St. Joseph Farmers’ Market held Friday at Resurrection
The St. Joseph Farmers’ Market will be held again from 3-6 p.m. Friday, March 18 in the fellowship hall of Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 CR 2, St. Joseph. The market will feature plenty of locally produced goods from local vendors. For more information, head to www.stjosephfarmersmarket.com.
Jaycees to host annual Easter Party
The St. Joseph Jaycees will host its annual Easter Party at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 26 at All Saints Academy for children from birth through first grade. Admission is free. The event includes pictures with the Easter Bunny, crafts, toys, candy grab and giveaways. For more information, email stjosephjayceesmn@yahoo.com.
Compost site now open
The St. Joseph Compost Site is now open for the season from 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Permits for St. Joseph City and Township residents may be purchased at city hall. St. Wendel Township and St. Cloud city residents may also purchase permits at a non-residential fee.
Community Showcase slated for April 2
The St. Joseph Community Showcase, sponsored by the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 2 at Kennedy Community School, 1300 Jade Road, St. Joseph. Local retail, commercial, educational and service organizations will have booths to visit. Food, entertainment and children’s games will also be featured.
Empty Bowls to be held March 20
Empty Bowls, sponsored by Place of Hope again this year, will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 20 at Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud. This soup feed and silent auction benefits Place of Hope Ministries and Anne’s Meal Fund which provides more than 7,200 meals a month to those in need. The event includes music, soup, bread and desserts from area restaurants as well as a homemade bowl to take home thanks to Art as You Like It and Central Minnesota Woodcrafters. For more information, head to www.placeofhopeministries.org/events/empty-bowls.
Free Girls 360 group aims to raise self-esteem
Girls 360, a group that aims to boost girls’ self-esteem, ages 13-17, and help them deal with life challenges begins at 4 p.m. Monday, March 21 at the Village Family Service Center, 4140 Thielman Lane in St. Cloud. The six-week course will educate the adolescent girls on issues such as self-esteem, relationships, assertiveness and more. It’s also designed to be a place to connect with other girls who might not be in their peer group, providing support and helping them feel connected. Participants will hear from speakers including a female police officer and a marketing professional and will also have time to engage in discussions led by the group’s facilitators. To register, call 320-253-5930.
Free girls lacrosse clinic offered in Richmond
Girls in grades seventh through 12th can attend a free lacrosse clinic from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 21 at the River Lakes Civic Arena, 319 Central Ave. S. in Richmond. Equipment will be available, and a brief introductory and practice session will be held for players new to the sport. Contact Jen Kuhlman at kuhlman23059@aol.com for further questions.
CentraCare events celebrate Women’s History Month
In observance of March as Women’s History Month, CentraCare Health hosts Duchess Harris, JD, PhD, who will inspire, encourage and motivate listeners during her No Limit On My Sky presentation from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 in Hoppe Auditorium at St. Cloud Hospital. Harris is an African American academic, author and legal scholar. She is professor and chair of American Studies at Macalester College in St. Paul. Among her writings is the book, Black Feminist Politics from Kennedy to Obama. No Limit On My Sky focuses on Harris’ journey and achievements, her support system and how she has triumphed amidst life’s challenges. Park in the North lot or visitors ramp.
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Man Up Minnesota
Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking to recruit 100 Men in 100 days. By April 9, they need 100 men to volunteer as Big Brothers. There are currently 80+ boys on their waiting list with the majority of them who want and need a male mentor in their life. The number continues to grow. Guys, they are asking you to Man Up and be a mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters is not minimizing the powerful role women play as role models. In fact, women make up approximately 65 percent of the active matches in Central Minnesota and more than 75 percent of prospective volunteers are women. We hope you will join us in asking your male friends, associates and family members, to “Man up.” Contact Rachel Johnson, Big Brothers Big Sisters recruiter, at 320-258-4537.
Customer service assistant
Do you enjoy meeting new people and working alongside other volunteers? Join the ReStore team and serve Habitat for Humanity’s mission that everyone deserves a decent place to live. Volunteer customer service assistants greet customers and donors at the store, answer questions and help find merchandise. Volunteers will also place and price items on the sales floor. Volunteers should have the ability to stay on their feet for two to three hours and possess great interpersonal skills. No construction experience is needed. Contact Eileen Bitzan, ReStore volunteer manager, at ebitzan@cmhfh.org or 320-241-4643.
March is Food Share Month
March is Food Share Month in Minnesota where donations are matched throughout the month. During this time of significant economic distress, many area families are using local food shelves more than ever before. Consider leveraging the match by running a food drive within your work place, church or service club and donate to your local food shelf, Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4560, C.R.O.S.S. Center of Benton County at 320-968-7012 or the Salvation Army at 320-252-455.
Antiques assessor
Assist with inspecting ThriftWorks! donations to determine the condition and value of antiques. Access the internet or printed antique appraisal materials to determine the value of items. WACOSA asks for a four-hour/month minimum commitment, which may be completed in two, two-hour shifts. The day/time you are scheduled may vary according to your availability and the needs of our organization. This volunteer position is available between 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. *Previous antiques assessing experience is preferred but not required. Contact Andrea Harrell, WACOSA volunteer coordinator, at 320-257-5188.
Compassionate volunteers
CentraCare Health Hospice Program is seeking men and women who are interested in volunteering. They are currently looking for volunteers in Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, Foley, Milaca, Monticello, Becker, Paynesville and the surrounding areas. If you are a person who has the compassion and desire to serve the dying by helping them live their final weeks and months to the fullest, contact Sherry Rausch, CentraCare Hospice volunteer specialist, at 320-240-3276.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or Mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
