Share the Love with Vulnerable Seniors This Year

November 21, 2019

Catholic Charities Joins Meals on Wheels America and Subaru of America, Inc. in Sharing the Love This Holiday Season

Exciting news! For the 12th year running, the Meals on Wheels network is participating in the 2019 Subaru Share the Love Event. Over the past eleven years, Subaru and its retailers have helped Meals on Wheels to deliver more than 2.2 million meals nationwide to seniors in need.

Why does Subaru support Meals on Wheels? Too many seniors are struggling to stay independent and healthy. One in four seniors lives alone in isolation and one in seven seniors might not know from where their next meal is coming. This is simply unacceptable, which is why Catholic Charities Meals on Wheels Program provides the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to the seniors of the eight counties we serve in Central Minnesota. This vital support keeps seniors in their own homes, where they want to be.

We’re incredibly grateful to Subaru and our local retailer, St. Cloud Subaru, for supporting our organization and the seniors we serve. With that in mind, we thought you might want to learn a little bit more about the Subaru Share the Love Event.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

This November 14, 2019, through January 2, 2020, for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities.* Meals on Wheels is one of four national participating charities and has been since the inception of the event. Through this event, as a member of Meals on Wheels America, Catholic Charities will receive a share of the donation from Subaru vehicles sold at participating Subaru Retailers.

You might not be in the market to purchase a new car, but if you are, please look into the Subaru Share the Love Eventto learn more. If you’re not shopping for a new vehicle, you can still help by spreading the word to your family and friends. A few quick and easy ways to do that:



And remember: this holiday season you can ensure our senior neighbors are not forgotten, when you purchase or lease a new Subaru and select Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice.


*Disclaimer: Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 14, 2019, through January 2, 2020, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 15, 2020. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

Our Recent News

Family Volunteers Bring Hope to Our Community

By Brittany Hoversten • June 16, 2026
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!

Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month: Spotlight on Jennifer Lieser Eschmann, MSW, LGSW

By Brittany Hoversten • May 26, 2026
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.

Kicking Hunger Together: Catholic Charities Joins the 17th Annual Open Your Heart Summer Challenge

By Brittany Hoversten • May 26, 2026
Every July, something powerful happens across Minnesota. Communities come together, neighbors support neighbors, and food shelves receive a boost exactly when they need it most. This year, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud is once again proud to join the 17th Annual Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge—a statewide effort to strengthen food access during the summer months, when demand on food shelves rises. When school lets out for the summer, thousands of Minnesota children lose access to reliable meals. At the same time, donations to food shelves typically drop. This creates a seasonal gap that leaves many families struggling to put food on the table. The Summer Challenge helps bridge that gap. Through this initiative, participating food shelves—including Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf—receive a proportional matching grant based on the funds raised throughout July. That means every gift made this month goes even further, helping us serve more families across Central Minnesota. Last year, Minnesota food shelves reported more than 9 million visits, the highest number ever recorded. Rising food costs and ongoing economic instability continue to push families toward emergency food support at unprecedented levels. As one of the largest providers of emergency food assistance in Central Minnesota, Catholic Charities sees this need every day. In 2025 alone, 83 food shelves across the state participated in the Summer Challenge, raising $2.4 million to keep shelves stocked. Grants awarded ranged from $150 to $4,000, depending on each organization’s fundraising totals. This year’s theme—Kicking Hunger Together—aligns with the excitement of the World Cup, reminding us that teamwork, unity, and community spirit can make a real difference. Local Impact: How Your Support Helps Here in Central Minnesota, Catholic Charities Food Shelf continues to experience record demand. Participation in the Summer Challenge strengthens our ability to meet this need and ensures families have reliable access to nutritious food all summer long. Every donation helps us: - Keep shelves stocked with healthy, essential foods - Support families facing unexpected hardship - Ensure children have access to meals during summer break - Respond quickly to rising demand in our community Throughout July, your support has double the impact thanks to the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge. Whether you give online, host a food drive, or help spread the word, you’re part of a statewide team working to ensure no Minnesotan goes hungry. Make a gift now at https://wgv.to/catholic-charities-of-the-diocese-of-st-cloud