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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.
Fire and Fall Prevention Home Visits
The Cottage Grove Fire Department provides fire and fall prevention home visits to residents aged 65 and older. Visits include health screenings and examining the home for fire and fall hazards. Fire and fall prevention home visits can help seniors stay in their homes longer by promoting a safe living environment. Learn more and schedule a visit.
Family Means
Family Means offers respite care, caregiver support groups, caregiver coaching/counseling, educational programs and many other senior and senior support programs. Learn more about the programs that Family Means offers by visiting their website.
SoWashCo Community Education
SoWashCo Community Education offers a variety of services, activities, trips and educational programming for seniors in a safe and welcoming environment where social engagement thrives. Learn more about their senior programs at their website.
Cottage Grove Bus LOOP
The City of Cottage Grove has partnered with DARTS to provide a bus loop to serve the growing senior population in the city. The bus loop runs every Tuesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. making four 1-hour rounds. Riders must let the driver know where they would like to go once boarding the bus.
Senior Center
The SoWashCo Schools Community Education provides programming for adults that meet the social, educational, health and human service needs of people 50 and over.
Whether you are ready to play a game of cards, discuss a book, exercise, or attend local trips and tours, there is something for you at the SoWashCo Schools Community Education.
Food Support for Seniors
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP):
Low-income seniors age 60 and above can apply to receive a monthly box of nutritious food.
Optage Senior Dining Choices
Senior Dining Choices provides home-delivered meals to seniors and adults with disabilities throughout the 7 county Twin Cities area. Meals are available through private pay, waiver programs and other subsidized programs depending on qualification. Eligible seniors may register and order meals by calling (651)746-8280 or emailing orders@optagedining.org.
DARTS
DARTS is a nonprofit organization that has provided personalized and professional services for older adults and their loved ones for over 45 years. They have many services available to residents in the Cottage Grove area such as transportation options and home services. Visit their website or contact DARTS at 651-455-1560 or info@darts1.org for available services.
Utility Assistance
- Community Action’s Energy Assistance Program helps thousands of families in Ramsey and Washington counties pay their energy and water bills. For more information, visit the Community Action Partnership website, call 651-645-6470 or email EAP@caprw.org.
- Energy CENTS Coalition has programs to help people who are income qualified with paying their utility bills, replacing a furnace or water heater, and more. Visit their website, call 651-774-9010, or email ECC@EnergyCents.org. You can also view some information sheets here and here.
Transit Resources
Visit our transit information page for a list of transit options.
GoWashington
GoWashington is a one stop transportation resource for Washington County. Visit their website for transportation options available to Cottage Grove residents.