Catholic Charities Emergency Services Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic with Food Relief Bags

March 16, 2020

Catholic Charities Emergency Services, a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud, continues to provide access to food to those in need despite the COVID-19 pandemic while protecting community health and safety.

Food relief bags will be available for pickup on Wednesdays from 1 pm to 7 pm and Fridays from 9 am to 12 pm at Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 157 Roosevelt Rd, Suite 100, St. Cloud. Food relief bags will also be available for pickup at Catholic Charities Emergency Services eight mobile sites.

“Now more than ever we are here to help meet the needs of those who are hungry in our community, and are working to provide accessible food in the most efficient and safe way while caring for our neighbors, volunteers, and employees,” said Sue Hanks, Emergency Services program manager.

Food shelves across Minnesota, including Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf, have already seen a decrease in financial and food donations from their communities and partners. Catholic Charities is encouraging donors and supporters, as they are able, to continue to give to their local food shelf.

Although local grocery stores may be seeing an increase in demand for food products, Catholic Charities Emergency Services wholesale sources continue to be able to meet purchasing demands. Therefore, financial contributions to Catholic Charities Food Shelf will continue to enable the program in helping meet community needs.

As part of the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, Catholic Charities is continuing its 10th annual Pack the Porches Food Drive, benefitting Catholic Charities Food Shelf.

On Friday, March 20, from 7 am to 1 pm, Catholic Charites Food Shelf will accept donations of nonperishable food items and funds at three drop-off locations: Pioneer Place on Fifth, 22 5th Ave S, Saint Cloud; HealthPartners, 2251 Connecticut Ave S, Sartell; and St. Cloud Hyundai, 900 2nd St S, Waite Park.

Donations of food and funds delivered in-person will be accepted without the donor having to leave his or her car. Monetary donations can also be made online at ccstcloud.org/donate.

For more information on Catholic Charities Emergency Services hours and locations of services, please call 320-229-4560. For more information on Catholic Charities Pack the Porches Food Drive and for COVID-19 program status updates, visit ccstcloud.org.

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