Catholic Charities Announces the 11th Annual Pack the Porches Food and Fund Drive in Partnership with the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign

March 1, 2021

Did you know that 1 in 9 Minnesotans are expected to face hunger in coming months, including working families, children, seniors and post-secondary students?

This March, as part of the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, Catholic Charities will hold its 11th annual Pack the Porches food and fund drive, benefitting Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf.

On Friday, March 19, from 7 am to 1 pm, Catholic Charites Food Shelf will accept donations of nonperishable food items at two curbside drop-off locations: Pioneer Place on Fifth, 22 5th Ave S, St. Cloud; and St. Cloud Hyundai, 900 2nd St S, Waite Park. Coborn’s will match all food and fund donations up to $10,000. Funds can also be donated at both locations and online at ccstcloud.org.

March is typically a challenging month for Minnesota food shelves, as the number of families being served the first months of the year and the amount of food going out the door is considerably greater than the amount of food coming in during the same period. By donating to Catholic Charities Food Shelf during the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, donations stay local but count towards a statewide effort to help stock the shelves of every food shelf in the state. The share of the statewide campaign will be even greater the more that can be raised locally. Join Catholic Charities to end Minnesota hunger and increase awareness of food insecurity within the St. Cloud area.

Can’t make it to Pack the Porches? The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign runs March 1 through April 11. Catholic Charities Food Shelf is accepting food donations during limited hours through a drop-off model on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm at the loading area of 157 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud, Door D (back of building). Please do not leave donations outside the door; donations must be collected and weighed by Catholic Charities staff to ensure food safety standards and inventory tracking. Outside of this time, please contact info@ccstcloud.org or 320-229-4560 to coordinate another drop-off time. Funds can also be donated in person or online. Visit ccstcloud.org to learn more.

About Minnesota FoodShare and the March Campaign

Minnesota FoodShare is an interfaith organization aiming to fight food insecurity and raise awareness of it among Minnesota communities. The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is the largest annual grassroots food and fund drive in the state, and helps to stock nearly 300 food shelves statewide. During the 2020 March Campaign, more than 21.5 million dollars and over 7.4 million pounds of food shelf items were raised by Minnesota food shelves.

To date, Minnesota FoodShare has distributed over 18 million dollars to March Campaign participating food shelves via the Minnesota FoodShare FoodFund. 100 percent of donations received by Minnesota FoodShare during the March Campaign go into the FoodFund and are distributed to March Campaign participating food shelves, including Catholic Charities.

Minnesota FoodShare envisions a future where all Minnesotans have access to healthy food and no one struggles with food insecurity. The March Campaign addresses these issues directly and Minnesota FoodShare invites you to join their efforts and advocate for long-term solutions to food insecurity and poverty in our communities.

Minnesota FoodShare began its work in 1982 with a campaign advanced by congregations to restock food shelves in the 7-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The effort was so successful and the need was so evident, the March Campaign became a statewide program just one year later.

Our Recent News

Pack the Porches 2025!

March 28, 2025
PACK THE PORCHES FOOD AND FUND DRIVE RECEIVED OVER 6,000 POUNDS OF FOOD AND MORE THAN $21,000

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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