Community Action Center of Northfield

The Community Action Center, in partnership with South Central College, will offer classes for those interested in becoming a certified nursing assistant.  Classes will be offered from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning September 14 and ending in December.  The tuition is waived for CAC clients.

An orientation will be held on August 16 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at Three Links Care Center, 815 Forest Avenue in Northfield.  For more information or to sign up for the orientation, call the CAC at 664-3550 or Bob Kell at 507-333-5036.

We are fortunate that many in our community want to help the clients of the CAC in tangible ways.  Here are just a few ways that individuals or groups can help:

        Birthday bags:  Create a bag that includes items a parent needs to host a child’s birthday party.  It may include a cake mix, party plates and napkins, and party favors.

            Camper kits:  The kids we send to camp need sleeping bags, beach towels, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

            Hygiene kits:  Make a personal hygiene kit for those staying in our homeless shelter.  Items such as combs, toothbrushes, and shampoo are needed.

            Quilts and Afghans:  Sew or knit quilts or afghans that each family is given at Christmas Sharing.

            Reusable grocery bags:  Sew fabric bags that foodshelf customers can re-use each month.

            If you or your work, church, or school group is interested in helping in these ways or, if you have another idea, please contact us!

The Community Action Center has received a grant from the Pohlad Family Foundation to send kids 8-15 years old to overnight camps.  Children can learn outdoor survival skills, boat, swim, ride a horse, learn a language, or make new friends all while having lots of fun.

Popular summer camps fill early, so contact us to find out more!

If your group or organization would like to help equip our campers with camp gear such as sleeping bags, beach towels or flashlights, please contact us!

Northfield is a wonderful community in which to live and work. We have been blessed with a wealth of talent, wisdom and riches. But we also must face the sad reality that many of our neighbors need our help.

In 41 years of community service experience, the economic needs of our neighbors have never been greater. Today, the Community Action Center of Northfield is working with more people who are in need of food than we have previously witnessed. Today, we are serving people who have lost jobs and are struggling to support their families. Today, the resources of the Community Action Center are stretched thinly because of the economic climate around us and the growing needs of our neighbors.

Northfield Senior Center promotes MN Food Share by its Food Tree

This month, the Community Action Center is participating in the statewide FoodShare campaign, a collection drive that is especially important because of the current economy and its impact on more and more of our acquaintances, family members and friends. We are asking those who are able to give generously to the Community Action Center of Northfield to help our neighbors in need.

There are many people among us who do not have the assurance of knowing when or where their next meal will be, but the Community Action Center provides them with hope and sustenance. Every month in Northfield, more than 350 families look to us for nutritious meals. Every week in Northfield, 7,250 pounds of food are provided to those families.

Scouts and Fire & Rescue collect food

There is so much that we have accomplished. But, too, there is so much more that needs to be done. Together, we can provide the assurance our neighbors need so that they don’t need to worry about having enough to eat. We can’t rest on the presumption that this happens on its own. Together we’ll reach our goal of raising $130,000 and/or collecting 130,000 pounds of food.

Thank you for your continued support and all your help!