Catholic Charities Open Your Heart Summer Challenge

July 10, 2023

Catholic Charities is participating in the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge grant, benefiting Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf, throughout the month of July.

 

In partnership with Hunger Solutions Minnesota, Open Your Heart’s Summer Challenge makes it possible for Minnesota food shelves to restock and distribute fresh and frozen foods during this difficult time of year.

 

Minnesota summers were made for trips to the cabin, boat rides on the lake, and farmers market outings, not food shelf visits. But that’s the reality for thousands of Minnesotans. Children are home from school and the family budget is tight. Catholic Charities Food Shelf helps provide nutritious fruits and vegetables to these families and they need your help this summer.


Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless will proportionally match donations to Catholic Charities Food Shelf during the month of July, up to $4,000, to help end food insecurity in the St. Cloud area. The more funds raised in July towards Catholic Charities Food Shelf, the larger the matching grant from Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless will be. Donations to Catholic Charities Food Shelf can be made online here.

 

“In a normal summer, we see an increase in child visits during the summer,” said Eric Vollen, Catholic Charities Emergency Services program manager. “When school is out for summer vacation, many children miss out on free school meals and families turn to us for support. This summer, more families are experiencing economic hardship due to inflation, soaring food and gas prices, and the impacts of expiring pandemic relief programs. For those reasons and more, we are seeing an increase of food-insecure people here in the St. Cloud area, and the summer challenge comes at a time when Catholic Charities Food Shelf needs help the most.”

 

Every day, Minnesotans make over 15,000 visits to food shelves statewide – that is more than ten visits to a food shelf every minute if food shelves were open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 2022, Minnesotans made a record 5,505,100 visits to their food shelves statewide – up almost 2 million visits from the year prior. Children represented 35 percent of food shelf visits in Minnesota with a total of 1,934,205 visits, up 55 percent from 2021. Even before COVID-19, there was a record level of need across the state. In July 2022, Catholic Charities Food Shelf served 3,607 individuals across 1,201 households; 1,664 of those individuals were children. 


     Open Your Heart Food and Fund Drive

               Summertime by George!

                    Wednesday, July 26

                             5 to 9 pm

  Lake George Park | Downtown St. Cloud

Join us at Summertime by George! While listening to live outdoor music on July 26, stop by our Middle Town Market booth and donate much-needed nonperishable food items and monetary funds to help fight food insecurity in the St. Cloud area.

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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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