Senior Dining Is Providing Frozen Meal Pickups in Various Central Minnesota Locations in October
October 2, 2020
Current locations include Harris, Ogilvie, Cambridge, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Clear Lake and Sartell
Catholic Charities Senior Dining is continuing to grow the Senior Dining
Frozen Meal Expansion Project, with meals being made available at several locations across Central
Minnesota, including, Harris (Oct. 5), Ogilvie (Oct. 6), Cambridge (Oct. 8), Hinckley (Oct. 9), St. Cloud (Oct. 12),
Clear Lake (Oct. 14), Askov (Oct. 20) and Sartell (Oct. 26).
- Harris: Monday, October 5, 2 pm to 3:30 pm – Harris Covenant Church, 43680 Gates Ave, Harris, MN 55032
- Ogilvie: Tuesday, October 6, 11 am to 12 pm – Ogilvie Civic Center, 102 N Hill Ave, Ogilvie, MN 56358
- Cambridge: Thursday, October 8, 9 am to 11 am – Family Pathways, 1575 1st Ave E, Cambridge, MN 55008
- Hinckley: Friday, October 9, 10 am to 11:30 am – Hinckley Community Center, 198 Dunn Ave N #100, Hinckley, MN 55037
- St. Cloud: Monday, October 12, 1:30 am to 1 pm – First Presbyterian Church of St. Cloud, 340 5th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Clear Lake: Wednesday, October 14, 2 pm to 3:30 pm – St. Marcus Church, 8701 Main Ave, Clear Lake, MN 55319
- Askov: Tuesday, October 20, 1 pm to 3 pm – Askov Community Center, 6369 Kobmagergade, Askov, MN 55704
- Sartell: Monday, October 26, 8 am to 10:30 am – Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 N Pine Cone Rd, Sartell, MN 56377
The Senior Dining Frozen Meal Expansion Project started in August and additional locations are continually being added. At the time of writing, eight locations for the month October are currently scheduled. Visit ccstcloud.org/events for the most up-to-date information. The project is partially funded under a contract with the Central Minnesota Council on Aging as part of the Older Americans Act.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Catholic Charities Senior Dining recognizes now more than ever that seniors need access to easy-to-prepare, healthy food options. These healthy and nutritious frozen meals meet one third of the recommended daily allowance for seniors, and are packaged in oven-safe containers that are easy to heat and eat in both conventional and microwave ovens. Meals are available in quantities of 10 and up to 30 per calendar month. Participants must be 60 years of age and older to be eligible, and all clients must complete an annual registration form. There is no cost to participate; however, donations will be accepted.
Catholic Charities Senior Dining sites have been providing seniors with food during the COVID-19 pandemic with modified quarantine practices. Recognizing that seniors who live in rural communities have limited opportunities for food support, Catholic Charities Senior Dining is partnering with several Central Minnesota locations to offer our frozen meals to pick up in a no-contact, drive-through format.
Catholic Charities Senior Dining, a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud, has been providing low-cost meal options for seniors 60 and older in Central Minnesota for more than 55 years. The program currently has senior dining sites located across nine counties throughout the Central Minnesota region, offering meals for takeout, pickup and home delivery. To see a list of Catholic Charities Senior Dining site locations by county, visit the Senior Dining section at ccstcloud.org/program-status.
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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.
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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