CAER is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization, located in Elk River MN and serving Elk River, Otsego and Zimmerman families in need of emergency food assistance. CAER was founded in 1979 as a vision of the local ministerial association. Churches, schools, youth groups, civic organizations and businesses have joined hands in a wonderful community effort to help those in need. The CAER food shelf is managed by dedicated staff members and a volunteer Board of Directors.
Mission Statement: CAER provides food and referrals or limited finanical support for basic neccessities to people in our community.
Vision Statement: Hunger is no longer a barrier to the health and well-being of people in our community.
Core Values:
CAER has its foundation in Christian outreach and maintains a strong partnership with faith based organizations.
CAER strives to build collaborative relationships with individuals, businesses, civic organizations and other non-profits in order to better serve our clients and our community.
CAER practices good stewardship of food and financial resources to ensure the greatest benefit.
CAER provides a welcoming environment that respects the dignity of all people.
CAER promotes volunteerism at every level of the organization.
CAER employees, directors, and volunteers consider it a privilege to serve our clients and our community.
CAER - 2011 Annual Report
Get all the facts and figures for CAER's work in 2011. You'll find interesting tidbits including: In 2011, CAER distributed almost 731,292 lbs of food along with kidz kitz to 856 kids (summer meal kits), school supplies for 704 students, Christmas gifts to 728 children and so much more. In 2011, 1647 households were served by CAER.
Download the full report by clicking the PDF document to the right.
Stay connected with CAER! Get the latest news, information about upcoming events, and notes from CAER's director, Jenny, by subscribing to the CAER Connections Newsletter. Look for it quarterly as we attempt to keep everyone apprised of what is going on at CAER. To download the current newsletter, simply click the PDF document to the right.
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive - 5/12/2012Each year the National Association of Letter Carriers holds the nation's largest food drive to combat hunger and in 2012, the drive will be held on Saturday, May 12. On that day, letter carriers collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their postal routes.
Please help by filling up your "stamp out hunger" food bag and giving it to your postal carrier.
CAER Classic Golf Tournament- 6/20/2012 SIGN UP TO PLAY TODAY!!The 5th Annual CAER Classic will be held at the Elk River Country Club (note the NEW LOCATION) with a shotgun start at 12 p.m. This 5th annual tournament include golf, cart, dinner, silent / live auctions, raffles, games, prizes and more!! Register for the 2012 by clicking here.
Paul Martin is the 2012 Golf Tournament Title Sponsor!
This is your opportunity to have a great time while also benefiting the CAER food shelf. CAER provides emergency services such as food and financial assistance to more than 1,500 families from the communities of Elk River, Otsego, Zimmerman, Big Lake and Becker.
At this time CAER is seeking sponsors and donations for our raffles, and silent & live auctions. These donations are crucial to our fundraising efforts at these events! Perhaps you have a hobby or craft? Maybe you make bird houses, quilts, bean bag toss games, jewelry or you have some other talent. Please consider sharing your talent as a donation for one of our fundraisers. CAER is also seeking donations and sponsorship money from businesses as well. Items such as gift cards, merchandise, etc. CAER is a 501 (c) 3 non profit, and all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Want to be a corporate sponsor? Get more info and sign up online by clicking here.
Get ALL the tournament details including sign-up and sponsorship info by clicking here!
FOR DONATIONS
CAER gladly accepts donations of food, products & seasonal clothing during our business hours:
M-W-F 10 a.m.-3 p.m. M & Th night 6-8 p.m.
Just ring the doorbell near the garage door & someone will help you.
Please limit clothing donations to 3 bags of seasonal items.
URGENT NEEDS Mayo Instant Rice Juice Boxed Potatoes Mashed Potatoes Jello Pudding Tampons Kleenex Deodorant Toothbrushes (kids & adults) Paper Towels PAPER GROCERY & RE-USABLE BAGS... PLEASE! **Urgent means that the food shelf is very low or out of stock on these items. We are currently unable to purchase the items so without donations, families will not receive them. We accept any unopened, current-dated, non-perishable food items. Please check with staff if you have perishable donations.
CAER is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. All contributions are tax deductible (as allowed by law).
