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

November 25, 2019

Skalicky Foundation to Match Up to $150,000

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 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.

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Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge

By Brittany Hoversten • July 1, 2025
Summer should be a time of fun and freedom — but for many families in Central Minnesota, it’s a time of deep uncertainty. Without school meal programs and with rising grocery prices, far too many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf is once again participating in the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge — and we need your help! What Is the Summer Challenge? Every July, food shelves across Minnesota take part in the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge — a statewide fundraising effort where donations are matched through grant funding. That means every dollar you give to our food shelf during the month of July helps us qualify for a matching grant of up to $4,000. It’s a powerful way to double your impact and ensure we can continue meeting the growing need in our community. The Need Has Never Been Greater Food insecurity remains heartbreakingly common in our state. According to a 2024 statewide hunger study, 1 in 5 households in Minnesota are food insecure. Here at Catholic Charities, we’ve seen that need firsthand. Our food shelf has seen a dramatic rise in the number of shoppers — including many families who have never needed help before. The cost of food is higher than ever, and families are forced to make tough decisions between buying groceries and paying for rent, gas, or medications. What We’re Doing At Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf, we offer more than just food — we offer choice, dignity, and hope. Our shoppers are able to select the food that fits their family’s dietary, cultural, and health needs. We provide a respectful, welcoming experience and access to nutritious foods, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy. In 2024, we distributed over 2.7 million pounds of food through our food shelf, mobile outreach, and emergency food bag programs — but we can’t do it alone. How You Can Help This July, your support means more than ever. Every donation made to our food shelf during the Summer Challenge will be matched through the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge, stretching your gift further to help feed families in Central Minnesota. ➡️ Donate Today: Click here to give now Thank you for being part of this mission of compassion and community. Want to learn more about our Food Shelf and other food programs? Visit ccstcloud.org/food-services To learn more about the statewide Summer Challenge, visit oyh.org/summer-challenge