May 2021 | Newsletter
COVID-19 Update
Starting Monday, May 17, following CDC and State of MN guidance, we will no longer require masks or require people to follow social distancing recommendations in the building or on our grounds. We understand that people have varying comfort levels with this change. If people wish to wear masks, they are welcome to do so and we respect that. We're still working on our plans to re-open our building. We are excited to share some things we've been working on while we've been closed. We'll keep you updated as plans progress.
Advocating for Our Community
Valley Outreach works closely with trusted partner organizations to advocate for policy changes that will improve the lives of the people we serve. If you're interested in learning more about some of the Minnesota policies that affect our community members, we recommend the following organizations:

This group works to end hunger in our state. We take action to assure food security for all Minnesotans by supporting programs and agencies that provide food to those in need, advancing sound public policy, building grassroots advocacy, and informing and educating critical stakeholders about the status of hunger in Minnesota.

Assets matter. They provide the means to weather the inevitable financial setbacks we all endure while offering hope and opportunity for a better future. They allow individuals and families to work toward financial stability and prosperity.

MABC is a coalition of 140 nonprofits and advocates for policies that remove barriers to asset building, create new opportunities for Minnesotans to build assets, protect those assets from predatory financial deals or scams, and close the unacceptably large racial and cultural disparities that plague Minnesota in many asset building areas.
Learn More: 2019 Minnesota Food Shelf Survey
Results are in from the 2019 Statewide Food Shelf Client Survey conducted by SuperShelf, Minnesota Department of Human Services, and Hunger Solutions MN. This survey contains voices from over 5,500 food shelf clients in 220 food shelves across the state of Minnesota - including Valley Outreach!

Readers should note that data were collected in 2019 just prior to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) and does not reflect the potential impacts COVID-19 has had on food shelf clients and food insecurity.

However, we do know that national data suggests food insecurity has increased since the start of the pandemic, making the data presented in this report even more relevant today as our communities face greater economic and health challenges. This is incredibly important information as we see the deep economic impacts the pandemic is having on families across Minnesota. Read the full reports here and learn what foods clients want from their food shelf, the experiences they value, and the gaps we have to fill as partners in hunger relief.

Thank you to all the food shelves and their clients that participated in this survey!
Plant a Row for Valley Outreach!
We encourage you to grow an extra row of your favorite fruits and veggies this upcoming season to donate to Valley Outreach later this summer and fall. We gladly accept tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, apples, corn, squash - any fresh garden produce!
We're hiring! StyleXchange Manager

Join the Valley Outreach team as the new StyleXchange Manager! This role will support the enhancement and growth of our new social enterprise by overseeing our clothing thrift store while supporting our clients. Check out our job posting for more details. If this role speaks to you and your experience, submit your resume to 
Valley Drug Supports Valley Outreach

Did you know that Valley Drug in Stillwater will donate $50 to Valley Outreach for every person that transfers their prescription to them? We recently received a generous donation of $1,000 from them.
Thank you, Valley Drug! 

Stillwater Motors Raffle for Valley Outreach

Stillwater Motors is hosting a raffle to benefit Valley Outreach featuring a new Akorn Kamado Grill and gift cards to local grocers, Hagberg's Country Market, Brine's Market & Deli and Len's Family Foods. Tickets can be purchased for $5 (cash or check only) at Stillwater Motors.
Let's Make It Better. Together.
Here are some more responses from Valley Outreach clients from the 2019 Minnesota Food Shelf Survey to the question, "Why is the food shelf important to you?"

  • It helps so other bills can be paid instead of paying for groceries.
  • It provides the healthiest part of my diet, and I've become a much better cook since coming here.
  • My food shelf is important to me because I am on a fixed income and sometimes my money runs out and leaves me with no food in between checks so thankful for this food shelf - I do not have to go without food.
  • We don't always have the funds to buy groceries after getting done paying the bills.

These responses highlight the financial issue that buying nutritious food can be for a family. Thanks to our donors we can help people manage their budgets without sacrificing food.
COVID-19 Response Update
Is your building open to the public yet? No, not yet. We've had some big projects underway, including remodeling and expanding our food shelf, while our building has been closed and we need to wrap them up to put our best foot forward. For now, we're continuing to focus on distributing food and clothing through our drive-up service model and providing phone support. We're also accepting food, clothing, and financial donations through a drive-up model on Monday and Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. We look forward to opening our building again soon!
Are you accepting donations? Yes. We're accepting clothing, food and financial donations through a drive-up, no-contact model on Monday and Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. We're also accepting financial donations online and via the mail.
Do you need volunteers? Yes, please! Check out our website for more details. We'll be adding more volunteer opportunities regularly.
Drive-up Service Hours
M/W/F - 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
T/Th - 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Drive-up Donation Hours
M/W - noon to 3 p.m.
Valley Outreach
1911 Curve Crest Blvd. West
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082

Call Us: 651-430-2739