Community invited to ribbon-cutting ceremony and Club tours on Sept. 23
LITTLE FALLS, Minn. — Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota will celebrate the grand opening of its new commercial kitchen at the Little Falls Boys & Girls Club with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. The community is invited to attend the celebration and tour the Club, located at 509 West Broadway in Little Falls.
The new commercial kitchen will strengthen the Club’s ability to provide children and teens with nutritious meals in a safe, welcoming environment. A healthy meal will be served at 4:30 p.m. every Monday through Friday, and all registered Little Falls Boys & Girls Club members are welcome to participate at no cost.
“Access to nutritious food is essential to helping young people learn, grow and reach their full potential,” said Mary Swingle, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota. “This kitchen represents an incredible investment in the health and well-being of Little Falls youth. We are deeply grateful to every donor and community partner who helped make it possible.”
The Boys & Girls Club participates in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program. All meals will follow USDA requirements and include portions from five food components: milk, a meat or meat alternate, a vegetable, a fruit and grains. The program ensures that children and teens have access to balanced, nutritious food during their time at the Club.
Annual registration and membership at the Little Falls Boys & Girls Club are free for all youth from kindergarten through high school graduation. In addition to meals, members have access to engaging programs and activities focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, character and leadership development, the arts, workforce development, social recreation and Esports.
The commercial kitchen was made possible through the generosity of many community partners, businesses and individuals. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota extends its sincere appreciation to the Little Falls Exchange Club, Foltz Trucking, Knife River, the City of Little Falls, Morrison County Community Development, New 2 You Thrift Store, Initiative Foundation, Barrett Petfood, BCI Construction, Granite City Refrigeration and the many other individuals and businesses that supported the project.
“This project is a wonderful example of what can happen when a community comes together for its young people,” Swingle said. “Because of this support, generations of Little Falls youth will have access to nutritious meals and the programs, mentors and opportunities they need to build great futures.”