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.
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Our Senior Dining programs offer more than just a meal – they provide a nurturing environment that fosters friendships, healing, and a sense of belonging. Roberta, a Senior Dining Coordinator for 15 years, has witnessed the powerful impact of our services at the Grasston and Mora locations. Among the many events that have touched her heart, one couple’s journey stands out as a beautiful testament to the healing power of community. A woman who had recently suffered a stroke, faced significant challenges. Most of her right side, including her vision, was affected, and she was determined to regain her independence. After her therapy sessions, she and her husband would come to Senior Dining, where they found not only a meal but a circle of support and care. Every visit, a group of women diners would greet them with warm smiles, helping with her jacket and guiding the couple to their table. These kind-hearted women went beyond mere kindness – they helped the woman with her meal and made sure she was comfortable and well-cared for throughout the dining experience. Over time, the woman’s strength and independence began to improve. The therapy sessions, combined with the unwavering support of her new friends at Senior Dining, made a significant difference in her recovery. The bonds formed in that dining hall grew stronger, evolving into genuine friendships that transcended just shared meals. What had started as a place for nourishment soon became a sanctuary of laughter, conversation, and companionship. It was clear that the true nourishment was not just the food – it was the emotional and social support the diners received, creating an atmosphere that was as healing as it was comforting. The couple still maintains their deep friendships with the group of women they met at Senior Dining. Even in their 80s and 90s, they continue to get together three or four times a year, reminiscing about the meals that sustained them, the friendships that uplifted them, and the kindness that made all the difference. For Roberta, this story is a reminder of the true essence of her work. It’s not just about coordinating meals – it’s about creating a community where people care for one another, lifting each other up in times of need.
Get your holiday shopping done while supporting a great cause! Catholic Charities is partnering with Barnes & Noble in St. Cloud for a Bookfair on Thursday, December 12, 2025 . A percentage of your purchase will benefit Catholic Charities’ programs—just mention you're shopping to support Catholic Charities at checkout! Shop in-store or online: In-store: Visit Barnes & Noble in St. Cloud on December 12 and let the cashier know you're supporting Catholic Charities. Online: Shop at https://www.bn.com/bookfairs from December 12–16, 2025 and enter Bookfair ID 12695763 at checkout. How to apply the Bookfair ID online: Add items to your cart and proceed to checkout. Scroll to the bottom of the checkout page. Click the plus sign next to “Add Bookfair ID.” Enter 12695763 and click Apply . Everything counts! Books, DVDs, music, vinyl, toys & games, and even Café purchases (except Starbucks-operated locations). Stock up for the holidays and help support Catholic Charities’ vital services in our community. Note: Gift cards, memberships, textbooks, video games, digital content (eBooks), and purchases at Starbucks-owned Cafés are excluded from Bookfair totals. Institutional discounts may not be applied.
