Senior Dining Provides Curbside Frozen Meal Distribution Across Central Minnesota in July
June 17, 2021
Meals for seniors age 60 and over are available at 26 locations
Catholic Charities Senior Dining has organized Frozen Meal Distribution pop-up locations for the month of July across Central Minnesota, with meals for seniors age 60 and over available at 26 locations, including Albany, Askov, Big Lake, Brainerd, Browerville, Deerwood, Foley, Hinckley, Little Falls, Milaca, Mora, North Branch, Ogilvie, Paynesville, Pierz, Pillager, Rush City, Sandstone, Sartell, St. Cloud, St. Joseph, Staples and Wadena.
- Brainerd:
Thursday, July 1, 11 am to 12:00 pm — Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army, 208 S 5th St, Brainerd, MN 56401
- Ogilvie: Tuesday, July 6, 11 am to 12 pm — Ogilvie Museum, 102 N Hill Ave, Ogilvie, MN 56358
- Mora: Tuesday, July 6, 12 to 1 pm — First Presbyterian Church, 551 S Wood St, Mora, MN 55051
- Albany: Tuesday, July 6, 1 to 2 pm — Pondview Estates, 334 Golfview Dr, Albany, MN 56307
- Milaca: Thursday, July 8, 2 to 3:30 pm — Alliance Church, 12543 MN-23, Milaca, MN 56353
- Wadena: Thursday, July 8, 1 to 2 pm — Immanuel Lutheran Church, 403 2nd St SE, Wadena, MN 56482
- Little Falls: Friday, July 9, 10 to 11 am — Little Falls Senior Center, 510 7th St NE, Little Falls, MN 56345
- Hinckley: Friday, July 9, 10 to 11:30 am — Hinckley Community Center, 102 Dunn Ave N, Hinckley, MN 55037
- North Branch: Saturday, July 10, 9:30 to 11:30 am — Ruby's Pantry, 4359 392nd St, North Branch, MN 55056
- St. Cloud: Monday, July 12, 11 am to 1 pm — First Presbyterian Church, 340 5th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Foley: Monday, July 12, 11 am to 1 pm — Foley Area CARE, 321 6th Ave, Foley, MN 56329
- St. Cloud: Tuesday, July 13, 1 to 3 pm — Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 157 Roosevelt Rd, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Sartell: Wednesday, July 14, 9:30 to 11 am — Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St S, Sartell, MN 56377
- Rush City: Thursday, July 15, 10 to 11:30 am — Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 425 S Frandsen Ave, Rush City, MN 55069
- Sandstone: Thursday, July 15, 1 to 2:30 pm — Pine Habilitation and Supported Employment, Inc. (PHASE), 106 Main St, Sandstone, MN 55072
- Staples: Thursday, July 15, 2 to 4 pm — Lakewood Health System (Main Campus parking lot near Farmer’s Market), 49725 Co Rd 83, Staples, MN 56479
- Pillager: Thursday, July 15, 12 to 2 pm (frozen meal distribution); 12 to 4 pm (NAPS distribution) — Pillager Area Family Center, 305 Fir Ave, Pillager, MN 56473. Through the Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS), Minnesota’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), Second Harvest Heartland will provide a box of nutritious food to low-income seniors 60 years old and over. Program participants are given a box of highly nutritious food that may include canned fruits, vegetables and juices, milk, cheese, canned meat, peanut butter or dried beans, cereal, rice or pasta.
- Pierz: Friday, July 16, 10 am to 12 pm — Fellowship Bible Church, 12876 MN-25, Pierz, MN 56364
- Deerwood: Monday, July 19, 11 am to 12:30 pm — Deerwood Auditorium (parking lot), 23770 Forest Rd, Deerwood, MN 56444
- Askov: Tuesday, July 20, 1 to 2:30 pm — Askov Community Center, 6369 Kobmagergade, Askov, MN 55704
- Browerville: Wednesday, July 21, 10 to 11:30 am — Browerville Area Food Shelf, 704 N Main St. Browerville, MN 56438
- Sartell: Monday, July 26, 8 to 10:30 am — Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pine Cone Rd N, Sartell, MN 56377
- Big Lake: Monday, July 26, 10 am to 12 pm — Old National Bank (parking lot), 19943 County Rd 43, Big Lake, MN 55309
- St. Cloud: Tuesday, July 27, 1 to 3 pm — Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 157 Roosevelt Rd, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Paynesville: Wednesday, July 28, 1 to 2 pm — Green Roof Area Center, 1105 W Main St, Paynesville, MN 56362
- St. Joseph: Thursday, July 29, 10:30 am to 11:30 am— Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 Co Rd 2, St. Joseph, MN 56374
The Senior Dining Frozen Meal Expansion Project started in August 2020 and additional pop-up locations are continually being added. At the time of writing, 26 locations for the month of June are currently scheduled. Visit ccstcloud.org/events for the most up-to-date information. The project is partially funded under a contract with the Central Minnesota Council on Aging as part of the Older Americans Act.
These healthy and nutritious frozen meals meet one-third of the recommended daily allowance for seniors, and are packaged in oven-safe containers that are easy to heat and eat in both conventional and microwave ovens. Meals are available in quantities of 10 and up to 30 per calendar month. Participants must be 60 years of age and older to be eligible, and all clients must complete an annual registration form. There is no cost to participate; however, donations will be accepted.
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.
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 .
