Senior Dining Is Providing Frozen Meal Pickups in Various Central Minnesota Locations in October
October 2, 2020
Current locations include Harris, Ogilvie, Cambridge, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Clear Lake and Sartell
Catholic Charities Senior Dining is continuing to grow the Senior Dining
Frozen Meal Expansion Project, with meals being made available at several locations across Central
Minnesota, including, Harris (Oct. 5), Ogilvie (Oct. 6), Cambridge (Oct. 8), Hinckley (Oct. 9), St. Cloud (Oct. 12),
Clear Lake (Oct. 14), Askov (Oct. 20) and Sartell (Oct. 26).
- Harris: Monday, October 5, 2 pm to 3:30 pm – Harris Covenant Church, 43680 Gates Ave, Harris, MN 55032
- Ogilvie: Tuesday, October 6, 11 am to 12 pm – Ogilvie Civic Center, 102 N Hill Ave, Ogilvie, MN 56358
- Cambridge: Thursday, October 8, 9 am to 11 am – Family Pathways, 1575 1st Ave E, Cambridge, MN 55008
- Hinckley: Friday, October 9, 10 am to 11:30 am – Hinckley Community Center, 198 Dunn Ave N #100, Hinckley, MN 55037
- St. Cloud: Monday, October 12, 1:30 am to 1 pm – First Presbyterian Church of St. Cloud, 340 5th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Clear Lake: Wednesday, October 14, 2 pm to 3:30 pm – St. Marcus Church, 8701 Main Ave, Clear Lake, MN 55319
- Askov: Tuesday, October 20, 1 pm to 3 pm – Askov Community Center, 6369 Kobmagergade, Askov, MN 55704
- Sartell: Monday, October 26, 8 am to 10:30 am – Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 N Pine Cone Rd, Sartell, MN 56377
The Senior Dining Frozen Meal Expansion Project started in August and additional locations are continually being added. At the time of writing, eight locations for the month October 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.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Catholic Charities Senior Dining recognizes now more than ever that seniors need access to easy-to-prepare, healthy food options. 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.
Catholic Charities Senior Dining sites have been providing seniors with food during the COVID-19 pandemic with modified quarantine practices. Recognizing that seniors who live in rural communities have limited opportunities for food support, Catholic Charities Senior Dining is partnering with several Central Minnesota locations to offer our frozen meals to pick up in a no-contact, drive-through format.
Catholic Charities Senior Dining, a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud, has been providing low-cost meal options for seniors 60 and older in Central Minnesota for more than 55 years. The program currently has senior dining sites located across nine counties throughout the Central Minnesota region, offering meals for takeout, pickup and home delivery. To see a list of Catholic Charities Senior Dining site locations by county, visit the Senior Dining section at ccstcloud.org/program-status.
Our Recent News
Summer should be a time of fun and freedom — but for many families in Central Minnesota, it’s a time of deep uncertainty. Without school meal programs and with rising grocery prices, far too many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf is once again participating in the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge — and we need your help! What Is the Summer Challenge? Every July, food shelves across Minnesota take part in the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge — a statewide fundraising effort where donations are matched through grant funding. That means every dollar you give to our food shelf during the month of July helps us qualify for a matching grant of up to $4,000. It’s a powerful way to double your impact and ensure we can continue meeting the growing need in our community. The Need Has Never Been Greater Food insecurity remains heartbreakingly common in our state. According to a 2024 statewide hunger study, 1 in 5 households in Minnesota are food insecure. Here at Catholic Charities, we’ve seen that need firsthand. Our food shelf has seen a dramatic rise in the number of shoppers — including many families who have never needed help before. The cost of food is higher than ever, and families are forced to make tough decisions between buying groceries and paying for rent, gas, or medications. What We’re Doing At Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf, we offer more than just food — we offer choice, dignity, and hope. Our shoppers are able to select the food that fits their family’s dietary, cultural, and health needs. We provide a respectful, welcoming experience and access to nutritious foods, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy. In 2024, we distributed over 2.7 million pounds of food through our food shelf, mobile outreach, and emergency food bag programs — but we can’t do it alone. How You Can Help This July, your support means more than ever. Every donation made to our food shelf during the Summer Challenge will be matched through the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge, stretching your gift further to help feed families in Central Minnesota. ➡️ Donate Today: Click here to give now Thank you for being part of this mission of compassion and community. Want to learn more about our Food Shelf and other food programs? Visit ccstcloud.org/food-services To learn more about the statewide Summer Challenge, visit oyh.org/summer-challenge
A Lesson in Trust, Patience, and Unexpected Joy
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.
