Operation One More: Inside the Local Effort Quietly Feeding Hundreds of Rochester Kids

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)-- Every December in Rochester, while many are juggling travel plans and holiday shopping, there’s a local crew quietly making sure kids don’t go hungry when school shuts down for winter break. The group is called Operation One More, and it’s one of those grassroots efforts that proves how far a simple idea can go when a community gets behind it.

READ MORE: 20+ Local Small Businesses to Support in Southeast Minnesota

Operation One More didn’t start in a boardroom or with a big fundraising plan. It started in a local garage.

Back in 2018, founder Stephanie Collura and her family packed groceries for just 35 Rochester-area families. Now, seven years later, the need has grown, and so has the effort. Operation One More is now a full 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the goal of serving hundreds of families each year with help from school partners, volunteers, and local businesses.

Stephanie told us her inspiration goes all the way back to her teenage years in Omaha, where she volunteered in a similar program.

“I can still remember the feeling—watching a parent’s relief or seeing a child’s face light up simply because someone showed up for them,” she said. “It was then I realized how something as humble as a bag of groceries can carry so much dignity, hope, and love. It changed me.”

Years later, as a mom, she wanted her own kids to feel that same sense of compassion and community action. What started as a small family service project quickly blew up into something Rochester clearly needed and was eager to support.

SEE ALSO: Here’s Where to Donate to Toys for Tots in SE Minnesota

Even the group’s name has meaning. It comes from Mother Teresa’s quote: “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” That’s the spirit behind Operation One More: show up for one more family, every single year.

The Need Is Growing, and So Is the Response

Last year, Operation One More delivered groceries to 200 families across Rochester. This year, the goal is to reach 250.

The team works with social workers and family liaisons at several Rochester Public Schools to identify families who would benefit during the stretch when school meals aren’t available. Stephanie says that even as the numbers increase, the mission stays grounded.

“What we learned is that even as the need grows, the heart of Operation One More stays the same—helping one more family at a time.”

How It All Comes Together

The process kicks off every fall, with donation bins popping up in schools, businesses, and partner organizations. Food collection wraps up on December 1, giving volunteers time to sort everything, fill in any gaps, and pack each bag so every family gets the same essentials.

LOOK: Step Back in Time at Rochester's Historic Mayowood This Christmas

This year’s most-needed items include:

• Peanut butter & jelly
• Canned vegetables & fruit
• Soup
• Canned tuna or chicken
• Dry pasta & pasta sauce
• Boxed potatoes
• Rice

Donations can be dropped off at the Edina Realty office on Salem Road.

After sorting comes the big packing day. Volunteers, including a crew of high school students, work side by side to build the grocery bags. Each family also receives bread, milk, and a grocery store gift card that lets them choose the protein that works best for them.

And then comes the best part: Delivery Day. Students and volunteers load vehicles and deliver groceries directly to families around Rochester.

Kids and Teens Are the Secret Ingredient

One of the most unique things about Operation One More is the student involvement. Kids don’t just get invited to help; they’re central to the whole system.

“It gives kids and teens a tangible way to serve others and see the impact of their actions,” Stephanie said.

Get our free mobile app

This year, the team even visited multiple local grade-school classrooms to talk about food insecurity. “Helping them understand, in an age-appropriate way, that not every child has access to meals during winter break, Stephanie told us. “The students were engaged, thoughtful, and genuinely impacted. Our hope is that these lessons stay with them as they grow.”

Many high school students return year after year, and some of the earliest volunteers, now adults, still come back to help.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to watch this program shape a new generation of community-minded individuals who care deeply about helping others,” Stephanie said.

The Biggest Challenge Is Keeping Up

As the need grows, so does the logistical lift. Storage space, food sourcing, volunteer coordination, and the financial support needed to fill the bags. But Stephanie says Rochester continues to show up.

READ MORE: Minnesota Nice is Proven True with New Study of the Most Charitable States

“Our community has always stepped up,” she said. “We’re incredibly grateful to be part of a community filled with people—of all ages—who want to do good and support those who need it most.”

How You Can Help Operation One More in Rochester

If you want to donate, Operation One More is currently collecting non-perishable food items at Edina Realty on Salem Road through December 1. Monetary donations also help cover gift cards, packing supplies, and items that didn’t come in through food drives. Here is the link to Operation One More’s Venmo

And if you’re a parent or educator looking for a service project that actually connects with kids, this is one they’ll remember. Contact Operation One More at operation1more@gmail.com