Basic Needs Inc., the locally operated thrift store in Cottage Grove has expanded to offer more services for those in need in the region. Basic Needs Food Pantry is now open at 8475 E. Point Douglas …
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Basic Needs Inc., the locally operated thrift store in Cottage Grove has expanded to offer more services for those in need in the region. Basic Needs Food Pantry is now open at 8475 E. Point Douglas Road, Suite 106 in Cottage Grove behind Burger King and Merchants Bank.
Basic Needs Food Pantry is a 4100 square foot location with a fairly open layout. It includes a well-stocked set selection of grocery items including some staple stuff you see in the grocery store. 80 percent of the food in the pantry is rescued from local businesses. There are no eligibility requirements, so anyone can utilize the food pantry.
“The mission of the organization is to uplift those in the community who have encountered hardships by providing barrier free access to basic needs via their fresh food market, which is what we have here, in partnership with Open Cupboard of Oakdale and much like their version of Today's Harvest Market. The Basic Needs Food Pantry is designed to address food insecurities with a walk in, welcoming, dignity based and choice focus food program. There are no strings attached,” explained Mayor Bailey.
Much of the food is donated locally from Cub Foods, HyVee, Target and Walmart along with some restaurants and catering businesses in the area. That means perfectly good food is not being thrown in the trash. They also acquire food from Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank.
Just like the thrift store, the staff at the food pantry can assist folks on a one-on-one basis. Food specific needs can be discussed around things like culturally specific foods and other unique needs.
In a typical month, Basic Needs rescues and distributes more than 30,000 pounds of food to more than 1500 households across 46 different zip codes, making them a regional asset.
The pantry is open Mon-Fri 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
