Challenge Yourself to End Hunger

June 29, 2021

Accept the 2021 Food Shelf Challenge from Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless and Catholic Charities Food Shelf This July

You Can Make a Difference for Hungry Families in Our Community

Minnesota summers were made for trips to the cabin, boat rides on the lake, and farmers market outings, not food shelf visits. Children are home from school and the family budget is tight. Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf helps provide nutritious fruits and vegetables to these families and needs your help this summer.

In a normal summer, we see an increase in child visits during the summer. When school is out for summer vacation, many children miss out on free school meals and their families turn to us for support. This summer, between the kids being home from school and more families out of work or experiencing economic hardship due to the pandemic, we’re seeing a greater level of need.

Make a Bigger Impact on Hunger in Our Community This July

Every day, Minnesotans make over 10,000 visits to food shelves statewide – that is more than seven visits to a food shelf every minute if food shelves were open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 2020, Minnesota food shelf visits were up 7% from the year before, setting a new record high of over 3.8 million visits. Children represented 35.7% of food shelf visits in Minnesota with a total of 1,368,251 visits. Even before COVID-19, there was a record level of need across the state. Catholic Charities Food Shelf has seen an increase with the number of Mobile Food Shelf visits and with the new Hunger Doesn't Wait food delivery program. The food shelf is also seeing new registrants, which means more people are accessing Catholic Charities Food Shelf for the first time.

You can make a difference this year by donating throughout the month of July. The more you donate, the larger our food shelf’s grant from Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless will be. The challenge funds will proportionally match your donation. Your financial donation will go further due to our buying power. We can purchase food from our food bank for pennies on the pound.

Since 1986, Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless has targeted millions of dollars to strategically fight hunger in Minnesota. Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless funds the purchase and transfer of more than one million pounds of fresh produce, meat, and dairy products to food shelves every year. Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless also provides grants for food shelves and food banks to get the equipment they need—like freezers, shelving and trucks—to be able to serve the growing number of Minnesotans who can’t afford enough food for their families.

Hunger Solutions Minnesota is the statewide organization that coordinates this challenge grant opportunity. Hunger Solutions works to end hunger via the Minnesota Food HelpLine and by advancing fair public nutrition policies on behalf of hungry Minnesotans. Hunger Solutions also connects Minnesota’s food shelves with funding and technical assistance to support the 10,000+ daily food shelf visits statewide.

Our Recent News

Catholic Charities Receives Major Donation from CentraCare Foundation to Support Senior Nutrition Programs

By Brittany Hoversten • April 28, 2026
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is celebrating a meaningful boost to its Senior Nutrition efforts thanks to a generous $57,856.54 donation from the CentraCare Foundation. This contribution will support the full spectrum of Catholic Charities Senior Nutrition services — including Meals on Wheels, senior dining, and other nutrition initiatives that help older adults access healthy, reliable meals across central Minnesota. On Thursday, April 23, Catholic Charities President & CEO Aaron Fisk, Food Access Director Stacy Lund, and Senior Nutrition Manager Shannon Nolan gathered to accept the check from CentraCare Foundation. The gift represents a powerful investment in the health, independence, and dignity of seniors throughout the region. “We are grateful to the CentraCare Foundation for this generous donation. This support will have a significant and immediate impact on the older adults we serve,” said Stacy Lund, Food Access Director. “With this contribution, we can strengthen access to nutritious, consistent meals for seniors who face food insecurity. Nutritious food is a critical component of healthy aging, and your support helps us improve meal quality, expand service capacity, and maintain reliable nutrition assistance for seniors striving to remain healthy, independent, and safely in their homes.” Catholic Charities Senior Nutrition programs — including Meals on Wheels — provide nutritious meals, wellness checks, and social connection to at‑risk, homebound, ill, and vulnerable adults age 60 and older. For many seniors, especially those living alone or managing chronic health conditions, these daily visits and meal services are a lifeline. CentraCare Foundation’s mission centers on improving community health and well‑being. Their investment in Catholic Charities Senior Nutrition reflects a shared commitment to ensuring older adults have access to the nutrition and support they need to remain healthy and independent at home. This donation will help Catholic Charities continue expanding its reach, improving meal quality, and ensuring that no senior in need goes without a nutritious meal. To learn more about Catholic Charities Senior Nutrition programs or to inquire about services for yourself or a loved one, visit ccstcloud.org .

Pack the Porches 2026

By Jenna Pettit • March 27, 2026
Catholic Charities is thrilled to announce the success of our 16th Annual Pack the Porches Food and Fund Drive, held on March 27th, 2026.

Meet Nicole from Emergency Services

By Brittany Hoversten • March 5, 2026
If you ask anyone at Emergency Services, they’ll tell you the same thing: Nikki is unstoppable. Every single day, she goes above and beyond for Catholic Charities, our clients, and her team. Nikki is a proud mom of two, and her youngest recently moved out on their own. Life hasn’t always been easy—she lost her children’s father suddenly in 2006, a time she describes as chaotic and life-changing. Today, she’s in a happy relationship and loves spending time at the cabin, traveling, riding motorcycle, and making the yearly trip to Sturgis. Catholic Charities “found” Nikki in a very full-circle way. At the time, she was helping her dad with his job as a grocery vendor—the same stores that donate to Catholic Charities. difference for the community every day. At the end of each night, she lays her head down knowing she helped someone—and that’s what keeps her going. When her dad broke his elbow, Nikki stepped in to help him. Her strong work ethic caught the attention of a Catholic Charities program manager who had grown up with her dad. He saw something special in her and offered her a position. Her first assignment? Driving the Catholic Charities food truck—even though she had never driven a truck before. She remembers being terrified backing down the ramps, but her supervisor simply told her, “Keep it between the yellow lines.” She did—and that moment sparked the confidence that has fueled her ever since. Over the past 13 years, Nikki has worked in nearly every corner of Emergency Services. Nikki originally got pulled into Mardi Gras because her mom is crafty, and she’s been involved ever since. She especially loves the decorating and seeing everything come together. Last year’s event was particularly wild with so many new people, but Nikki’s natural leadership helped bring everyone together to create a fantastic experience. When asked what motivates her, Nikki doesn’t hesitate: positive thinking. “Negative thoughts will never give you a positive life,” she says. She believes positivity is contagious, and her mantra is simple: Do the best you can with what you have, take it one day at a time, and always pay it forward.