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
When life feels overwhelming, finding the right support can make all the difference. That is exactly what happened for Kenneth, a 30-year-old father who found himself facing several impossible choices. With overdue bills, rent payments, and the pressure of providing for his children, Kenneth was struggling to keep his family afloat. On top of that, he needed his children’s birth certificates to register them for Catholic Charities' Toys for Tots program, so they could have presents for Christmas. Though Kenneth had never used the Food Shelf before, he was introduced to our services by a Financial Assistance Program Coordinator, who showed him how utilizing the Food Shelf could ease some of the financial strain. The ability to save money on groceries would allow him to prioritize other needs, like utilities and rent. Our Financial Assistance program assisted Kenneth with obtaining his children's birth certificates and provided him with a cart full of groceries for his family. Additionally, we provided Kenneth with a list of community resources to help him continue moving forward. This assistance gave Kenneth and his family a renewed sense of hope. With a little help from our team, Kenneth felt a weight lift as he began to “dig out” of his financial struggles. The ability to provide his children with meals, secure the birth certificates needed for their Christmas gifts, and access other helpful resources helped him regain some stability during a tough time. Kenneth’s story is a powerful reminder that our work extends far beyond providing food. It is about offering hope, relief, and the tools needed to help individuals and families navigate challenges. Whether it is a grocery cart full of food, helping with essential paperwork, or connecting people to the broader network of resources, every bit of support contributes to making our neighbors’ lives better. We are honored to provide this kind of support to families like Kenneth’s. It is the generosity of our community that allows us to continue serving those who need it most. Whether through food donations, financial gifts, or volunteer time, the contributions we receive leave a lasting impact on our neighbors' lives.
A Journey of Hope and Resilience
At Catholic Charities Emergency Services, we see countless acts of kindness every day, but a recent donation from a remarkable young man left a special mark on our hearts. On a chilly Friday afternoon, Bryce, a 17-year-old student at Albany High School, donated an impressive 860 pounds of squash. This generous gift highlights the power of community support, proving that even in challenging times, there is always hope. Bryce has grown his own pumpkins, squash, and gourds under the name Bryce Pumpkin’s, which has become known for fresh, locally grown produce. His efforts extend beyond growing, as he sells his harvest at farmers markets and even had a booth at the Made in Minnesota Expo in November, supporting local businesses and sustainable farming. What makes his story even more inspiring is how Bryce uses his success to give back. His donation will directly help families in need through our food shelf, which serves St. Cloud and surrounding areas. Bryce’s squash donation will be a vital part of our monthly food distribution, helping to provide nutritious meals to hundreds of families in our community. His gesture demonstrates not only a heart full of compassion but also the interconnectedness of local farmers, businesses, and families. When young people like Bryce step up, it’s a reminder that the future is well cared for. Bryce’s story proves that even small acts of kindness can grow into something truly transformative. Through donations like Bryce’s, we are able to provide food to those who need it most, including seniors on fixed incomes and single parents working multiple jobs. The connection between local farmers and organizations like Catholic Charities sustains our community and fosters hope for those struggling. Looking ahead to the upcoming growing season, we’re excited to see what other generous community members, like Bryce, will share. His efforts remind us that every small contribution adds up to something much bigger, and it’s not just about the food—we’re also strengthening our community and inspiring hope for all.
