Our Story

Over 50 Years of Impact

We began as a little shed on a hill at St. Joseph’s Church in New Hope, Minnesota.

The shed was stocked with shelf-stable food and other necessities by faith groups in the western suburbs, who were concerned about the needs in their community. Different churches and faith groups came together, recognizing they were stronger in partnership than they were alone.

Today, we have 23 employees, and we provide a dignity-first approach to our services. Our Marketplace Food Shelf allows our program participants to shop for themselves, free of charge.

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Just like our founders, we realized we work better and can provide more good in relationship with each other.

Our housing program provides short and long term support with financial assistance for rent and other household expenses and long-term planning and counseling on how to navigate the rental market. Shop For Change, our thrift store, provides affordable clothing and household items while simultaneously acting as a funding source for our programming.

Many participants’ favorite service we offer is the chance to celebrate children. We provide everything for parents and guardians to throw their child a birthday party - complete with cake and presents. During the winter, we also offer a Holiday Toy Shoppe, and in September we have back-to-school items.

We’re proud of our roots and where we are today, and excited to see where we’ll go from here. Each year with your help, we:

Provide 1,500,000 pounds of food to 8,900 children, adults, and seniors

Help 250 families obtain and maintain stable housing

Supply 300 families with clothes for school and work

Give 1,000 kids school supplies, birthday gifts, and holiday toys

Engage 650 volunteers in 25,000 hours of service