Food for Thought: FIN News

Providing food and resources to those in need

November 2021

A Message from the Executive Director

Holiday Train is Virtual Again This Year

Even though the physical train won’t arrive, we hope that you will keep Friends in Need in mind as you consider donations. The Holiday Train makes up a very large part of our budget, and we are still hoping to meet our goal of $90,000.

https://www.finfood.org/donate.htm l

After serving clients outside at the curb for over a year because of COVID, we are now allowing clients to shop inside once again, and select all the food for their families. They are thrilled, and our volunteers love having the client interaction again!

Our Thanksgiving and Christmas programs are coming up as well. Only clients in our service area qualify for these, but they are still expensive for the food shelf, so donations are greatly appreciated. We couldn’t serve our community without your generous support!

We also are looking for volunteers! We already have a large recycling program, but we want to start an organics recycling program. If anyone is interested in helping in that area, please give us a call for details. We also can use regular volunteers on Mondays between 12:00-2:30, and on Tuesdays any time between 7:30-4:30. Please call us at (651)458-0730 to discuss your interests and availability.

FILL UP A FIRE TRUCK - DONATION DRIVE-

THROUGH

Please join us for this "drive-through" event at Hamlet Park in Cottage Grove on December 11 from 10:00-12:00 to "Fill Up a Fire Truck." We'll be collecting CASH donations benefiting Friends in Need Food Shelf. Paper towels and toilet paper will also be accepted. (No food items please!)

Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance!

ONLINE AUCTION

This year, because of COVID, we are having an online auction again. To shop the virtual auction (November 29-Dec 10), visit: www.32auctions.com/CGHolidayTrain21. Items purchased from our virtual silent auction will also be available for pick up at Hamlet Park on December 11 between 10:00-12:00.

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Video Tour

If you've ever wanted to take a tour or wondered what a visit to our food shelf would be like, we invite you to view this short (4 minute) video.

https://www.finfood.org/videotour.html

Donate Stocks and IRAs to Friends in Need

A Return on Investment Like No Other

More people are choosing to donate Stocks or their IRA Required Minimum Distributions directly to FIN. This option eliminates paying taxes on those withdrawals and helps FIN feed those who are hungry in the community. Interested donors can contact Michelle to discuss their plans and facilitate the transfer. You can also visit the Donate page on FIN’s website to print off a Stock Donation Form.

You can either email it to Director@finfood.org or mail it to:

Friends in Need

P.O. Box 6

Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Feel free to phone Michelle with any questions: (651) 458-0730.

Friends in Need is a nonprofit community-funded food shelf providing food and resources to those in need in the South Washington County communities of Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport, and Grey Cloud Island. Each week we serve around 130 families, providing them with bountiful amounts of fresh produce, meat, milk, eggs, non-perishable food, and toiletries. Friends in Need also functions as a place for people in the community to volunteer their time and talents in service to others.

Our Vision

Improving lives by ending hunger.

Our Mission

Provide food and resources to those in need.

For more information on how you can support or become involved with the Friends in Need Food Shelf, please call Executive Director, Michelle Rageth, at (651) 458-0730 or email her at director@finfood.org

If you would like to contribute to our work in the community, you may send a check to Friends in Need P.O. Box 6, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. Or visit: www.finfood.org to use your PayPal account or your credit card (processed by PayPal).

Thank you!