Friends in Need Food Shelf has been providing food and other necessities to neighbors in Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park and Grey Cloud Island since 1992. With the investments of these communities over the years, the nonprofit organization has been able to maintain their vision of “improving lives by ending hunger.”

Unfortunately, Friends In Need Food Shelf has faced and is facing the unpleasant repercussions resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic. Many of their traditional fundraisers that take place during these months have been impacted. First, the Oktoberfest fundraiser annually held at Hope Glen Farm was cancelled entirely. Then, the Spaghetti Dinner that occurs around the time of the Holiday Train needed to be called off. Additionally, the Friends In Need Food Shelf is not anticipating the “thousands of pounds” of donated toiletries that result from the 10 Days of Giving hosted by local schools.

“This year has been very difficult for us,” their Executive Director, Michelle Rageth, expressed.

However, the nonprofit organization is adapting to impediments such as these in order to continue serving their clients. Friends In Need Food Shelf has assembled together safe fundraising activities. Also, they have provided the community with a variety of ways for people to support their initiative.

To begin with, from November 30th to December 11th, a virtual silent auction is occurring in place of the usual Silent Auction and Spaghetti Dinner. Throughout those twelve days, participants can browse through 91 different options on www.32auctions.com/CGHolidayTrain . Among these prizes are gift certificates, beauty sets by MaryKay, children’s most wished-for toys, holiday themed goods, and much more. After scrolling through the products, a person can bid on the products that they desire to have. Finally, victorious bidders can travel to Hamlet Park on December 12th between 10am and 12pm to redeem their well-deserved items.

The second way in which Friends In Need Food Shelf continues to fundraise despite COVID-19 setbacks is through filling up a firetruck! They are counting on residents to pack their vehicles with toiletries (toilet paper, paper towels, napkins) and to have cash prepared, for those things will be accepted. Groceries will be respectfully rejected and should remain at home. This “drive-through” event will be taking place at Hamlet Park on December 12th from 10am to 12pm as well. Social distancing will be enforced to ensure everyone’s safety. Participants should also note that a jolly white-bearded man is expected to make an appearance at Fill Up A Firetruck.

Rageth let The Cottage Grove Journal in on a third way in which citizens of Cottage Grove, Grey Cloud Island, Newport and St. Paul Park can engage with Friends In Need Food Shelf during the most wonderful time of the year.

“We also have our Share the Joy program… Normally, churches, businesses, and individuals “adopt” local children and purchase gifts for them specifically. With COVID, we’ve had to change to mailing out gift cards to the kids who have registered with us, but we are running VERY short of gift cards. We would like to appeal to the public to either donate money online or by mail so we can purchase gift cards, or you can mail $30 gift cards for either Walmart or Target to Friends in Need Food Shelf…This will really help us meet the need for Christmas.” Friends In Need

From Page 1 To joyfully give by mail, gift cards and money should be sent to Friends In Need Food Shelf, P.O. Box 6, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. If online giving is preferred though, that can be completed on www.finfood.org/ donate.

Longer term residents of the area are most likely familiar with the iconic Canadian Pacific Holiday Train that choo-choo’ s through town every year. It serves as a vehicle for Christmas spirit with its abundance of colorful LED lights, music, and goodwill. “The Holiday Train is a community fundraiser that has been coming to Cottage Grove for the past 17 years, and it raises around $120,000 for us each year,” claims Michelle Rageth, the Executive Director of Friends in Need Food Shelf.

Due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this season’s show will appear differently from past ones. Even so, the Christmas spirit will be more than present! “Holiday Train At Home” is an online event that is fully sponsored by Canadian Pacific. Families of the community are invited to log onto Canadian Pacific’s Facebook page on December 12th at 7pm to witness the virtual concert. Additionally, to maintain fundraising traditions, Friends In Need Food Shelf is welcoming donations in two methods. The first option being to write and mail a check. If this is a person’s desired method, they should write the words, “Holiday Train” on the memo line of the check. Then they can address it to Friends In Need Food Shelf, P.O. Box 6, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. Secondly, online giving with a credit card or Paypal account is always welcomed! Granters will need to head to www.finfood. org/donate to file a donation.

With the help of kind-hearted citizens, the Friends In Need Food Shelf will be able to reach their fundraising goal for 2020; $70,000! Contributors should note that just $50 is able to source about 150 meals for neighbors who are at risk of feeling hunger. Nonetheless, any amount is appreciated and guaranteed to make change this holiday season and in the months beyond.

“…We want to thank our community for the amazing support they’ve given us over the past 28 years! We would never be able to do what we do without the support of the individuals, businesses, churches, schools, and corporations who are so generous.”