April 2026

Over ten years ago, then Executive Director Michelle Rageth, planted a seed at Friends in Need Food Shelf. Her idea of thanking donors has now blossomed into a beautiful tree covered with multi-colored leaves and spanning multiple walls. In 2025 alone, more than 400 leaves enscribed with donor names were added. We are grateful to all our donors for their generosity and continued support. Donations are recognized on our giving tree as follows:

• Gold Leaf - $100 - $999
• Large Copper Leaf - $1,000 - $4,999
• Small Rock - $5,000 - $9,999
• Large Rock - $10,000+

If you'd like to help us branch out, click on the link below. All individual donations meeting the levels above will be recognized at the end of the year!

Donate Now!

(Don't forget to ask if your company will match!)

Creating Connections at the 21st Annual Community Showcase - Join us there!

On April 25, 2026 over 70 community businesses and organizations will showcase their offerings at the Community Showcase. Join us at the Park High School Activity Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a day filled with discovery and connection. This event is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the invaluable resources available to you, your family, and friends by Friends in Need and other local organizations. Be sure to stop by the FiN booth to discover how you can make a difference in our community and enter a drawing for a chance to win a one-night stay at Great Wolf Lodge^® - Bloomington!

MN FoodShare March Campaign

As the MN FoodShare March campaign comes to an end, we thank our many generous donors for their contributions! With your help we collected over $50,000 for which we will receive a partial match from the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. This collective effort highlights the power of community and reinforces our shared commitment to meeting the needs of our friends and neighbors. Together, we are making a significant impact, and we couldn’t have done it without every one of you. Thank you for supporting our mission of ending hunger in our communities!

Dining to Make A Difference!

During the month of March, FiN saw an increase in need:

• Served 1,414 Households, for a weekly average of 283 households.
• Experienced a 6% increase in average weekly number of households, with numbers reaching a peak of 347 the final week of March.
• Provided food and goods to 6,520 individuals, 38% of which were children and 7% were seniors.
• Distributed 118,524 pounds of food, toiletries, and other goods, averaging 23,705 lbs, per week for an increase of 5% over February.

With need continuing to increase, we have seen changes in the households we serve:

• Average size of household has increased from 3.8 to 4.6 members since February.
• There has been a 14% increase in the number of households with more than 5 members.
• The total number of households with children increased by 9% since last June.
• The total number of households with seniors increased by 6% since last June.

Friends in Need has been supporting the community with community support since 1992!

• We primarily serve households in St. Paul Park, Cottage Grove, Newport, and Grey Cloud Island, however our clients come from all over the metro. We turn no eligible person in need away!
• We are 99% volunteer operated, with over 125 individuals donating their time each week in service to the community.
• More than 50% of our operating budget comes from community donations and grants.