations to provide resource navigation and assistance, while expanding volunteer engagement to enhance program delivery and meaningful connections for neighbors experiencing food insecurity and isolation
Community or Constituency Served
Community Emergency Service (CES) is located in the Phillips–Midtown community of South Minneapolis and has served neighbors experiencing food insecurity for more than 55 years. Our surrounding community is one of the most diverse areas of Minnesota and includes many families, seniors, immigrants, refugees, and individuals living on limited or fixed incomes. Approximately 85% of CES participants identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, and many of the neighbors we serve come from immigrant and refugee communities, including families from Latin America and East and West Africa. Our neighbors speak more than 160 languages, making culturally responsive and accessible services an important part of how CES delivers food and support. Economic disparities create significant barriers to food security and stability. In CES’s 55404 ZIP code, approximately 32% of residents live in poverty, compared with about 10% statewide. Median household income is less than half of the broader Twin Cities metro average, 84% of housing units are renter-occupied, and 47% of residents have a high school diploma/GED or less. Language and healthcare access can create additional challenges, with many residents speaking a language other than English and more than 15% lacking health insurance. These challenges are compounded by the rising cost of food, housing, transportation, utilities, and other basic necessities. CES is responding to historically high demand for food assistance by making nutritious food easier to access with dignity and flexibility. Through our Food Market, refrigerated food lockers, Meals on Wheels, Ani-Meals, community meals, and other supportive services, CES helps neighbors meet immediate needs while creating greater stability and hope. Today, CES serves neighbors from across South, Downtown, and North Minneapolis and the broader metro area. Our work is grounded in a simple belief: everyone deserves reliable access to nutritious food, compassionate support, and a welcoming community.
Geographic Area Served
Community Emergency Service (CES) is located in the Phillips–Midtown community of South Minneapolis and primarily serves neighbors throughout South, Downtown, and North Minneapolis. While our greatest concentration of participants comes from Minneapolis neighborhoods surrounding CES, our programs are available to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity from across the greater Twin Cities metro area.
