Funding for Lutheran Social Services to address food insecurity in Greater Minnesota included in budget
St. Paul, Minn. – On Saturday, the Senate passed the bipartisan Veterans and Military Affairs conference committee report, authored by Senator Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud), Chair of the Veterans Subcommittee. The budget includes $300,000 to fund Lutheran Social Services’ work providing free meals to veterans living in Greater Minnesota.
This targeted investment ensures that veterans outside the Twin Cities Metro, where Metro Meals on Wheels already operates, are not left behind in the fight against food insecurity. It specifically supports rural veterans, many of whom live in areas with limited access to federal nutrition assistance programs. Lutheran Social Services will expand the Meals on Wheels program to Greater Minnesota.
“This new project will directly support the veterans of Greater Minnesota. Too many of those who have served us struggle to put food on the table and feel like they live in isolation,” said Senator Putnam. “Lutheran Social Services is a trusted community partner, and this investment ensures veterans across Greater Minnesota will have access to healthy food and a friend who drops it off.”
The funding is part of Chair Putnam’s broader Veterans and Military Affairs budget package, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support. In addition to addressing food insecurity, the conference report provides full operational funding for Minnesota’s three new state veterans homes, expands suicide prevention efforts, and improves access to critical benefits for veterans and their families.
In the Senate, the conference committee report passed on a vote of 45-19. The legislation now moves to Governor Walz for his signature.
Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee. He serves on the Jobs and Economic Development Committee and Taxes Committee.
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