Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign Continues through April 11

Today’s 11th annual Pack the Porches food and fund drive, benefiting Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf, received 4,403 pounds of food and $23,011 in donated funds during the six-hour event from 7 am to 1 pm. Thank you to Coborn’s for matching all food and fund donations up to $10,000.

Pack the Porches curbside drop-off locations were again located at Pioneer Place on Fifth, St. Cloud; and St. Cloud Hyundai, Waite Park. Catholic Charities Emergency Services also received food donations, and funds were received online through Catholic Charities website at ccstcloud.org.

Several businesses across the St. Cloud area also hosted Pack the Porches food and fund drives, leading up to today’s event, with some continuing throughout the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, which ends April 11.

“While COVID-19 continues to affect our community, helping neighbors experiencing hunger is more important than ever. Catholic Charities is grateful and overwhelmed by our community’s response during this time of unparalleled need. One in nine people, right here in our community, are unable to fill their cupboards and feed their children. While we’re all concerned with our own health and safety, our community has stepped forward to address the needs of others,” said Steve Pareja, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud.

Food and funds from the event support Catholic Charities Food Shelf, serving the communities of St. Cloud, St. Augusta, Sauk Rapids, Waite Park and Sartell.

Catholic Charities Emergency Services Modified Donation Hours

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic Charities Emergency Services is accepting food donations during limited hours through a drop-off model on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 12:30 and 1:30 pm at the loading area of its location at 157 Roosevelt Rd, St. Cloud, Door D. Outside of these hours, contact info@ccstcloud.org or 320-229-4560 to coordinate another drop-off time.

Please do not leave donations outside our doors. Donations must be collected and weighed by Catholic Charities staff to ensure food safety standards and inventory tracking. Funds can be donated online at ccstcloud.org/donate.

Catholic Charities Food Shelf Distribution

Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf is open for limited food distribution. Households will receive a monthly pre-packed food relief serve on Wednesdays from 3 pm to 7 pm, and Fridays from 9 am to 12 pm. Please contact Emergency Services at 320-229-4560 if needing to receive an additional serve in the month.

Catholic Charities Food Shelf distribution provides a monthly pre-packed food relief serve that’s packaged in a grocery cart of 120 to 200 pounds of food, depending on size of household.

For senior citizens age 60 and over, a monthly pre-packed food relief serve is available the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 1 pm to 3 pm. In partnership with Catholic Charities Senior Dining, frozen meals are also available to those registered with Catholic Charities Senior Dining program. Seniors can also register on-site during these hours.

Distribution is provided through a walk-up service model; no appointment needed. Social distancing precautions must be taken. Individuals must be at least six feet apart from one another while on premises. We request one individual at a time approach the distribution table.

About Minnesota FoodShare and the March Campaign

Minnesota FoodShare is an interfaith organization aiming to fight food insecurity and raise awareness of it among Minnesota communities. The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is the largest annual grassroots food and fund drive in the state, and helps to stock nearly 300 food shelves statewide. During the 2020 March Campaign, more than 21.5 million dollars and over 7.4 million pounds of food shelf items were raised by Minnesota food shelves.

To date, Minnesota FoodShare has distributed over 18 million dollars to March Campaign participating food shelves via the Minnesota FoodShare FoodFund. 100 percent of donations received by Minnesota FoodShare during the March Campaign go into the FoodFund and are distributed to March Campaign participating food shelves, including Catholic Charities.

Minnesota FoodShare envisions a future where all Minnesotans have access to healthy food and no one struggles with food insecurity. The March Campaign addresses these issues directly and Minnesota FoodShare invites you to join their efforts and advocate for long-term solutions to food insecurity and poverty in our communities.

Minnesota FoodShare began its work in 1982 with a campaign advanced by congregations to restock food shelves in the 7-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The effort was so successful and the need was so evident, the March Campaign became a statewide program just one year later.

Our Recent News

Introducing PORCH

By Brittany Hoversten • August 13, 2025
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Join the PORCH Movement to Fight Hunger We’re excited to partner with PORCH Communities to boost food donations and support our local pantry. PORCH makes it easy for anyone to make a difference—whether you're a busy parent, a student, or a community leader. With just 3 hours a month , you can help stock shelves and feed families in need. The PORCH model is simple, effective, and designed to empower volunteers with all the tools and guidance needed to start a local chapter. Whether you rally your neighbors or bring a friend, your efforts will directly impact food insecurity in your community. 📅 Virtual interest meetings are happening now! Learn how to start a PORCH in your neighborhood: 👉 Register here High school students : Become a PORCH Student Ambassador and lead the charge against hunger in your neighborhood. You’ll gain leadership experience while building a sustainable hunger relief program. #neighborshelpingneighbors #fighthunger #foodinsecurity

How Senior Dining Supports Health, Independence, and Community

By Brittany Hoversten • August 13, 2025
We are always honored to serve seniors like Gordon, whose story reminds us of the profound impact our Senior Dining program has on the lives of individuals in our community. Gordon, a widower of 58 years, currently lives with his son, but he continues to make the five-mile drive to the Senior Dining congregate site in Maple Lake every weekday. For Gordon, this is more than just a meal, it’s a chance to connect, stay healthy, and maintain his independence. "I can’t cook, and often I’m left eating Cheerios and coffee at night," Gordon shared. That’s where the Senior Dining program becomes so vital for him. The nutritious meals provided at Catholic Charities help him maintain a balanced diet and ensure he’s getting the nutrients he needs. While Gordon says, “You can’t please everyone all the time,” he enjoys the meals offered and values the healthy options available to him. But it’s not just about the food for Gordon. It’s the sense of community he experiences each day when he visits the Maple Lake site. Gordon enjoys visiting the other diners and the staff, who he calls "perfect" and insists they "do their jobs well." He appreciates the laughter, the warm welcome, and the connection with others that make each visit special. Catholic Charities Senior Dining Program serves seniors aged 60 and over, offering nutritious meals that help them stay healthy and independent. Whether it’s through congregate dining sites, or Meals on Wheels services, we are committed to providing seniors with the support they need to lead a healthy, independent life. Gordon is one of many seniors who rely on this program, and his continued dedication to attending every weekday demonstrates the importance of these services in maintaining his health and quality of life. He says he plans to keep coming as long as he’s able—a sentiment that reflects the value that Senior Dining brings to seniors in our community. We’re grateful for Gordon’s participation in our Senior Dining program and for the positive impact it has on his well-being. For Gordon and many others, it’s not just about the food, it’s about the connections, the care, and the opportunity to stay independent and healthy.

Grow & Give This Fall

By Brittany Hoversten • August 11, 2025
Grow & Give: Share Your Harvest with Neighbors in Need If your garden is overflowing this summer, you’re not alone—and that’s a good thing. Whether it’s tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, or beans, your extra produce can do more than fill your pantry. It can help feed families right here in our community. Catholic Charities of St. Cloud is hosting a Grow & Give donation event, running now through October 2025. The idea is simple: if you’re growing a garden, consider growing a little extra—or sharing what you won’t use—and donate it to Catholic Charities Food Shelf. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always in high demand, and your homegrown produce can make a real difference for neighbors facing food insecurity. How to Donate 📍 Drop-off Location: Catholic Charities Food Shelf 157 Roosevelt Road, Suite 100, St. Cloud, MN (Use Door D) 🕘 Donation Hours: Monday through Thursday: 9 am to 3 pm Friday: 9 am to 12 pm 🔔 Please ring the buzzer at Door D during donation hours. Staff or volunteers will meet you at the door to accept your donation. For food safety, donations must be handed directly to staff—please do not leave produce unattended or drop off outside posted hours.