FOOD SHELF BEGINS MARCH CAMPAIGN TO RE-STOCK SHELVES
March 1, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Trina Dietz
Communications Coordinator
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud
320.650.1644
trina.dietz@ccstcloud.org
Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf begins March Campaign to re-stock shelves
Make your donation online now
Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf has a long name, for a good reason.
- If you have to choose between feeding your family or buying medicine for a sick child, it’s an emergency.
- If you have to choose between putting gas in your car, or food in your kids’ tummies, it’s an emergency.
- If you have to choose between eating breakfast or dinner, so your kids can have three meals in a day, it’s an emergency.
MARCH CAMPAIGN
Most food shelves receive a huge influx of food and other resources during November and December, but by March, supplies begin to dwindle.
More than 30 years ago, Minnesota FoodShare, an interfaith collaboration, began an annual March Campaign to re-stock state food shelves. The group gathers incentive funds from large Minnesota corporations such as Target, General Mills and Land O Lakes, to challenge local food shelves like Catholic Charities Emergency Services to raise as much food and funds as they can locally.
“The more food and funds we can secure locally, the more of those incentive funds will come back to help hungry people in the St. Cloud area,” said Pareja. “When you consider that our buying power allows Catholic Charities to use just $10 to purchase $30 worth of groceries, every dollar is significant.”
Statewide, food shelves have a friendly competition to see who can bring in the most food and funds. Pareja said Catholic Charities came in fourth in last year’s competition, and the organization would love to move up in this year’s standings.
PACK THE PORCHES
The Pack the Porches event on Friday, March 23 helps Catholic Charities in their efforts to replenish the Emergency Services Food Shelf. This community-wide food drive will have three locations, all accepting non-perishable food items and cash to aid those who use Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf.
Donations will be accepted from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Friday, on March 23 at three locations:
- Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre, 22 5th Ave S, St Cloud
- St. Cloud Hyundai, 900 2nd St S, Waite Park
- Health Partners Central Minnesota Clinic, 2251 Connecticut Ave S, Sartell
DONATIONS ACCEPTED
In addition to the March Campaign and Pack the Porches event, Catholic Charities Emergency Services accepts donations year-round, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 157 Roosevelt Road. Monetary donations can also be made online at CCStCloud.org.
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St. Cloud Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization that prides itself in serving the central Minnesota area. Catholic Charities is passionate about building communities, helping families, and by providing quality services that enhance human dignity.
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.
Every July, something powerful happens across Minnesota. Communities come together, neighbors support neighbors, and food shelves receive a boost exactly when they need it most. This year, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is once again proud to join the 17th Annual Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge—a statewide effort to strengthen food access during the summer months, when demand on food shelves rises. When school lets out for the summer, thousands of Minnesota children lose access to reliable meals. At the same time, donations to food shelves typically drop. This creates a seasonal gap that leaves many families struggling to put food on the table. The Summer Challenge helps bridge that gap. Through this initiative, participating food shelves—including Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf—receive a proportional matching grant based on the funds raised throughout July. That means every gift made this month goes even further, helping us serve more families across Central Minnesota. Last year, Minnesota food shelves reported more than 9 million visits, the highest number ever recorded. Rising food costs and ongoing economic instability continue to push families toward emergency food support at unprecedented levels. As one of the largest providers of emergency food assistance in Central Minnesota, Catholic Charities sees this need every day. In 2025 alone, 83 food shelves across the state participated in the Summer Challenge, raising $2.4 million to keep shelves stocked. Grants awarded ranged from $150 to $4,000, depending on each organization’s fundraising totals. This year’s theme—Kicking Hunger Together—aligns with the excitement of the World Cup, reminding us that teamwork, unity, and community spirit can make a real difference. Local Impact: How Your Support Helps Here in Central Minnesota, Catholic Charities Food Shelf continues to experience record demand. Participation in the Summer Challenge strengthens our ability to meet this need and ensures families have reliable access to nutritious food all summer long. Every donation helps us: - Keep shelves stocked with healthy, essential foods - Support families facing unexpected hardship - Ensure children have access to meals during summer break - Respond quickly to rising demand in our community Throughout July, your support has double the impact thanks to the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge. Whether you give online, host a food drive, or help spread the word, you’re part of a statewide team working to ensure no Minnesotan goes hungry. Make a gift now at https://wgv.to/catholic-charities-of-the-diocese-of-st-cloud
