Community Resources

Many organizations in Cottage Grove and Washington County have resources for individuals and families in need. Click on the tabs below to explore available resources. 

Friends in Need Food Shelf

Friends in Need is a food shelf serving the communities of Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park and Grey Cloud Island. The food shelf is located in St. Paul Park and is open to shopping by appointment. If you do not have transportation or are disabled, please call the food shelf on Mondays between 12-3 p.m. to discuss delivery options. Learn more at FINFood.org.

Food Shelf Delivery Request

Washington County residents can submit a form to request free food shelf delivery on Monday-Friday. Due to the capacity of food shelfs, there will only be 75 deliveries each day. Sign up early to ensure you can get a delivery.

Open Cupboard

Open Cupboard is located in Oakdale and open to anyone in need of food, regardless of where they live.

Open Cupboard offers drive-up service on Thursdays and Fridays providing produce, meat, dairy, deli items, non-perishable food and non-food items such as diapers, pet food, hygiene items and household items.

Open Cupboard also has two indoor shopping markets called Today's Harvest that are open 6 days a week. The market is designed to provide a 1-2 day supply of food during each visit. 

To learn more about Open Cupboard's food support options, visit OpenCupboard.org.

Saturday Supper Club

SoWashCo CARES coordinates a Saturday Supper Club with community partners. A free meal is offered at various sites every Saturday from 5-6 p.m. The dates and locations of the club are as follows: 

  • 1st Saturday of the month: Basic Needs (445 Broadway Ave, St Paul Park) (through Dec 2022)
  • 2nd Saturday of the month: Newport Lutheran Church (900 15th St, Newport)
  • 3rd Saturday of the month: Light the Way Church (7000 Jamaica Ave S, Cottage Grove)
  • 4th Saturday of the month: The Grove Church (8600 90th St S, Cottage Grove AND 7465 Steepleview Road, Woodbury)
  • 5th Saturday of the month: Bonus partners when available

Follow SoWashCo Cares on social media to be informed of supper clubs at Facebook.com/SoWashCoCares.

Basic Needs

Basic Needs offers several food pantries across South Washington County. The pantries offer free food to those in need. Pantries are restocked daily. 

In Cottage Grove, food pantries are located at the following locations: 

  • Park Grove Library: 7900 Hemingway Ave S. Includes refrigerated items. 
  • The Grove Church: 8600 90th St S
  • All Saints Lutheran Church: 8100 Belden Blvd

Basic Needs also has a food market at 8475 East Point Douglas Rd, Ste. 106. It is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m-6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn more at https://www.basicneedsmn.org/food-market. 

Food Support

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP)

SNAP is a monthly financial benefit that helps purchase healthy food at grocery and convenience stores, farmers markets and online through Walmart and Amazon delivery. Benefits are received through an EBT card, which you can use like a debit card. Find out if you may be eligible for SNAP online or by calling a SNAP Outreach Specialist toll-free at 1-844-764-5513.

Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP)

The Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP) provides state-funded food assistance to legal noncitizens age 50 or older who do not qualify for SNAP because of their citizenship status.

Skoolie

SoWashCo Community Education's Skoolie is in Woodbury, Newport, St. Paul Park and Cottage Grove communities Monday-Thursday during the summer offering free activities and food. All are invited to attend and take part in the fun. Visit their website to see when Skoolie will be in Cottage Grove.

Fare For All

Fare For All is a pop-up grocery store that sells packs of fresh produce and frozen meat at up to 40% off of retail prices. The Cottage Grove pop-up is located at All Saints Church on the first Thursday of every month.  

Washington County Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC is a nutrition and breastfeeding program that helps families eat well and stay healthy. The program gives food benefits to buy healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, proteins, whole grains, cereals, infant foods and more. Learn more at their website or call  651-430-6658 to see if you are eligible. 

To learn more about Minnesota's food support options and eligibility, food shelves, free meals and other resources, call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151.