Food Shelf Charity Challenge Tradition Continues for the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation 

The Norman C. Skalicky Foundation, the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, and the St. Cloud Metro Area are excited to start the 19th annual Charity Challenge. Many local food shelves are dependent on the Charity Challenge, especially around this time of year when there’s an increase in the demand for food in the community. There’s no better way to start this holiday season than by supporting a family in need by donating to a local food shelf.

The Skalicky Foundation and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation announced on November 19 that the Charity Challenge match for local food shelves will take place again this year—matching every dollar donated to three area food shelves (up to $150,000) this Holiday season. Donations for the Charity Challenge need to be received by December 31, 2019. Contributions should be sent directly to any of the following eligible food shelves to the attention of “Food Shelf Charity Challenge":

• Catholic Charities, PO Box 2390, St. Cloud, MN 56302 or online at www.ccstcloud.org
• St. Cloud Salvation Army, 400 U.S. Highway 10 S, St. Cloud, MN 56304 or online at https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/StCloud
• St. Joseph Community Food Shelf, PO Box 384, St. Joseph, MN 56374

“Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is grateful to the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation for again offering the Charity Challenge 2019 match, benefiting Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf,” said Stephen R. Pareja, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud. “Rising energy costs in the winter months create a financial burden for many Central Minnesota families, resulting in more households seeking assistance from Catholic Charities Emergency Services. Last year, Catholic Charities Food Shelf served nearly 30,000 people by providing more than 1.9 million pounds of food. This matching grant greatly impacts our ability to help our neighbors next year. Thank you!”

This tradition has become a passion for Norman C. Skalicky, the founder and chairman of Stearns Bank. “To see the generosity of our community is just incredible,” Skalicky said. “Stearns Bank has always been passionate about giving back to our community, and it is just great to see the response from our community during this season. We are able to help more families than ever!”

Last year, an outstanding amount of $621,652.95 was raised thanks to our philanthropic community. In total, the Charity Challenge has raised $3.8 million to support local food shelves. The Charity Challenge has truly made a remarkable impact in the community.

“We are pleased that the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation continues to offer this Charity Challenge to help our local food shelves. This challenge is a great way to start the season of giving and we are grateful for all of the generous donors in Central Minnesota. These donations have made and continue to make a difference in our community” said Greta Stark-Kraker, Director of Donor Relations at the Central Minnesota Community Foundation.