40,000 Pounds of Donated Food Delivered to Eagan Food Shelf, Largest Single Donation in Organization’s History
Published: March 17, 2026
EAGAN, MINNESOTA – Last Wednesday, March 11, 2026, a semi-truck carrying approximately 40,000 pounds of shelf-stable food arrived at The Open Door in Eagan, marking the largest single food donation in the nonprofit’s history and providing significant support to families facing food insecurity across Dakota County. A second truck went to Rochester, Minnesota.
The delivery took place around 11 a.m. last Wednesday at The Open Door’s distribution center located at 3000 Ames Crossing Road in Eagan, Minnesota. The truck, branded with the JustServe logo, is part of a nationwide effort tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States through the America250 initiative, “America Gives.” The donation is part of a national collaboration between America250 and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In total, 250 truckloads of food are being distributed across all 50 states, providing critical support to food shelves and community organizations nationwide.
Local officials and nonprofit leaders say the Eagan delivery will make an immediate impact in Dakota County.
“Our entire team is honored by the chance to be included in this remarkable celebration of service,” said Jason Viana, executive director of The Open Door. “Bringing people together in service is at the heart of our work every day, and this collaboration will make a tremendous impact on our efforts to get food into the hands of families in our community that need it.”
According to organizers, each truckload of food has the potential to feed approximately 1,400 people for an entire week.
Donation Expands Support Across Dakota County
While the delivery was made to The Open Door, the impact will extend beyond a single food shelf. The nonprofit plans to share a portion of the food with 360 Communities, helping supply its network of food shelves across the south metro.
Those locations serve residents in:
Burnsville
Rosemount
Lakeville
Apple Valley
Farmington
By distributing the donation among multiple organizations, leaders say the effort will help reach thousands of families throughout the region.
Local Leadership Helped Bring Donation to Dakota County
The donation to The Open Door was recommended by Luke Hellier, mayor of Lakeville, who helped connect the national initiative with local food support organizations.
“This generous donation and the spirit of service behind it are truly inspiring,” Hellier said. “As we look toward America’s 250th anniversary, this effort reflects the very best of our nation — neighbors helping neighbors and communities coming together to care for those in need. Lakeville is proud to support this partnership and the positive impact it will have across Dakota County.”
The Open Door has worked with JustServe volunteers for nearly a decade, according to Viana, but the scale of this delivery marks a milestone for the organization.
“JustServe has been helping us help Lakeville for nearly a decade,” Viana said. “This gift is taking that commitment to a whole new level. Forty thousand pounds of food is the largest single donation in the history of The Open Door.”
Part of Nationwide Service Effort
The truck delivery is part of the America Gives initiative, launched in November 2025 to prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which will be commemorated on Independence Day in 2026. The effort is designed to encourage volunteerism and service projects across the country. Through the JustServe platform, volunteers can connect with local organizations and service opportunities within their communities.
JustServe, a community service platform sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, helps match volunteers with nonprofits and community organizations in need of support. Local leaders say initiatives like this demonstrate how partnerships between national programs, local governments, and community nonprofits can help address growing needs.
With the truck's arrival in Eagan, thousands of Dakota County residents facing food insecurity are expected to benefit from the expanded supply of shelf-stable food in the weeks ahead.
Written by: Will Wight
Cover photo and video credit: City of Lakeville, Minnesota
