Wild rice, bison, and walleye are among the foods that the Department of Indian Work offers to reflect Native food traditions. Now the St. Paul program is preparing to reopen its food pantry at Bandana Square, closer to communities its leaders hope to reach more easily. Park Bugle reported the plans on October 30.
The move involves a tradeoff. The former Little Canada location had more storage and refrigeration space, but rent exceeded $12,000 a month. The new pantry will occupy a smaller space in a building already owned by its parent organization, Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul, without a separate rental bill. Director Theresa Halvorson-Lee said the goal is to direct resources toward programs and staff. Other services in the building include support for families experiencing homelessness.
The transition is still unfinished. Food distribution is temporarily paused, and Thanksgiving is a reopening goal rather than a confirmed date. The organization says future pantry visits will require appointments. For families planning meals, those details matter as much as the new address: the promise is a more practical place to get help, with the opening still to come.
