Newsletter - June 2021

June 2021 | Newsletter

Moving Forward - Opening our building July 12

Mark your calendars! We’re looking forward to welcoming people back into our building beginning Monday, July 12. We'll be sharing our updated hours early in July on our social media and website.

We've learned a lot in the past year and we're excited to move forward with some changes that improve access to food, clothing, and help to navigate social support programs.

Food Programs

We’ve been gathering feedback from our shoppers to create a better shopping experience.

Shoppers can continue to come as often as they would like and may shop a few different ways starting July 12:

Shop inside our food shelf – Select produce, dairy, protein, pantry staples, and personal care items based on your needs. We've expanded our shopping area and added new coolers/freezers to increase the quantity and variety of food.
Drive-up and order curbside – Similar to our current drive-up food distribution process.
Delivery – Shoppers can call us to schedule delivery to their home (651-430-2739).

Over the next few months, as we wrap up our SuperShelf remodel, we are going to continue to adjust to make it easier to shop.

StyleXchange

Our clothing program, StyleXchange, was open less than two weeks before we closed the building in response to the pandemic. And we are very excited to welcome shoppers back to pick out clothing items. They can also come back as often as they would like. The shopping process will be simplified as we get back up and running. If shoppers prefer having a volunteer shop for them, we’ll continue to offer ordering through an online form.

Client Support Services

We will continue to offer our simplified check-in process via an online form. If folks need help checking in, we’re happy to assist. We are here to help because we know systems for support can be complicated. A lot has changed over the past year for both our clients and with new resources available to help.

Donations

We will continue to accept drive-up donations at our loading dock behind our building during expanded hours. We happily accept non-perishable food, garden gleaned produce, and gently used clothing donations. (For a full list of accepted donations go to www.valleyoutreachmn.org.) Please only drop items off during our scheduled donation times.

Putting the Outreach in Valley Outreach

Valley Outreach and Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf have partnered with the residents of Cimarron to host a mobile food distribution twice a month on Mondays. Valley Outreach provides resource support services for each distribution and food distribution assistance for every other. (We're putting our new truck to good use!)

On June 7, we distributed more than 4,700 pounds of food and served 98 households.

These events are community-led and make it easier for people to get the food and assistance they may need - a perfect alignment with our mission.

Terry MacVey Music at

The Lumberjack - June 24

Looking for something fun to do this week? Check out Terry MacVey Music at The Lumberjack on Thursday, June 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. All tips and donations collected will be given to Valley Outreach! Good music and a good cause. What could be better?

Let's Make It Better. Together.

"Valley Outreach is a wonderful asset in Washington County. Whether you need help or want to help, they are the best place to go."

"This is a very friendly place to come if you are going through a rough time! Also, a very friendly place to volunteer!"

"I love these people. Attentive and awesome!! Most helpful and truly a blessing!!"

These are recent Google reviews of Valley Outreach from clients and a volunteer that warmed our hearts.

COVID-19 Response Update

Is your building open to the public yet? Not yet. We'll be opening our building again on July 12. We'll be sharing our updated hours early in July on our website and social media - stay tuned! For now, we're continuing to focus on distributing food and clothing through our drive-up service model and providing phone support. We're also accepting food, clothing, and financial donations through a drive-up model on Monday and Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m.

Are you accepting donations? Yes. We're accepting clothing, food, and financial donations through a drive-up, no-contact model on Monday and Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. We're also accepting financial donations online and via the mail.

Do you need volunteers? Yes, please! Check out our website for more details. We'll be adding more volunteer opportunities regularly.

Drive-up Service Hours

M/W/F - 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

T/Th - 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Drive-up Donation Hours

M/W - noon to 3 p.m.

Donate Now

Valley Outreach

1911 Curve Crest Blvd. West

Stillwater, Minnesota 55082

Call Us: 651-430-2739