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
Our team is deeply committed to providing a welcoming and supportive community for our seniors, and the journey of one special individual exemplifies this mission. Raphael's story began two years ago when he discovered our Senior Dining services at the Whitney Center, thanks to a recommendation from a friend. From the moment he walked through our doors, he found more than just a place to eat — he found a home. Raphael quickly became a cherished member of our Senior Dining community. He was drawn to the warm, inviting atmosphere and the delicious meals prepared by our dedicated Food Coordinator. Raphael often shared how much he appreciated the quality of the meals, a sentiment that echoed throughout his time with us. Beyond the food, it was the kindness and professionalism of our volunteers and staff that left a lasting impression on Raphael. “Such beautiful people,” he often said when talking about his experience with us. It was this sense of belonging that inspired Raphael to give back, and with the help of our Senior Dining Coordinator, he was able to become a valued volunteer. Whether helping in the dining room or assisting behind the scenes, Raphael’s contributions were always appreciated. However, life’s changes sometimes bring new challenges. Recently, Raphael’s schedule shifted, making it harder for him to visit us regularly. Yet, our Senior Dining Coordinator remained committed to ensuring he still received the meals he relied on. Despite Raphael not being initially eligible for Meals on Wheels, our team worked diligently to secure county approval, so he could continue to benefit from this essential service. For Raphael, this thoughtful care reinforced his belief that he is "blessed" to have access to our services. What stands out most for Raphael, however, is the personal touch he receives from our staff and volunteers. “Being greeted by name,” he says, “makes all the difference. It shows that you are valued and appreciated.” These small but meaningful gestures help to foster a strong sense of community and are what make the Whitney Center such a special place. A Call for Volunteers At Catholic Charities, we know that the warmth of our community would not be possible without the support of our dedicated volunteers. We are always in need of individuals willing to make a difference in the lives of seniors in our community. If you’re looking for a way to give back, we have opportunities in several areas: Delivering Meals on Wheels Preparing food in our kitchens Setting up dining sites for meals Serving meals to seniors Cleaning up after meals Assisting with clerical tasks These opportunities may vary by location, so please reach out to your local Catholic Charities Senior Dining Site Coordinator to learn more and sign up to volunteer. By offering your time and talents, you can help ensure that more seniors like Raphael continue to experience the sense of community and care that makes our Senior Dining services so meaningful. Thank you for being a part of the Catholic Charities family and for helping us make a difference every day.
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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.
