The City of Eden Prairie celebrated its annual “Night to Unite” event Tuesday, with 152 neighborhoods hosting block parties and engaging in a community food drive.
According to a Wednesday police department blog post, residents were encouraged to donate food to the PROP Food Shelf, and the response was generous. Eden Prairie residents donated 9,656 pounds of food and $275 in cash and gift cards to the local organization.
The blog also highlighted a special incentive: parties that donated more than 200 pounds of food were entered into a drawing for an ice cream social hosted by the Eden Prairie Police and Fire departments. The Coteau Trail neighborhood, contributing more than 400 pounds of food, won this year’s drawing.
Police expressed gratitude in the blog, saying, “Thank you to everyone who welcomed us to their neighborhood parties, offered us snacks and took a few minutes out of their evenings to chat with us. We value your support and look forward to next year’s Night to Unite!”
On the first Tuesday in August, the city hosts Night to Unite, celebrating community safety while building relationships between citizens and public safety officials.
An Eden Prairie firefighter helped Perek Lundquist and daughter, Junia, 1, spray a fire hose as part of the Willow Park Night to Unite celebration Aug. 1. Photo by Leah Lundquist 
Neighborhood children explored the inside of an Eden Prairie fire engine at Willow Park as part of Night to Unite. Photo by Leah Lundquist 
Children frolicked in the spray of a fire hose at the Willow Park Night to Unite celebration Aug. 1. Photo by Leah Lundquist 
A photo shared on social media by the Eden Prairie Police Department shows police officers attending a Night to Unite block party on Tuesday night. Photo courtesy of the City of Eden Prairie 
A photo shared on social media by the Eden Prairie Police Department shows police officers attending a Night to Unite block party on Tuesday night. Photo courtesy of the City of Eden Prairie
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