March is MN Food Share Month, Donate to your local food shelf
March is Minnesota Food Share Month The effects of hunger for an individual or family can range from poor health and slowed recovery from injury or illness to poor performance at school or work. During 2015, Semcac Food Shelves in Rushford, Preston, Caledonia, and Kasson had 8,215 visits from 1,388 households and distributed 378,046 pounds of food. Clients are also provided with information and referral to other community services. During March the annual statewide FoodShare campaign promotes the collection of food and funds to stock the state’s food shelves. As an official participant in the Minnesota FoodShare campaign, Semcac’s Food [...]
Seeking Consumer Board Member, Freeborn County
Semcac is actively looking for a consumer board member in Freeborn County to be part of the Semcac Board of Directors. Being part of this dynamic group presents an opportunity to enhance leadership skills, diversify personal and professional networks, and contribute to empowering people in Southeast Minnesota. Consumer board members can be Semcac clients/customers. The current board consists of committed individuals who enjoy participating in their communities and having an impact on the Agency’s direction. They are responsible for ensuring that Semcac fulfills its mission and maintains its financial health. The board oversees performance, establishes strategic goals, and leads the [...]
Semcac Food Shelf Receives Funds from America’s Farmers Grow Communities
Semcac’s Dodge County Food Shelf, located in Kasson, received a fund allocation of $2,500 from a local farmer/grower via the America’s Farmers Grow Communities Grant distributed by the Monsanto Fund. The funds will be dispersed to the food shelf in March of 2016. We are very grateful for this generous contribution to help those in need residing in this rural area of the state. Semcac, a nonprofit community action agency, operates four food shelves in Fillmore, Houston and Dodge Counties. In Fiscal Year ‘15, the Dodge County Food Shelf provided assistance to 1,850 people from 572 households. These individuals visited [...]
Head Start & Foster Grandparent Program Form Partnership
The Foster Grandparent Program of Lutheran Social Services of MN is partnering with Semcac Head Start to enroll retiree volunteers to serve in their LaCrescent, Caledonia and Preston Head Start classrooms. The Foster grandparent Program, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary is part of the National Senior Service Corps and is administered locally by Lutheran Social Services. Foster Grandparent volunteers play an important role in the classroom by providing a nurturing environment. Their wisdom and life-long knowledge offers a background of experience which helps to develop social skills and encouragement that prepare preschoolers to enter kindergarten with confidence. Volunteers must [...]
Car Repair Program, begins in 2016 Steele, Dodge, Waseca
Thank you for your patience, the car repair program will be launched in the next several weeks, likely in February of 2016. Outreach & Emergency Assistance Services are offering a new car repair program in 3 counties. Semcac is partnering with the Minnesota Prairie Alliance to provide a car repair program to income eligible households with one or more children, ages 1 – 18 years. The program is available for persons living in Dodge, Steele or Waseca counties. Households qualify if they earn 200% or less, of the federal poverty level. This program begins in January 2016. Please contact the appropriate office [...]
Vote for Semcac Food Shelves, Swipe Out Hunger on Facebook, Nov 30 – Dec 10
Semcac has the opportunity to receive money from Merchants Bank’s Swipe Out Hunger campaign, which will run November 30 through December 10. Merchants Bank will donate a nickel to Swipe Out Hunger every time a Merchants Bank credit card or debit card is used between those dates, up to a total of $10,000. Supporters of the Semcac can vote three times a day at the Merchants Bank Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MerchantsBank. At the end of the giveaway, the food shelf with the most votes will receive the top donation prize of $5,000. All remaining participating food shelves will receive a percentage [...]
Donor Matching Challenge through Dec. 15
Exciting news! Our generous friends at Bell Lumber & Pole Co. have offered Semcac donors a matching gift challenge! Up to $30,000 will be matched, dollar for dollar, until December 15th from new donors or donors who have increased their gift from last year. The amount matched (up to $30,000) will be utilized for Semcac services in Freeborn County. Please consider donating by Dec. 15th so your donation will double the impact in southeastern Minnesota. Read a letter from our friend at Bell Lumber & Pole Co, expressing their support of Semcac's mission and program work. You can also read a [...]
Sr Nutrition Community Days Fundraiser, $5 Coupon Booklets
Semcac Senior Nutrition is selling $5 coupon booklets for the "Community Days" fundraiser. The coupons may be used at participating Bon-Ton stores (such as Herberger's and Younkers) from November 11-14, in stores and online. The booklet has a $10 off $10 purchase, 30% off online purchase with free shipping, and several exclusive deals. Purchase the coupon booklet online or contact Gail Schwanbeck at Semcac in Rushford (507-864-8230) before Nov. 10th. 100% of the $5 purchase goes to Semcac Senior Nutrition--helping seniors obtain well-balanced, nutritious meals and offering means of socialization in 11 southeastern MN counties. Contact Darlene in if you have [...]