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
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 .
Catholic Charities is thrilled to announce the success of our 16th Annual Pack the Porches Food and Fund Drive, held on March 27th, 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.
