First Nations Kitchen (FNK) is a community outreach program of All Saints Episcopal Indian Mission, located at 3044 Longfellow Ave. S., in Minneapolis. This ministry strives to live up to the values of radical hospitality, food justice and environmental stewardship, while centering Native voices and traditions. Its primary intent is to provide food to indigenous people, and to others who would not otherwise have access to high-quality, fresh organic food.
St. John’s has been involved with this ministry since its inception. Members helped design, fund, and build the commercial kitchen in the undercroft of All Saints where meals have been prepared for over seventeen years. Prior to the Covid Pandemic, meals were served to a gathered community every Sunday evening. Guests were served by volunteers who were encouraged to share the meal they had served by joining guests at table.
Since the Pandemic, when indoor gatherings were discouraged, hot, to-go meals have been distributed along with bags of fresh produce to anyone who seeks food. On a typical Sunday, a cooking team (4-6 people) prepares 40-50 vegan meals and 120-140 meat meals in the morning. Every attempt is made to use foods indigenous to Minnesota: buffalo, turkey, fish, wild rice and, when possible, locally grown vegetables. A prep crew of 10-12 volunteers arrives at 12:30 to pack the hot meals into take-out containers and to pack 50-80 bags of fresh produce sourced from local farms, including Good Courage, the Co-Op Partners Warehouse, and other friends of FNK. They wrap up by 3:00. A final Giveaway crew of 8 volunteers arrives at 3:30pm to set up outside on 31st street, ready to greet our neighbors with hot and cold beverages, hot meals and produce, finishing food distribution and clean-up by 5:30.
Until recently, St. John’s provided volunteers in service to our neighbors at FNK for one Sunday a month during alternate months, but for about two years we have expanded our commitment to this ministry, volunteering on the second Sunday of every month to assist with both Prep and Giveaway shifts. It is noteworthy that, of the thirteen metro area Episcopal congregations whose parishioners serve at FNK, St. John’s is the only one that faithfully serves two shifts a month.
In 2019 and 2020, St. John’s made a Covenant with FNK to support their important work by:
- Continuing the quarterly gift of $525 (sourced from Food and Shelter funds).
- Funding a Circle of Beloved fellow to support FNK for the 2019-20 program year. (This internship no longer exists.)
- Considering a year-end gift to FNK, should the Justice and Service funds allow.
Our financial support for this program has continued on the quarterly basis described in the Covenant, with an annual supplement at year’s end.
In addition, Justice and Service made a $4000 grant to FNK in 2025 for the purchase of bison meat and wild rice, and a far more substantial grant in 2023/2024 to help finance the installation of a walk-in refrigerator for storage of donated food and to bring the kitchen facilities up to current health department codes.
If you are able to support this vital ministry by volunteering your time on the second Sunday of the month, please look for the FNK notice in the ENews and use the link for Sign-Up Genius, or sign up on the chart pad in the gathering space, or contact Caron Stebinger or JoAnn Blatchley.
If you are unable to help on a Sunday afternoon, FNK is also seeking one or two able-bodied folks to help receive and sort food from donors on Friday afternoons. Sign-up options are the same as for Second Sundays: ENews Sign-Up Genius link, chart pad, or direct contact with Caron or JoAnn.
If you are no longer able to help physically, please know that your contributions to Food and Shelter on fourth Sundays of the month help to support this ministry.
Thank you to all who help make FNK happen. The staff at All Saints/FNK, our guests/neighbors, and your fellow volunteers appreciate your commitment to this embodiment of The Way of Love.
