Exciting things are happening at the Friends in Need Food Shelf! March is Minnesota FoodShare Month. The money, toiletries and food that we receive during the month of March are partially matched by Minnesota FoodShare and the Feinstein Foundation.

If you would like to do a drive in March, we would really encourage you to consider toiletry items such as bar soap, shampoo, toilet paper, deodorant, dish soap and laundry soap instead of food so we don’t need to worry about expiration dates. As most of you know, money is always best as we purchase most of our food from Second Harvest. If you would like to send a check, please mail it to Friends in Need, P.O. Box 6, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

Everyone is invited to our 20^th Anniversary Open House here at the Food Shelf on Thursday, May 3 at 6:00. You will have a chance to tour the food shelf and ask any questions that you might have. Refreshments and drinks will be provided. We are located on Northern Tier Energy property in St. Paul Park. Call (651)458-0730 for directions.

Please check out our updated website at www.friendsinneedfoodshelf.org. It has our weekly job list, media links, and information about other local agencies. You can also donate online with a credit card.

We want to thank everyone for their wonderful support of our Share the Joy program this past Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also want to thank all of those who helped make the Holiday Train fundraiser the best yet! This past year, we served over 36,000 people (a 30% increase.) The reason we are so successful is that we are supported so generously by the community around us. Our local businesses, civic organizations, schools and churches are amazing! With Northern Tier Energy donating our building and utilities and the generosity of our donors, we are able to meet the demand and be very generous in how much food we give out. We couldn’t do this without you!

Michelle Rageth

Director

Exciting things are happening at the Friends in Need Food Shelf! March is Minnesota FoodShare Month. The money, toiletries and food that we receive during the month of March are partially matched by Minnesota FoodShare and the Feinstein Foundation.

If you would like to do a drive in March, we would really encourage you to consider toiletry items such as bar soap, shampoo, toilet paper, deodorant, dish soap and laundry soap instead of food so we don’t need to worry about expiration dates. As most of you know, money is always best as we purchase most of our food from Second Harvest. If you would like to send a check, please mail it to Friends in Need, P.O. Box 6, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

Everyone is invited to our 20^th Anniversary Open House here at the Food Shelf on Thursday, May 3 at 6:00. You will have a chance to tour the food shelf and ask any questions that you might have. Refreshments and drinks will be provided. We are located on Northern Tier Energy property in St. Paul Park. Call (651)458-0730 for directions.

Please check out our updated website at www.friendsinneedfoodshelf.org. It has our weekly job list, media links, and information about other local agencies. You can also donate online with a credit card.

We want to thank everyone for their wonderful support of our Share the Joy program this past Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also want to thank all of those who helped make the Holiday Train fundraiser the best yet! This past year, we served over 36,000 people (a 30% increase.) The reason we are so successful is that we are supported so generously by the community around us. Our local businesses, civic organizations, schools and churches are amazing! With Northern Tier Energy donating our building and utilities and the generosity of our donors, we are able to meet the demand and be very generous in how much food we give out. We couldn’t do this without you!

Michelle Rageth

Director

Information on the site includes:

* How to find financial assistance to help you with your heating bills.

* How to stay safe in your home while also staying warm.

* How to make your home more energy efficient.

* How to get more information about State and local programs and programs available from some energy companies.

Visit Stay Warm Minnesota

This agency is where residents of Washington County can inquire about Section 8 housing, low-income housing tax credits, rehabilitation loans for qualified properties, information about affordable rentals, shelter information and information on how to avoid foreclosure.

Washington County HRA
321 Broadway Ave
St Paul Park, MN 55071

Phone: 651-458-0936
Fax: 651-458-1696

Click here to visit the Washington County HRA website

Donations can be made on a one-time basis or can be setup to automatically donate at intervals of monthly, quarterly or annually.

Online donations are quick and easy! Visit our “Donate” page now for more information!

FamilyMeans
Phone: (651) 735-5405 (Woodbury)
Phone: (651) 439-4840 (Stillwater)

Gamblers Anonymous
Phone: (612) 922-3956

Family Services, Inc.
Phone: (651) 222-0311

Fathers Resource Center (Counseling Support)
Phone: (763) 783-4938

Crisis Connection
24-Hour Phone Counseling Line: (612) 379-6363

Crisis Nurseries
Free childcare for crisis situations where children may be at risk
Phone: (763) 591-0100

950 3rd St #101
St. Paul Park, MN
Phone: 651-458-9786

Click here for a map

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HSI Transporter
Phone: (651) 275-4300
Serves the entire county and can also accomodate people with physical disabilities. The fare is $3.00 for each one-way ride between 9:00am and 3:00pm. Before 9:00am and after 3:00pm, the fare is $4.00. The HSI Transporter can bring people to restaurants, medical appointments, local stores, etc within Washington County.

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CVS (Community Volunteer Service)
Phone: (651) 439-7434
Provides door-to-door rides to medical-related appointments. CVS relies on volunteer drivers so they ask for 72 hours notice if possible. Rides are free.

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**People on medical assistance needing transportation to and from medical appointments should talk to their worker or the Department of Human Services.