FOOD SHELF BEGINS MARCH CAMPAIGN TO RE-STOCK SHELVES
March 1, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Trina Dietz
Communications Coordinator
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud
320.650.1644
trina.dietz@ccstcloud.org
Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf begins March Campaign to re-stock shelves
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Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf has a long name, for a good reason.
- If you have to choose between feeding your family or buying medicine for a sick child, it’s an emergency.
- If you have to choose between putting gas in your car, or food in your kids’ tummies, it’s an emergency.
- If you have to choose between eating breakfast or dinner, so your kids can have three meals in a day, it’s an emergency.
MARCH CAMPAIGN
Most food shelves receive a huge influx of food and other resources during November and December, but by March, supplies begin to dwindle.
More than 30 years ago, Minnesota FoodShare, an interfaith collaboration, began an annual March Campaign to re-stock state food shelves. The group gathers incentive funds from large Minnesota corporations such as Target, General Mills and Land O Lakes, to challenge local food shelves like Catholic Charities Emergency Services to raise as much food and funds as they can locally.
“The more food and funds we can secure locally, the more of those incentive funds will come back to help hungry people in the St. Cloud area,” said Pareja. “When you consider that our buying power allows Catholic Charities to use just $10 to purchase $30 worth of groceries, every dollar is significant.”
Statewide, food shelves have a friendly competition to see who can bring in the most food and funds. Pareja said Catholic Charities came in fourth in last year’s competition, and the organization would love to move up in this year’s standings.
PACK THE PORCHES
The Pack the Porches event on Friday, March 23 helps Catholic Charities in their efforts to replenish the Emergency Services Food Shelf. This community-wide food drive will have three locations, all accepting non-perishable food items and cash to aid those who use Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf.
Donations will be accepted from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Friday, on March 23 at three locations:
- Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre, 22 5th Ave S, St Cloud
- St. Cloud Hyundai, 900 2nd St S, Waite Park
- Health Partners Central Minnesota Clinic, 2251 Connecticut Ave S, Sartell
DONATIONS ACCEPTED
In addition to the March Campaign and Pack the Porches event, Catholic Charities Emergency Services accepts donations year-round, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 157 Roosevelt Road. Monetary donations can also be made online at CCStCloud.org.
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St. Cloud Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization that prides itself in serving the central Minnesota area. Catholic Charities is passionate about building communities, helping families, and by providing quality services that enhance human dignity.
Our Recent News
Summer should be a time of fun and freedom — but for many families in Central Minnesota, it’s a time of deep uncertainty. Without school meal programs and with rising grocery prices, far too many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf is once again participating in the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge — and we need your help! What Is the Summer Challenge? Every July, food shelves across Minnesota take part in the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge — a statewide fundraising effort where donations are matched through grant funding. That means every dollar you give to our food shelf during the month of July helps us qualify for a matching grant of up to $4,000. It’s a powerful way to double your impact and ensure we can continue meeting the growing need in our community. The Need Has Never Been Greater Food insecurity remains heartbreakingly common in our state. According to a 2024 statewide hunger study, 1 in 5 households in Minnesota are food insecure. Here at Catholic Charities, we’ve seen that need firsthand. Our food shelf has seen a dramatic rise in the number of shoppers — including many families who have never needed help before. The cost of food is higher than ever, and families are forced to make tough decisions between buying groceries and paying for rent, gas, or medications. What We’re Doing At Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf, we offer more than just food — we offer choice, dignity, and hope. Our shoppers are able to select the food that fits their family’s dietary, cultural, and health needs. We provide a respectful, welcoming experience and access to nutritious foods, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy. In 2024, we distributed over 2.7 million pounds of food through our food shelf, mobile outreach, and emergency food bag programs — but we can’t do it alone. How You Can Help This July, your support means more than ever. Every donation made to our food shelf during the Summer Challenge will be matched through the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge, stretching your gift further to help feed families in Central Minnesota. ➡️ Donate Today: Click here to give now Thank you for being part of this mission of compassion and community. Want to learn more about our Food Shelf and other food programs? Visit ccstcloud.org/food-services To learn more about the statewide Summer Challenge, visit oyh.org/summer-challenge
A Lesson in Trust, Patience, and Unexpected Joy
When life feels overwhelming, finding the right support can make all the difference. That is exactly what happened for Kenneth, a 30-year-old father who found himself facing several impossible choices. With overdue bills, rent payments, and the pressure of providing for his children, Kenneth was struggling to keep his family afloat. On top of that, he needed his children’s birth certificates to register them for Catholic Charities' Toys for Tots program, so they could have presents for Christmas. Though Kenneth had never used the Food Shelf before, he was introduced to our services by a Financial Assistance Program Coordinator, who showed him how utilizing the Food Shelf could ease some of the financial strain. The ability to save money on groceries would allow him to prioritize other needs, like utilities and rent. Our Financial Assistance program assisted Kenneth with obtaining his children's birth certificates and provided him with a cart full of groceries for his family. Additionally, we provided Kenneth with a list of community resources to help him continue moving forward. This assistance gave Kenneth and his family a renewed sense of hope. With a little help from our team, Kenneth felt a weight lift as he began to “dig out” of his financial struggles. The ability to provide his children with meals, secure the birth certificates needed for their Christmas gifts, and access other helpful resources helped him regain some stability during a tough time. Kenneth’s story is a powerful reminder that our work extends far beyond providing food. It is about offering hope, relief, and the tools needed to help individuals and families navigate challenges. Whether it is a grocery cart full of food, helping with essential paperwork, or connecting people to the broader network of resources, every bit of support contributes to making our neighbors’ lives better. We are honored to provide this kind of support to families like Kenneth’s. It is the generosity of our community that allows us to continue serving those who need it most. Whether through food donations, financial gifts, or volunteer time, the contributions we receive leave a lasting impact on our neighbors' lives.
