Farmers’ Markets provide variety of great food to Central Minnesota
Items currently available at both Sartell Farmers’ Market sites include: meat, eggs, cheese, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, berries, breads and much more. Come meet your local farmers and find the great food available to you in Central Minnesota. Open from 3-6:30 p.m. every Monday, Market Monday is located at Riverside Plaza, 101 Seventh St. N., in front of Hardware Hank, and from 3-6 p.m. every Thursday at Centracare Plaza, 1900 Centracare Circle, St Cloud.
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Red Cross issues emergency call for blood, platelet donations to address significant shortage
The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.
Blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months, resulting in about 39,000 fewer donations than what’s needed, as well as a significant draw down of the overall Red Cross blood supply. In addition, the Independence Day holiday may have caused many regular donors to postpone donations due to vacation plans. A recent Red Cross poll revealed more than 75 percent of donors surveyed indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after July 4.
“Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which is why we are making this emergency request for donations,” said Sue Thesenga, communications manager of the North Central Blood Services Region. “Donations are urgently needed now to meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks. If you’ve thought about giving blood and helping to save lives, now is the time to do it. It’s the blood donations on the shelves that help save lives when an emergency occurs.”
How to Help
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites to allow for more donors to make an appointment to give. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health-history questionnaire are encouraged to avoid longer wait times. Donors with all blood types are needed.
Those unable to give can still help by encouraging others to give through a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/sleevesup, giving of their time through volunteerism or making a financial donation to support Red Cross humanitarian work across the country and around the world.
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Guided tours available for new Metro Bus routes
Metro Bus is hosting guided tours of new bus routes to help the public prepare for the route changes scheduled for Aug. 21. The “New Route RideAlong” tours, which include Routes 5, 8, 11, 12 and 33, are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays July 19-Aug. 11 and Saturdays July 16 and 23 and Aug. 13.
All tours are free and board at the Transit Center, 510 First St. N., St. Cloud. The Route 33 RideAlong also boards at the Crossroads Center bus shelter, because this route hubs from that location.
Participants have the opportunity to tour all of the new routes, or just the ones that interest them.
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Inclement weather may result in bus route delays
Dangerous thunderstorm alert and severe thunderstorm warnings in the St. Cloud area may result in Metro Bus route delays. Customers may want to alter travel schedules until the storms pass. Metro Bus advises customers to be safe and find appropriate shelter as necessary.
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Apollo High School to host food packaging event
Join with your neighbors and community organizations in an effort to feed those among us who are hungry right here in Central Minnesota. Together we will package 100,000+ desperately needed meals and distribute them to local charities and food shelves. This is an opportunity to engage in conversation and teamwork with your diverse neighbors in Central Minnesota. Join us to fight hunger and get to know those who live and work around you. Food packaging will take place on Thursday, July 28 at Apollo High School. There are four shifts available for volunteers to help package food: noon-2 p.m., 2-4 p.m., 4-6 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Visit www.unitedwayhelps.org to register today.
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Donate your furniture to those in need
No child should sleep on the floor. You can help by donating gently used items to help out a low-income family in need. Items accepted include couches, love seats, lamps, recliners, rockers, kitchen tables and chairs, end tables, night stands, dressers and complete bed sets (no king). Furniture with rips, stains, rust, tears or mold cannot be accepted. Tax receipts and pick up is available.
Contact the Community Furniture Program at 320-656-9004.
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