Food Assistance

Food is available to individual clients and households at no cost. The amount of food is limited to a five-to-seven-day supply of food per household once per calendar month. Please be aware that additional visits during the month require prior approval.

Service area

The Catholic Charities Emergency Services food shelf serves persons in the immediate St. Cloud area, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, St. Augusta, and Waite Park. If you live outside of this area, please make use of the food shelf closest to your home community.

Check the Minnesota Hunger Partners Food Shelf Finder for a food shelf nearest to you.

Details of service

• Clients are served on a first-come, first-served basis.
• First-time clients must provide proof of a local address, identification for themselves and all household members.


• Sources of income are requested to determine TEFAP (Emergency Food Assistance) eligibility.


• Bring your own boxes and bags.


• You may be issued an Emergency Services Identification Card. This card must be presented each time you or anyone in your household requests services. If you are not registered as head of the household, you will be asked to present identification for the individual identified as the head of your household when you request services.

Please be respectful of space limitations.

The food shelf is small. We ask that only one adult per household go through at a time. If possible, we ask that children over the age of 12 remain in the lobby while their parent shops.

All children under 12 years of age must be supervised at all times since child care is not available.

Special Projects: More for clients

Catholic Charities Emergency Services: Food, Clothing, Financial offers special opportunities for clients throughout the year. Click here for additional information.

Email the Emergency Services Program Manager.