Free food for seniors available
Second Harvest Heartland has a distribution location for the Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors right here in Sartell, Avon and St. Cloud. People in nearby towns are eligible to apply. NAPS provides a 30- to 35-pound box of wholesome food – low in salt and sugar content – that may include canned fruits and vegetables, juice, dry and shelf-stable milk, American cheese, canned meat, peanut butter or dried beans, cereal, rice or pasta.
This food is available to eligible seniors once a month. Eligibility is based on age (60 years and older), household size and income.
NAPS is a USDA program funded through the Farm Bill. Even though there is plenty of food available, the NAPS program is currently underutilized in Minnesota.
All seniors who are interested are encouraged to apply for NAPS. Contact Second Harvest Heartland at 1-800-365-0270 and leave a message that includes your name, phone number and the best time to return the call. An NAPS representative will contact you to assist in completing an application, check program eligibility and provide additional information.
Stearns County to hold auction Oct. 24
Stearns County, in conjunction with the City of Cold Spring, Sauk Rapids Police Department and the Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center, will hold a seized and surplus government property auction on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Stearns County Public Works Department, 455 28th Ave. in Waite Park, near Mill’s Fleet Farm. The selling begins at 9:30 a.m., but the auction is open for people to begin looking at items at 8 a.m.
There are dozens of vehicles and vehicle accessories for sale, such as a tailgate and hitch, motorcycles, snowmobiles, plow truck, semi-tractor, mowers, John Deere cab and bicycles. Bidders will find an assortment of tools, such as a welder, saw, leaf blower, tool boxes and more. There is also a lot of office furniture, such as desks, computers, monitors, keyboards, scanner, copier, TV/VCR, projector, chairs, bulletin board, white board and shelves. And there are many miscellaneous items on the auction block, for example, shop lights, lawn chairs, boat tank, gas cans and much more.
To see the auction flyer or to get more details on the auction, go to the Stearns County website at StearnsCountyMN.gov.
Petra Lutheran holds Trunk-or-Treat Oct. 31
Local kids have the opportunity to trick-or-treat in a safe area on Halloween from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at Petra Lutheran Church, 1049 First Ave. N., Sauk Rapids, when the church hosts a Trunk-or-Treat event. Families from Petra will decorate the trunks of their vehicles with a Bible theme and hand out candy to the kids who drop by. Families are also invited to come inside the church entryway for a free hot drink before heading out to their next stops.
Dedication ceremony set for Mill Art Project
A public dedication ceremony of the Sartell Mill Art Project works will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at Watab Park in Sartell. An open house tour of the art pieces will start at 5:28 p.m. (in honor of the 5/28/12 mill explosion date).
SCSU ‘Halloween Spooktacular’
St. Cloud State University musicians are putting on a “Halloween Spooktacular” for the St. Cloud area with a musical concert and Halloween activities and musical instrument demonstrations Thursday, Oct. 29 in Ritsche Auditorium in Stewart Hall.
The concert by the Wind Ensemble and Campus Band at 6:30 p.m. features a 30-minute children’s portion that includes a medley of Halloween tunes by Danny Elfman, a Frozen sing-a-long and music from Sesame Street and Pixar movies.
After a brief intermission, the Wind Ensemble will perform selections for its upcoming fall tour including Stephen Bulla’s “Rhapsody for Flute and Band” with Professor Melissa Krause.
Children in costume and their families are invited to pre-concert activities at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of Ritsche Auditorium. Volunteers will be on hand to demonstrate musical instruments, distribute Halloween treats and play games.
Admission is free.
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
‘We Are Thankful’ food-packaging event set Nov. 14 at River’s Edge
Kids Fighting Hunger is excited to announce its third annual “We Are Thankful” community-wide food-packaging event on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. This event is designed to give 600+ adults, children and families a chance to help provide some much-needed food to children in Sierra Leone through their partner agency, Children of the Nations. Sierra Leone was devastated by the Ebola outbreak last year and the economic recovery is expected to last at least another two years. Children of the Nations will distribute the food to children through their school programs. Three shifts available to volunteer. Visit www.unitedwayhelps.org to register today. Contact Mary Krippner, United Way of Central Minnesota, at 320-223-7991.
Transportation drivers sought
Tri-CAP expands opportunities for the economic and social well-being of their residents. Qualified volunteers are needed to transport passengers using their own vehicles to medical appointments, social-service appointments, visitations and other needs. The driver will provide rides for passengers as assigned by Tri-CAP within Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties and the surrounding areas. The driver is required to carry automobile insurance as required by Minnesota State Law and to notify the insurance company of the volunteer driving position. A driver must keep all names and information about passengers confidential. Contact Tri-CAP at 320-251-1612.
Catholic Charities seeks volunteers for Share-the-Spirit Program
Catholic Charities Share-the-Spirit Program assists individuals, families or groups wanting to “adopt a family” for Christmas. Families are referred for Share the Spirit by various county, agency and school social workers and case workers based on need. Recipient families may be eligible for Share the Spirit for a maximum of three years. Donors are given basic family demographics (first name, age, sizes and more) and a list of a few needs and wants for each member of their adopted family. Lists are generally distributed in November. Donors then purchase and wrap gifts for their family. Gifts are to be dropped off at the St. Cloud Armory on Dec. 10. Due to the level of need experienced by Share the Spirit families, donors can plan on and are asked to spend at least $60 on gifts and $10 on a grocery gift certificate for each family member. Families of varying sizes are available and in need of adoption. Matching families begins in early November and this is done carefully so that complete and accurate information is provided. All information (including yours) is kept confidential. Contact Catholic Charities Share the Spirit at 320-650-1550 or visit www.ccstcloud.org.
Help hospital patients/guests navigate during construction
Volunteers are needed to help St. Cloud Hospital patients and guests navigate the construction of the Emergency Trauma Center. Volunteers are needed until early 2016. Shifts are available from 6:30-10:30 a.m. and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays, from 5-9 p.m. Mondays and from 6:30-10:30 a.m. Saturdays. Contact CentraCare Volunteer Services at [email protected] or 320-255-5638.
Build a home without lifting a hammer
Do you want to serve the Habitat for Humanity mission that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live? Ever wonder how to build a home without lifting a hammer? The Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity ReStore is the perfect fit for you. Schedule a 30-minute interview to learn more about the ReStore and the volunteer opportunities it offers. Examples: Donation/pick-up bay assistants, sales-floor assistant, cashier, donation truck assistant or volunteer snack provider. No construction experience is necessary. Join the team at ReStore and help build a stronger and happier community. Contact Derek Peterson, ReStore volunteer manager, at 320-241-4643 or [email protected].
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or [email protected].