Other Support
At CAER, we do more than provide groceries. We’re here to support our neighbors in meaningful, practical ways. In addition to offering healthy food at no cost, we also offer other programs and resources to help meet everyday needs.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Life can change quickly. A job loss, medical emergency, or unexpected expense can make it difficult to keep up with bills. Some households may not qualify for government assistance yet still face financial strain. Emergency financial assistance from CAER helps prevent a temporary crisis from turning into something more serious, offering support with rent or utilities when it's needed most.
Seasonal Support
Throughout the year, we offer programs to help with essential needs that arise seasonally, like school supplies to help kids start the year strong and winter coats for staying warm. These programs change based on community donations and availability, and we’ll always do our best to connect you with what you need.
School supplies will be distributed by appointment on August 19. Students must reside in Elk River, Otsego, or Zimmerman and be in grades K-12. To schedule an appointment, visit:
https://7qnxtl2oii.timetap.com/
Additional Community Resources
If we are unable to provide help or information directly, there is likely someone in the area who can. We’re here to support you with care, compassion, and respect.
Additional Food Support
Local resources for other food programs:
- Fare For All. This nonprofit discount grocery program is open to everyone.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. Serving Sherburne County and Wright County, this supplemental food program provides nutrition assessment and education, healthcare referrals, and more to new and expectant mothers, babies, and children.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP helps individuals and families get the food they need using an EBT card to buy groceries at most stores.
- Market Bucks. Get more fresh, healthy food with Market Bucks, which triple your SNAP/EBT at participating farmers markets.
- Summer EBT. This food support program provides families with funds to buy food for eligible school-age children during the summer months.
- Second Harvest Heartland. Get help finding additional food resources through this hunger-relief organization.
Financial Resources
- Foreclose Prevention—Minnesota Homeownership Center works for free with homeowners and mortgage lenders to develop payment solutions and avoid foreclosure.
- Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) through Tri-CAP is a matched savings program that helps low-wage earners in Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties build assets and achieve their financial goals.
- Tri-CAP Energy Assistance Program helps eligible households in Benton, Stearns, Sherburne, and Morrison counties with home energy costs.
- WCCA Energy Assistance Program provides utility bill support to income-eligible households in Wright County.
- Mid Minnesota Legal Aid offers no-cost civil legal assistance to low-income earners and anyone 60 or older living with a disability.
Transportation Resources
For those without a vehicle, there are local organizations that offer low-cost or no-cost transportation in and around the community.
- Tri-CAP Transportation offers bus service to the public, with no age or income requirements.
- Faith in Action provides seniors with transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, and more.
- Loving Hands is a woman-owned, non-emergency medical transportation service.
Other Area Food Shelves
Many other local communities have food shelf programs available to help alleviate hunger.
- Big Lake Community Food Shelf serving the Big Lake community.
- Hanover Area Food Shelf serves Albertville, St. Michael, Hanover, and parts of Loretto and Corcoran.
- Monticello Help Center serves the Monticello community.
- Passing the Bread offers monthly food distribution in Zimmerman and Princeton.
- Wright County Community Action serves all Wright County residents.
- ACBC Food Shelf serves Anoka, Andover, Champlin, Coon Rapids, Nowthen, and Ramsey.
- CROSS Services serves Rogers, Dayton, Corcoran, Hassan, Maple Grove, and Champlin.
- Second Harvest Heartland provides help finding a food shelf in your area, along with additional food resources.
Pet Care Resources
We understand the emotional connection to pets. They are, after all, part of the family. Pet care can be expensive, which is why MN SNAP (Spay Neuter Assistance Program) offers low-cost spay and neuter surgeries as well as vaccinations for dogs and cats through its mobile clinic.
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