Serving Beyond The Bars

Meals From The Heart, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC), packs meals at correctional facilities throughout Minnesota. To-date, through this Restorative Justice Program, we have packed almost 750,000 meals at nine of the Minnesota DOC facilities. All 750,000 meals benefit local families and local food shelves.

The Serving Beyond The Bars program is a key component in the process of restorative justice as offenders strive to offer restitution to the communities that their actions disrupted. As one offender described it “As we live behind bars, the Serving Beyond The Bars program “opens” the door for our service to reach the communities that we harmed.”

Unlike typical community and corporate events that are funded by the organization hosting the event, Meals From The Heart seeks individual and corporate sponsors to help make our Serving Beyond The Bars program a reality.

You are invited to be a partner in restoring lives and our communities – Donate Now.

“We are very thankful for your meals here in Northern Minnesota. If it wasn’t for these meals and the hard work that goes into packaging and distribution; I don’t know what I could have done to provide for my family this past year. I feel truly blessed living in Minnesota to have such great people who are trying to end hunger. Thank you for all of your hard work and care that is put into these meals that provide nutrition to the less fortunate/down on their luck. Thank you from my entire family.”

– A Mother

“Many people judge these men who have committed violent crimes as not worth anything. Some prisoners have no one come to visit. The arrival of your team and the offering of meaningful service to the community was a gift beyond dollar value. How can one put a price on hope in the life of a hope-less man? We thank God for you, your team.”

– The Mother of an offender who participated in one of our events.

“Your team of volunteers treated us like men. As equals! They gave us such respect. Thank you.”

– An offender and participant in Serving Beyond The Bars

“The act of recognition of these men as having value from people from outside the prison has had a powerful effect on these guys. It gives them hope that maybe someday that they can be forgiven and accepted by society even though most will never re-enter a life beyond the bars. It has tremendous meaning in their lives.”

– The Father of an offender who participated in Serving Beyond The Bars