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.

Catholic Charities Receives Major Donation from CentraCare Foundation to Support Senior Nutrition Programs

By Brittany Hoversten • April 28, 2026
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 .