AWG Cares: Annual Day of Service!

September 27, 2023

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Annual Day of Service

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) and their charitable organization, AWG Cares, held their Annual Day of Service on Saturday, September 23. The AWG Upper Midwest Division Team of Volunteers spent time helping at the Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf. The team had a fun, rewarding experience cleaning and stocking the shelves.


Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf provides access to healthy and nutritious food for individuals and families faced with missing meals and primarily serves the cities of St. Cloud, St. Augusta, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park. However, our food shelf services are available to anyone who needs them regardless of where they live.


In 2022, Catholic Charities Food Shelf distributed 1,737,320 pounds of food to 11,443 individuals across 3,937 households in central Minnesota and beyond.


In August 2023, Catholic Charities Food Shelf distributed 184,109 pounds of food to 4,872 individuals and anticipates an ever-increasing need throughout 2023.


Thank you to Catholic Charities team members Eric and Nikki who also spent some of their Saturday with the AWG volunteers!


AWG Cares is an employee-managed, company-supported and community-focused non-profit charitable organization. Its purpose is to help AWG and subsidiary employees support the charities they care about and to give back to the communities where they work and live. AWG Cares focuses on three main areas: disaster relief, medical research, and hunger/homelessness.


AWG Cares is more than just a charitable giving fund. The organization sponsors dozens of community service projects to help give back to communities. During AWG Cares Annual Day of Service, employees and their families are invited to participate in a variety of community service opportunities. AWG matches employee donations to the organization and regularly donates additional resources to the efforts of AWG Cares.


Since its inception in 2017, AWG Cares has made 213 grants to organizations nominated by AWG and subsidiary employees. AWG Cares has donated more than $559,000 to charitable organizations in the communities where their employees work and live.


Thank you, AWG and AWG Cares, for your continued support of Catholic Charities. Together, we can make a different tomorrow for our community. 

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A Day of Joy and Connection at Pond View Estates

By Brittany Hoversten • March 13, 2025
On Tuesday, January 28th, a group of students from Trex North School visited Pond View Estates in Albany, organized by Sandy Baldwin, group leader, and in collaboration with Catholic Charities in St. Cloud. Julie Ueland, the student advisor, helped oversee the project to ensure everything went smoothly. Pond View Estates is a Senior Dining Congregate Kitchen, where seniors gather to enjoy meals and socialize, making it a perfect environment for these students to connect with the residents. When the students arrived, the residents were delighted by the youthful energy and enthusiasm they brought. The students quickly got to work helping the seniors create Valentine’s cards before lunch. The atmosphere was filled with creativity and laughter as everyone worked together to make colorful and thoughtful cards. Afterward, the group enjoyed lunch together, where the dining hall was full of lively conversation. The students interacted with the seniors, hearing their stories and building new connections. The visit bridged generations, fostering meaningful and joyful interactions. The highlight of the day was the bingo game that followed lunch, where excitement filled the room as the numbers were called. Friendly competition brought plenty of laughs, especially when someone was just one number away from winning, only for another participant to grab the prize first. The fun, camaraderie, and shared moments left everyone smiling. A few standout interactions included Joseph and Riley spending time with resident Victor Tschida, and Tianna sharing a special moment with resident Ken Bunger. These connections highlighted the deep impact of intergenerational friendships. For many of the residents, the visit from the students was an unexpected but cherished experience, reminding everyone of the importance of making time for one another. It was a beautiful day of fostering community, connection, and kindness. As the students prepared to leave, there was a sense of fulfillment in the air. Not only had the day brightened the seniors' lives, but it also left a lasting impression on the students, who gained a deeper understanding of the joy and fulfillment that comes from spending quality time with others. The day ended with smiles, hugs, and promises to return, a reminder of how powerful and meaningful human connection can be.

Volunteering at Lincoln Elementary

By Brittany Hoversten • March 5, 2025
At Lincoln Elementary in Little Falls, the pre-K classroom thrives thanks to Miss Maranda and Dorothy, a Foster Grandparent volunteer. Ms. Maranda values having Grandma Dorothy in the room. "It's great to have someone with a fresh perspective who connects with students," she says. Dorothy helps students with academics and brings a caring approach to the youngest learners. Dorothy enjoys her role, finding it both fun and meaningful. "The kids are so much fun, and I'm happy to help with lessons that impact their learning for years," she says. The appreciation between Miss Maranda and Dorothy is mutual. "Dorothy brings positivity, is helpful and kind, and has become an integral part of our classroom team," Miss Maranda shares. Dorothy feels valued, especially when teachers note her impact on students. "When my teacher tells me, 'I can tell which students you've worked with,' it lets me know I’m making a difference," Dorothy says. Their collaboration has led to touching moments, such as a student hugging Dorothy at Walmart. "It shows the lasting connection we’ve made," Dorothy recalls. Miss Maranda echoes this, saying, "We’d gladly welcome another foster grandparent into our program. It’s refreshing to have a grandparent figure who makes a lasting impact on both learning and relationships." Dorothy’s support is important for struggling students. "I love encouraging them to do their best," she says, finding joy in seeing their proud faces when they grasp a concept or complete a project. The partnership between Miss Maranda and Dorothy highlights the impact of volunteers. Dorothy’s positivity, support, and perspective enhance the learning experience and provide invaluable help to teachers, showcasing the mutual benefits of the Foster Grandparent Program.
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