RIVER FALLS – On Monday, Aug. 25, Melissa "Mei Mei" Abdouch of Mei Mei's Cookies & Creamery in River Falls delivered and served 200 meals and gifts to patients, families, and caregivers at M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.

Abdouch recruited a team of generous and resourceful people and organizations to help gather items, prepare the food, and serve the meals at the hospital. 

This is the second time Abdouch has delivered meals to M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital. This hospital holds a special place in her heart. In 1976, she was treated there, on station 55 (which no longer exists at the hospital), for stage IV neuroblastoma. The doctors did not expect her to survive and were not initially going to treat her.

Abdouch’s business model and mission includes giving back, and it all starts at the register. Mei Mei’s Cookies & Creamery has been a tip free facility since 2022, but customers can toss money in the giant cookie jar to help fund the meals. Once enough money is raised, a recipient is contacted, a date is set, and the planning begins. To help the money go further, Abdouch reaches out to other businesses and organizations interested in supporting the efforts.

This year, Gary Borglund with Generous Harvest Inc, facilitated delivery of apples and produce used in some of the salads. Abdouch and Chef Randi Bestel put a lot of thought and care into curating the menus to accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions and preferences all while offering a fresh, nutritious, and free alternative to the routine of cafeteria or fast-food options families have been relying on.

Businesses who want to help but are not able to contribute food because of licensing or timing, like Riverwalk Vintage Market and That Girl Brie, gave money to bring in more items. One friend donated six beautiful hand knitted scarves and shawls to auction off in support of the meals. Because of this, regular potato chips were upgraded to a premium snack, Pop Daddy Pretzels, and 200 meals were delivered instead of 150. Volunteers were coordinated, meals were constructed, and the love of a community was delivered. 

Give a look at this event's menu and who made it possible.

Abdouch greeted everyone coming through the line and gave them a box for building their own lunch. They were able to select any of the following items to add to their boxes: One of four salads, veggie, hummus, whole fruit, Waystone Coffee Co. Apple Cinnamon Scone, Simply Sourdough breadstick, Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop dinner roll, butter, Ellsworth Creamery Cheese Curds, Pop Daddy Pretzels, ¼-pound Mei Mei's Cookie (sugar w/sprinkles, mini M&M and chocolate chip, or GF cinnamon chip), Northern Soda Company Soda (14 flavors to choose from) and gift bags for children and families from Blooms for Happiness.

Abdouch thanks all supported the endeavor.

Submitted by Melissa “Mei Mei” Abdouch