CROSS Services News

CROSS is in need of volunteers for a special project.
CROSS has many Gaylords of non-perishable food that needs to be sorted into boxes of like kinds of items. High school age students and up are encouraged to volunteer, but individuals must be able to go up and down stairs. For more information or to volunteer, contact Pat Schwalbe, Director of Volunteers & Community Engagement at Pat@CROSSservices.org

Please grab a bag or two and fill and return next week. This March we are joining churches and business across MN in acting to end hunger and food insecurity. Please pick up a bag this weekend while at church or fill your own bag with nonperishable items for CROSS. Items most needed are ( can you include the graphics from the item we are attaching to the bag. )You can also make a donation to CROSS to have your dollars stretch further. Over 3,000,000 visits are made to MN food selves each year. 1 in 8 children in MN struggle with hunger. Thank you for supporting your fellow community members.
When you pick the food of your land at gathering time, do not pick all the way to the corners of your field. And do not gather the food left on the ground there after you have picked. Do not gather what is left among your vines, or gather the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for those in need land for the stranger. Leviticus 19:9-10.

March is MN FoodShare Month!
In an effort to stock food shelves for the upcoming summer months when food needs are high and food donations are at their lowest, people across the state are joining together for the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, a month-long campaign for food shelves to help hungry families in Minnesota. This year, local food shelf, CROSS Services has a stretch donation goal of $160,000 and 160,000 pounds of food. Between March 1 and April 7, individuals, businesses, schools, civic groups, congregations, and organizations are encouraged to help local families by collecting food and funds for CROSS. During the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign, a percentage of food and monetary donations received in March is matched. Thank you in advance for your generosity in sharing financial resources as well as food with CROSS. 

EMPTY BOWLS: 
Each year in March, CROSS has its Empty Bowls. This is the 14th year and it is on March 7th from 4pm to 7pm at MGCC. Open House format – Come when you’d like and stay as long as you’d like. Music, food samples from local restaurants, and the opportunity to purchase one of a kind pottery made by local artists and the community. The cost is $10 per person, $5 per student, or $25 per family.

Meals on Wheels has a need for drivers to deliver meals in Maple Grove, Osseo, Rogers and Dayton. Volunteers may sign up for weekly, bi-weekly or monthly driving assignments. Meals are picked up at CROSS in Rogers and delivered to 6-10 clients. The total time commitment is approximately 1-1/2 hours. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Please contact Brenda Snell at CROSS if interested in this opportunity at 763-267-5182.

Struggling to Make Ends Meet? CROSS has added a new Mobile Food Pantry. Come to MapleRidge Church the 3rd Monday of every month from 5-8PM. MapleRidge Church is located at 13400 Maple Knoll Way. CROSS is also open until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday’s at the Rogers location. Questions call Giannina at 763-425-1050.

CROSS Services is twenty area churches working together to try and reach out to the needs of the hurting in our local community. They distribute food, clothing and other essentials as available to them. You can help by providing food, good clean clothing, sorting clothing or restocking the food pantry. 

CROSS is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 p.m. 

Food/Clothing Shelf Hours

Mon: 9:00 AM – 3:00 p.m.
Tue: 12:00 PM – 7:00 p.m.
Wed: 9:00 AM – 3:00 p.m.
Thu: 12:00 PM – 3:00 p.m.
Fri: 9:00 AM – 2:00 p.m.

Food donations can be placed in the baskets located in either gathering space. Clothing must be taken directly to CROSS. Financial assistance available also.

CROSS Services provides the following services:
Food shelf – Families choose food best suited to their needs in a grocery store type setting. CROSS Services provides fresh produce, bread, frozen and shelf stable foods (10-15 days of food per month; average 28 pounds per person). 

Clothing and Household Supplies – The clothing program is a shopping model in which families choose items best suited to their needs at prices low enough to be very affordable ($.50 per pound), Free vouchers are available through case worker staff.

Meals on Wheels – For a small fee, hot meals are delivered to participants homes Monday – Friday.

Peace of Mind Housing Fund – For many years, CROSS Services has provided financial assistance to families to stay in their home or to secure stable housing. In 2013, CROSS Services renamed its housing assistance program, Peace of Mind Housing, as the support it offers to local families brings peace of mind regarding housing concerns during times of crisis. Contact CROSS Services at 763-425-1050.