Catholic Charities Food Shelf Is Certified as a SuperShelf
January 31, 2020
Join Us Tuesday, February 4, to Celebrate This Achievement!
Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf has been certified as a SuperShelf. The transformation from food shelf to SuperShelf built on existing foundations and results in a welcoming, positive grocery store-like experience for clients.
An event on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, from 3 pm to 5 pm at Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 157 Roosevelt Road, Suite 100, St. Cloud, will mark the designation as a SuperShelf. Supporters, donors, clients, community members and local media are welcome to gather and celebrate this achievement.
“We are so proud to have achieved SuperShelf status,” said Sue Hanks, program manager, Catholic Charities Emergency Services. “It has taken much hard work and the support of our staff, volunteers and the community to accomplish. We believe that the changes we’ve made will set us up to bring good food to all for many years to come.”
Over the past several months, Catholic Charities Food Shelf has made a number of positive changes to secure the SuperShelf certification. Highlights include:
- Increasing the quantity, accessibility and variety of healthier foods;
- Reconfiguring the food shelf layout to give prominence to fruits, vegetables and less-processed foods;
- Changing food categories to encourage selection of healthier options;
- Showcasing and promoting healthier foods by spotlighting them, providing recipes and samples;
- Developing policy to sustain practices and protecting supply to avoid inventory issues.
Donations of appropriate foods or finances are always welcomed. Please visit ccstcloud.org/services/emergency/food-shelf to learn more.
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.
About SuperShelf
The mission of SuperShelf is to transform food shelves, creating welcoming environments for communities to access appealing, healthy food. SuperShelf was founded by a partnership between The Food Group, Valley Outreach, HealthPartners, the University of Minnesota Extension Health and Nutrition team, and the University of Minnesota Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Many additional community partners have since joined the project in support of the work. The foundations for SuperShelf began in 2012 at Valley Outreach in Stillwater, Minnesota. Valley Outreach partnered with Lakeview Hospital (part of HealthPartners) to transform its environment for clients. Once the potential for community health improvement was realized, the scope of the project expanded. The founding partners worked to identify and implement promising practices at other pilot food shelf sites. A 2.1 million-dollar, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2017 enabled SuperShelf to expand to a number of additional locations and study the impact on the community’s health.
Our Recent News
At Catholic Charities, we are blessed to witness moments that reveal the true spirit of community. During a recent visit to our St. Cloud Senior Dining program, our team saw one of those moments firsthand. Grandpa Ray and his grandson, Noah, were preparing to deliver meals—a routine that has become a treasured family tradition. Ray often brings all three of his grandsons, turning service into something that strengthens their bond while uplifting others. Our Senior Dining Coordinator, Kim, shared that Ray and his grandkids have become a bright spot for many of the neighbors we serve. For those receiving meals, it’s not just about nutrition. It’s the warmth of a familiar smile, the energy of young people at the door, and the reminder that they are seen and cared for. This simple act of delivering meals shows the power of serving together—building community, connection, and hope one doorstep at a time. We depend on volunteers like Ray—and like you—to bring compassion to our neighbors. If you feel called to serve, explore our volunteer opportunities, including meal delivery and family volunteering. Your kindness could be the moment someone looks forward to each day. Make an impact and volunteer with us!
Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to honor the courage it takes to seek support, the resilience people carry within them, and the professionals who walk alongside individuals on their healing journeys. At Granite City Counseling—a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud—Jennifer Lieser Eschmann, MSW, LGSW, embodies that mission every day. Jenny’s path into mental health care began long before she earned her graduate degree. With 20 years of social work experience, she had already spent much of her life serving diverse communities and supporting individuals through life challenges. She graduated from Saint Benedict/Saint John’s in 2004, later pursuing her Master of Social Work to deepen her ability to support others. As part of her MSW training at St. Cloud State University, Jenny completed an internship at the St. Cloud Veterans Administration, gaining meaningful experience supporting veterans and their families. She also worked in higher education, promoting mental health initiatives, and helping students access the care they needed. Before her graduate studies, she served for many years as a Licensed Social Worker, working with a wide range of populations. These experiences shaped her, strengthened her, and gave her a broad, compassionate understanding of the people she serves today. A Person-Centered, Strength-Based Approach Jenny’s practice is grounded in person-centered care and a deep belief that every individual carries strength worth recognizing and nurturing. She incorporates: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Motivational Interviewing with a focus on the Stages of Change Mindfulness techniques A strong emphasis on self-care and resilience She specializes in supporting individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, stress, and challenges related to self-esteem and confidence. Helping people recognize their own strengths and potential isn’t just part of her job—it’s her passion. At Granite City Counseling, she works with individuals from many backgrounds, offering a safe, secure, and welcoming space where clients can share openly—often from deeply vulnerable places. She sees this as a privilege, not a task. Jenny wants future clients to know that they are not just a number. At Granite City Counseling, care is personal, intentional, and rooted in genuine compassion. Outside of work, Jenny enjoys spending time with her friends and family—especially cheering on her daughter at sporting events. She loves finding great bargains and looks forward to new travel adventures whenever she can. A Message for Anyone Who Is Struggling If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, Jenny wants you to reach out. Support is here, and healing is possible. Visit https://www.granitecitycounseling.com/ or call 320‑650‑1550. You deserve care, connection, and a place to feel heard.
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 .
