Free Summer Lunch runs June 12-Aug. 3
Kids 18 and under are invited to attend Summer Lunch and Learn from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Centennial Park and Wednesdays and Thursdays at Klinefelter Park from June 12-Aug. 3. Register the day you come during the first week. All youth MUST be accompanied by an adult. No peanuts, butter or pork products will be used. We are also in need of volunteers to help transport food from City Hall and serve the food at the parks. For more information on all of this: centralmncw@gmail.com or 320-316-3290. This is a collaborative effort of the Central Minnesota Catholic Worker, area churches, the City of St. Joseph and the YES! Network (Department of Education).
Fare for All set June 12
Fare for All, a local non-profit food program created to make fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable to Central Minnesota families, will host its next distribution from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, June 12 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 CR 2, St. Joseph. Hot buy for the month of June will be a Sirloin steak box, just in time to treat those men for Father’s Day. The program has no income requirements and is open to everyone. There are no forms to complete and cash, credit, debit and EBT cards are all accepted. For more information, please visit our website at fareforall.org, find us on Facebook or call 1-800-582-4291.
Minnesota legislature, governor approve funding for St. Cloud Regional Airport study
The Greater St. Cloud Development Corp. led a successful effort to secure funding for a grant to study air-transport-optimization planning for the St. Cloud Regional Airport. The appropriation was included in the transportation bill approved by the Minnesota legislature and signed into law this week by Gov. Mark Dayton.
This one-time appropriation of $250,000 will be used to conduct an air-transport-optimization-planning study for the St. Cloud Regional Airport. The study must be comprehensive and market-based, using economic development and air-service expertise to research, analyze and develop models and strategies that maximize the return on investments made to enhance the use and economic impact of the St. Cloud Regional Airport.
In collaboration with the city of St. Cloud and area counties, the Greater St. Cloud Development Corp. will lead efforts to develop the study, provide project management and assist with communication with various stakeholders in Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties.
By Jan. 5, 2018 a report with recommendations based on the findings of the study must be submitted to the governor and the members and staff of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over capital investment, transportation and economic development with recommendations based on the findings of the study. The city of St. Cloud will serve as the fiscal host for the grant funds.
More information is available at https://www.stcloudareachamber.com/Special-Events/Legislators or by calling 320-251-2940.
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Run a food drive
Make a difference in our community by taking action. Collect food to support children and youth this summer. Suggested items include the following: easy macaroni, oatmeal, peanut butter and jelly, canned soup, cereal and more. Drop off food donations during United Way Day of Action from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, June 15 at Lake George Municipal Complex. Food will be donated to Catholic Charities Emergency Services. Contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
Foster Grandparents seeks mentors
The Foster Grandparent Program needs more mentors for youth in our community. Currently there are openings at local elementary schools, Journey Home daycare (working with infants and toddlers), Kidstops and Head Start. Foster Grandparent volunteers might help students with a reading assignment, work with a small group on a craft or help kids cook an evening meal. Adults aged 55 and over can receive an hourly tax-free stipend ($2.65/hour) for volunteering 15 hours per week (or more if they wish) helping children with activities, reinforcing learning, helping with art projects and more. This is a great opportunity if you have time to spare, love to be with children and could use some extra non-taxable income. Contact Jenny, Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program, at 320-229-4589 or toll-free at 1-866-895-7992.
Plant a Row, Harvest a Row
Consider planting an extra row in your garden and donating the produce to your local food shelf. Favorites include carrots, beans, beets, kohlrabi, corn, potatoes, cabbage, peppers, onions and asparagus. Any produce that has a longer shelf life is accepted. This is an easy way to help our food shelves during the summer and fall. Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4560; CROSS Center at 320-968-7012; and the Salvation Army at 320-252-4552.
No child should sleep on the floor.
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.
Anna Marie’s Alliance seeks donations
Anna Marie’s Alliance is in need of the following items for women in their shelter: liquid hand soap, paper napkins, hand towels, facial tissue, toilet paper, women’s pajamas (all sizes), women’s slippers with non-skid soles, women’s underwear (size 5-8), cake-decorating gel and candles for birthdays, and new or gently used appliances for women leaving the shelter. Anna Marie’s Alliance, is a private non-profit corporation dedicated to providing safe shelter, support and referral services for battered women and their children. Contact Kim, Anna Marie’s Alliance, at 320-251-7203 ext. 210.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or Mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.