October 2026

Dear Friend of FiN,

As fall begins, we reflect on the generosity of our community. These past few months, FiN has been blessed to receive produce through Fresh Earth Farms CSA shares purchased for us by donors. We also welcomed many donations directly from the Newport Giving Garden, local farmers and home gardeners, allowing us to provide fresh vegetables and fruits all summer long. As harvest season ends, we will once again need to purchase produce to provide the nutrition our clients need. We are grateful to everyone for the support they provide year-round in our efforts to fight food insecurity.

For October we shift our focus to broadening our support for the community. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we will be teaming up with Memorial Blood Centers to sponsor a blood drive. We invite you to join us as we host Two Needs - One Drive, an opportunity for you to donate blood to help cancer patients and bring food, toiletries, paper goods or cash to help alleviate the needs of the one-in-five Minnesota households experiencing food insecurity.

In conjunction with Two Needs - One Drive, we will be hosting a Free Community Wellness Fair, open to all with no appointment necessary. Stop by FiN to check your blood pressure, pick up tips on leading a healthy lifestyle, and receive a free therapeutic hand massage. Donations of food, toiletries, paper goods, or cash are welcome, but not required!

We remain grateful for all who support our efforts through volunteering and donations. We definitely could not do all that we do without all of you. Together, we truly are making a difference in our community!

With gratitude,

Crystal Schneider

Executive Director

DONATE BLOOD

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Donated blood helps all sorts of people, especially cancer patients. Cancer treatments often reduce the body's ability to produce healthy blood cells, leading to anemia, increased bleeding risk, and infections. Giving blood is a safe, simple, and significant experience in the fight against cancer. In less than an hour you can save up to three lives!

Minnesota is facing a severe blood crisis, with inventories dropping to less than a two-day supply against a needed five-to-seven-day cushion.

Donate today and share your strength with those in need in your community!

Ready to save lives? Get started now and schedule an appointment!

Double your donation, double the lives saved! Double red cell donations are available

 at your blood drive. You’re the right type if you are O+, O-, A-, or B-.

DONATE FOOD/PAPER GOODS

One in five households (20%) in Minnesota experience food insecurity, meaning they lack regular access to to enough affordable and nutritious food. That meanst 676,920 Minnesotans are facing hunger - 207,830 are children. 

At FiN, we help an average of 280-300 families each week, resulting in a total of almost 15,000 household visits in 2025. 2026 looks to be much the same.

Cuts to federally-funded programs combined with rising costs of food, homes, and healthcare is increasing the need for the services FiN provides

Your donation of non-expired, nonperishable food items, paper goods, toiletries, and cash are critical to our ability to continue our fight against hunger in our community.

Help us in our mission to end food insecurity! Bring a donation when you come to give blood.

Scan the QR Code above to register for your blood donation.

or

click here to:

SCHEDULE A DONATION

Sponsor Code: 5342

Or contact Memorial Blood Centers at (888) 448-3253

Can't donate blood? Scan the QR Code above to make a donation.

or

Check out our list of needed items at:

MUCH-NEEDED ITEMS

or contact FiN at

(651) 458-0730

Partnering for Your Health - October 23rd Free Wellness Fair

In addition to our partnership with Memorial Blood Centers, we are partnering with the Metro State College of Nursing and Health Sciences to bring a Wellness Fair to the community. Stop by FiN between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to take advantage of this opportunity to:

• Visit the blood pressure and pulse screening table for blood pressure and pulse screenings for residents.
• Recieve Diabetes Education prevention and management in easy-to-understand terms
• Learn about healthy childhood topics
• Stop by the nutrition/ hydration table and get nutrition and health tips including how to read food labels
• Recive a therapeutic hand massage
• Get tips on ways to reduce stress and anxiety

Donations of nonperishable food items, toiletries, paper goods, and cash are welcome, but not required. No appointment necessary.

Sharing Our Story

It was a busy summer as FiN participated in a number of community events. At everything from City celebrations, to car shows, to Public Health Fairs, we were able to spread our mission and collect valuable donations, all while connecting with more of our community members. There are still a few opportunities for you to come visit us before the snow flies!

Bring your donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries, paper goods, or cash/check to the FiN booth at the following events:

• St. Paul Park Farmer's Market - St. Paul Park City Hall, from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 6. Stop by our table to pick up a free packet of flower and vegetable seeds and enter to win a complimentary session of Puppy Yoga from Downward Dog Puppy Yoga.
• So. 60 CRUZRS 'Cars in the Park' - Veterans Memorial Park, St. Paul Park, from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m., on the following dates. Stop by our table and enter to win a $25 Duffy's Minoco Gift Card.
• Wednesday, October 7
• Wednesday, October 28

Don't forget to see if your company matches donations!

Our Year at a Glance

• Serving clients in South Washington County with a focus on Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport, and Grey Cloud Island. However, our clients come from all over the Twin Cities 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.

Supporting the community with community support since 1992!

Volunteering at FiN is flexible and fun!

Join our team of FiN-tastic volunteers and sign up for shifts at your convenience. FiN uses the VicNet mobile app for volunteer scheduling. You can choose to volunteer when you want and select from any available open position. If something comes up, simply use VicNet to take yourself off the schedule.

It takes over 125 volunteers each week to allow FiN to deliver an outstanding client experience. New volunteers are always needed and always welcome!