Army receives $362,000 grant from Otto Bremer Trust
Roseville, Minn. – Thanks to a $362,000 grant from Otto Bremer Trust, The Salvation Army is helping families in need across Minnesota. The grant money will be used to support programs that help people in crisis, as well as address basic needs in our communities.
Examples of where grant funds have already been helpful include: A single parent avoided eviction; a family of seven that was sharing a home with another family was able to move into a home for themselves; and a terminally ill parent of two found the help needed to ensure the family’s children are cared for in the future.
“The Otto Bremer Trust has supported The Salvation Army for decades,” explained Col. Robert Thomson, The Salvation Army Northern Division leader. “This grant exemplifies how we are able to partner together to make a real difference in the communities we both call home.”
The Salvation Army distributed the $362,000 grant among the following communities:
- Austin $40,000
- Brainerd $25,000
- Fergus Falls $20,000
- International Falls $32,000
- Mankato $20,000
- Rochester $75,000
- St. Cloud $100,000
- Willmar $15,000
- Minneapolis $35,000
Community Distributions
St. Cloud will direct $100,000 to assist 40 homeless youth and their families. The S.M.A.R.T. (Support and Mentor through Arts, Recreation and Tutoring) Kids program is designed to provide education, social enrichment and character building, created in partnership with St. Cloud State University and other community members.
Fergus Falls and Austin will use their grant dollars to expand staff hours at their Worship and Service Centers. International Falls will add a new position designed to work with and identify community needs. Grant funds will also help serve 24 households to support The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope programs in Austin, Fergus Falls, and Willmar. Pathway of Hope strives to break the cycle of crisis and vulnerability in our communities.
In Brainerd, the grant will help shore up crisis funds for families facing eviction, or other housing emergencies. Funding for Mankato will provide basic needs to individuals and families experiencing crisis.
In Rochester, the money will be used to expand the Caring Partners Adult Day program. This program is licensed by the state of Minnesota and provides daily care to guests 18 years and older. Two new staff members have already been hired, with two more hires in the works to provide additional program stability. The grant will also help pay for additional training for staff and much needed transportation for program participants.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Northern Division has been serving Minnesota and North Dakota communities since 1886. Today the Northern Division serves in all 140 counties of both states, providing food, shelter, clothing, youth programs and other critical services to more than 480,000 people per year. Find us on social at Facebook.com/SalvationArmyNorth and Twitter at @salarmynorth.