Announcing the 10th Annual Pack the Porches Food Drive

February 28, 2020

Benefiting Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf and in Partnership with the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign

Did you know that more than 3 million visits are made per year to Minnesota food shelves, and that 45 percent of Minnesotans on the SNAP program (“food stamps”) are children?

This March, as part of the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, Catholic Charities will hold its 10th annual Pack the Porches food drive, benefitting Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf.

On Friday, March 20, from 7 am to 1 pm, Catholic Charites Food Shelf will accept donations of nonperishable food items and funds at three drop-off locations: Pioneer Place on Fifth, 22 5th Ave S, Saint Cloud; HealthPartners, 2251 Connecticut Ave S, Sartell; and St. Cloud Hyundai, 900 2nd St S, Waite Park.

March is typically a challenging month for Minnesota food shelves, and as summer approaches and school lunches are no longer available for the 45 percent of SNAP participants who are children, donations become even more important.

Join Catholic Charities to end Minnesota hunger and increase awareness of food insecurity within the St. Cloud area. Coborn’s will match up to 10,000 pounds of food donations, and donors on the day of Pack the Porches will receive a free cup of coffee with each food or cash donation at their drop-off location. Monetary donations are also accepted at all three locations and at ccstcloud.org.

Many businesses and schools across the St. Cloud area are also holding a Pack the Porches food drive in March, leading up to March 20, when they’ll be delivering their collected food items and funds to one of the drop-off locations. For more information on becoming a participating partner, contact Eric Vollen, marketing and public relations manager, Catholic Charities, at 320-650-1641 or eric.vollen@ccstcloud.org.

Can’t make it to Pack the Porches? The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign continues through April 12. Bring nonperishable items to Catholic Charities Food Shelf, 157 Roosevelt Rd, St. Cloud, and donate funds in person or online. Visit ccstcloud.org/minnesota-foodshareto learn more.

About Minnesota FoodShare

Minnesota FoodShare is an interfaith organization aiming to fight food insecurity and raise awareness of it among Minnesota communities. The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is the largest annual grassroots food and fund drive in the state, and helps to stock nearly 300 food shelves statewide. During the 2019 March Campaign, more than 8 million dollars and over 5.1 million pounds of food shelf items were raised by Minnesota food shelves and Minnesota FoodShare. To date, Minnesota FoodShare has distributed over 17.8 million dollars to March Campaign participating food shelves via the Minnesota FoodShare FoodFund. 100 percent of donations received by Minnesota FoodShare during the March Campaign go into the FoodFund and are distributed to March Campaign participating food shelves.

About Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is a nonprofit organization that works to build communities, promote family life and enhance human dignity by providing quality services to meet the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and families of all faiths and beliefs.

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.