St. Cloud Organization Joins Statewide Push to Kick Hunger This Summer

(KNSI) – A St. Cloud organization is stepping into the ring to help combat food insecurity across central Minnesota.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud has announced its participation in the 16th annual Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge. The challenge offers matching grant funds to Minnesota food shelves throughout July to combat hunger and food insecurity.

The theme for the 2026 challenge is Kicking Hunger Together, which ties directly into the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Eric Vollen, emergency services program manager for Catholic Charities’ food shelf, said the theme is meant to represent teamwork. This teamwork, he said, comes from donors, volunteers and neighbors working together to tackle hunger and food insecurity.

Vollen said the challenge is especially important because summer is one of the hardest times of the year for families facing food insecurity. “Last year, our food shelf served nearly 21,000 individuals, which was a 17% increase from the previous year. When school is out, families lose access to school meals. We see more people turning to the food shelf during that time. Donations also slow down, so the need rises while support goes down.”

Through the challenge, every dollar donated in July will help the food shelf qualify for a proportional matching grant of up to $4,000. The organization raised nearly $31,000 last July and received $1,000 in matching funds through the challenge. “It shows just how much this community cares about making sure neighbors have enough to eat,” Vollen said.

The food shelf’s goal for this month is $25,000. Vollen said he expects the community to step up once again to help meet or exceed that amount.

Those interested in donating can do so through the Catholic Charities website. Donors must indicate “Food Shelf Summer Challenge” in the gift designation when submitting.

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