Schedule & Sessions: Make Hunger History Summit 2026

Presenter: Karen Spitzfaden, Second Harvest Heartland

A deeper dive into the 2025 statewide hunger study data and learnings from the past year. 

Presenters: Nikole Shovein, Andrea Thomas, Sara Fleetham

A panel on volunteer engagement strategies and processes, including onboarding, engagement, recognition, and connection to the mission.

Presenter: Caleigh Gumbiner, Second Harvest Heartland

Presenter: Metro Food Justice Network Leadership

What does it look and feel like to "shift the social context" of collaborative food systems change? Together, we'll identify concrete ways to shift the default way of doing things, name tangible impacts of doing things differently, and action plan for shifting the social context in your own sphere of influence.

Presenter: Maren Gelle Henderson, CESR/Health Partners Institute

Drawing from best practices and methods in community-based participatory action research, this session will provide attendees with concrete examples of engaging data collection methods that can illuminate community priorities and preferences to inform community-centered practices.  

Attendees will learn how to plan and implement engaging data collection activities, to use the information gathered to make changes in practice, and to share learnings back with stakeholders. No prior experience with evaluation or data collection is needed!

Presenters: Katie Bull and Andrea Gressman, FFEN

This is an interactive workshop designed for food shelf leaders navigating growing demand and limited resources. Participants will learn to shift from scarcity thinking to strategic abundance—identifying high-impact activities, prioritizing essential foods, and aligning sourcing decisions with shopper dignity and community need. Using data-driven tools and guided exercises, attendees will practice evaluating food categories, balancing cost with preference, and developing mission-driven goals. The session emphasizes practical decision-making frameworks that help organizations move from reactive operations to proactive, abundance-based leadership that maximizes both impact and sustainability.

Panelists: Stuart Iseminger, Office of Economic Opportunity - MN DCYF; Leah Herbert Welles, Open Arms of Minnesota; Katie Herrick, Fairview Health Services; Joe Walker, The Sanneh Foundation; Roxanne Johnson,  Mewinzha Ondaadiziike Wiigaming; Isabella Hembre Conditt, Open Arms of Minnesota

The panel includes speakers from four of the eight Prepared Meals programs funded by the Minnesota Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). Attendees will learn about innovative programs that meet the needs of food insecure Minnesotans, the various distribution models, target populations, lessons learned, challenges faced, and impacts on individuals and families. OEO’s grantees – one Tribal Nation and seven nonprofits -- are located in Greater Minnesota and the Metro area. 

Presenters: Jenna Hoover and Jordan Vernoy

We’re surrounded by data, yet we often don't know how to use it to activate change. As requests to collect and report keep growing, action can feel further out of reach. This session encourages a shift from collection to action. Participants will use data and community insight to see who they are serving, who they may be missing, and how they can design services that reach people they often miss.  Through this framework and hands-on reflection tools, attendees will explore how to turn evaluation into learning, trust-building, and meaningful change that strengthens both impact and equity across food systems.

Presenters: Rachel Holmes and Peter Woitock, The Food Group 

For the past four years, The Food Group has partnered with leaders with lived experience of food insecurity through our Lived Experience Leadership Cohort. Their voices drive change and keep our work rooted in community need. In this session, we’ll share lessons from building authentic partnerships and hear from a cohort alumni. We’ll share practical lessons from building authentic, trust-based relationships and elevating lived expertise in programming. Together, we’ll explore what it looks like to listen deeply, share power, and ensure those most impacted play a leading role in shaping programming, strengthening relationships, and building stronger, more responsive services. 

Presenter: Liam Boris, PRISM

Discover how to strategically align volunteerism with education by building impactful partnerships with high schools, colleges, and universities. This session offers practical tools to design, implement, and sustain volunteer programs in partnership with schools that enhance learning while advancing organizational goals. With an emphasis on the State of Minnesota systems, learn how to identify mutual value, navigate academic structures, and engage students year-round through meaningful service. Drawing from PRISM’s proven partnership models, participants will leave with clear strategies, replicable frameworks, and actionable steps to strengthen volunteer pipelines and create lasting community impact.

Presenter: Jennifer Harrison, VEAP

When rising living costs strain household budgets, donor engagement becomes both more challenging—and more essential. This session offers practical, adaptable strategies to sustain generosity in lean times. Participants will explore monthly giving models, micro-donation campaigns, and donor-centric messaging that meets supporters where they are. Learn how to strengthen retention through authentic gratitude, clear impact storytelling, and community-building approaches that make every donor feel essential. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to drive loyalty, increase resilience, and inspire continued support—even when wallets are tight.

Presenter: Niila Hebert, MAVA

Many organizations struggle to engage volunteers that reflect the diversity of their communities. In response, the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA) conducted research resulting in eight strategies for fostering inclusivity in volunteer programs. This interactive session will introduce these strategies, encourage participants to share their experiences, and help create action plans for implementing inclusive practices in their organizations.

Key takeaways:

• Research-Based Strategies: Learn eight actionable strategies for inclusivity.
• Experience Sharing: Discuss personal experiences related to volunteer engagement.
• Action Planning: Develop a plan to launch a more inclusive volunteer program 

Presenter: Sarah Peterson, Second Harvest Heartland

Second Harvest Heartland’s Kitchen Coalition program will be hosting this breakout session as an opportunity for Kitchen Coalition distribution and kitchen partner teams to connect and collaborate around table topics. 

Presenters: Theresa Halvorson-Lee, Department of Indian Work; Rachel Smith, Montessori American Indian Childcare Center; Nicole Beane, Ramsey County; Nicole MartinRogers, Advance Consulting LLC 

The Economic Mobility Hub for American Indians is an innovative program serving American Indian families with children in Ramsey County to increase their economic mobility. The Hub uses evidence-informed practices including integrated services delivery and family-centered coaching. We created a tool called the 7 Generations Plan, which helps Hub families set goals and develop action plans to achieve their goals. In this workshop, we will introduce our approach with the hopes that others will find it useful for working with American Indian families. Come learn about the Hub and how you can use our approaches and tools in your work! 

Presenters: Katie Bull, FFEN and Susie West, U of M Extension

Since 2017, the Minnesota Food Shelf Surveys have been instrumental in creating shared language about important foods, experiences and best practices as defined by those most impacted by the work. The 2025 Minnesota Food Shelf Surveys garnered the most robust participation thus far, but historical trends and new data insights require the nuance provided by those navigating a food access landscape that has changed dramatically since data collection in 2025. Join us for a collaborative session that will explore how we can collectively use this data to align and contextualize narratives to inform action at local, regional and state levels.

Presenters: Melissa Miller, Second Harvest Heartland and Jason Viana, The Open Door

Individual donor fundraising is critical for sustaining hunger-relief efforts. This session offers practical, low-cost strategies to build or strengthen your donor program—no matter your size or resources. We’ll cover the four stages of the donor lifecycle (acquisition, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship) and share real-world tips from food shelf fundraising experience. Learn how to engage new donors, create meaningful touchpoints, and craft compelling appeals that drive retention. Walk away with actionable ideas, peer-tested strategies, and one new tactic to try this year.

Presenters: Shannon Chronister and Heather Da Cunha, Inver Hills Community College

What does food insecurity look like at our community and technical colleges, and how are colleges responding to students' basic needs? Join college administrators and community partners for a panel and discussion on how colleges and community food resources can successfully work together.

Presenter: Lindsay Ochmanek, Second Harvest Heartland

Hear from a panel of experts about sourcing strategies and options for hunger relief programs.

Presenter: Channel One Regional Food Bank

A session for agency partners of Channel One Food Bank to hear updates and connect.