The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota is thrilled to announce a generous donation from Foltz Trucking in Detroit Lakes, Minn. to help complete the Little Falls Boys & Girls Club’s kitchen project. This transformative gift brings the organization closer to launching a hot meal program that will ensure every child who walks through the Club’s doors has access to a nutritious meal that fuels learning and growth.
The total cost to complete the project is estimated at $40,000, and Foltz Trucking’s donation will play a vital role in getting the Club across the finish line. The Club extends its heartfelt gratitude to Foltz Trucking, as well as to the Exchange Club of Little Falls, Knife River, and Barrett Petfoods for their generous contributions toward this effort.
“This kitchen is about so much more than equipment—it’s about equity and opportunity for the kids we serve,” said Mary Swingle, Boys & Girls Club’s President & CEO “Foltz Trucking’s support will help us ensure that every youth in Little Falls has access to the healthy meals they need to be successful in school and in life.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota’s meal program plays a vital role in supporting the health, well-being, and academic success of youth. For many children, especially those from low-income households, the nutritious meals provided at the Club may be the only consistent meals they receive each day. By offering free, balanced meals and snacks after school and during the summer, the Club helps combat food insecurity and ensures that youth have the energy and focus they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
The Club’s meal program is supported through two essential USDA initiatives: the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) during the school year and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) during the summer. Through CACFP, the Club serves supper and a snack each weekday, with meals meeting all USDA nutritional standards and including a fruit, vegetable, grain, protein, and milk. During the summer, the Club transitions to SFSP.
However, the Little Falls Boys & Girls Club currently lacks a fully functioning kitchen, limiting its ability to participate in these USDA-supported programs. Completing this project will allow the Club to prepare and serve meals on-site, ensuring that no child in Little Falls goes hungry while attending the Club.
The current plan to finish the kitchen includes installing essential equipment such as a commercial oven or oven-steamer combination and making necessary gas, electrical, and plumbing upgrades to begin meal service. In the future, the Club plans to add a commercial dishwasher and walk-in freezer to increase efficiency, storage capacity, and long-term sustainability.
The organization hopes to launch its hot meal program later this fall, made possible through the generosity of Foltz Trucking and community partners.
“This gift from Foltz Trucking truly embodies what community support looks like,” said Ken Foltz, Vice President of Foltz Trucking. “It’s helping to ensure that every child in Little Falls has the nutrition and care they need to succeed.”
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota
For more than 50 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota has provided a safe, positive place for youth to learn, grow, and succeed. The Club’s programs focus on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character and leadership, serving thousands of children and teens each year.
About Foltz Trucking
Started in 1958 with a single truck, Foltz Trucking has been, and remains, a family owned and operated business. It is run by brothers Frank, Ken, and Tom Foltz, sons of original founder Clem Foltz.
Foltz Trucking puts an emphasis on quality and timely work. We believe our quality of employees really do make the difference and owe much of our success to our superior drivers, shop employees, and office staff. Foltz Trucking’s roots were in serving grain elevators in the Dakotas and Minnesota and today has expanded to serve customers throughout the United States and Canada.
Specializing in hopper freight, Foltz Trucking hauls a wide array of bulk materials including: Soy Meal, Malting Barley, Spices, Grain, Cotton Seed, Canola Meal, Edible Beans, Rice, Corn Meal, Sunflower Meal, Potatoes…the list goes on and on. No matter what you need moved in bulk shipment, Foltz Trucking’s years of quality service has prepared us to handle any job safely and efficiently.
For more information, visit our website: www.foltztrucking.com.