A Community Lifeline in Changing Times

At Valley Outreach, food access is designed with both dignity and flexibility in mind.

Community members can shop in person once a month, selecting items that meet their needs and preferences. For those seeking more frequent support, drive-up and pickup options are available up to four times a week — no appointment required. These pickups offer a choice of pre-packed boxes based on category, like fresh produce and staple items, ensuring families can access food when they need it most.

“The goal is to make food as accessible as possible,” Tracy explained.

Retail rescue is a critical part of Valley Outreach’s food shelf program, expanding the variety and choice available to families. Through partnerships with local stores, high-quality food is received; items that are overstocked or close to expiration, yet still safe to eat.

For individuals experiencing housing instability or living in motels with limited kitchen access, retail rescue also provides an important source of ready-to-eat food. Fresh prepared items, bakery products, and other convenient foods offer practical, nutritious options for people who may not have access to a stove, refrigerator, or adequate cooking space.

The organization also operates as a SuperShelf, a model it helped pioneer in Minnesota that provides a grocery store-like experience, from fresh produce to culturally relevant foods and dietary options.

“We try to be really robust in what’s available so people can piece together what works for their families,” said Tracy. “While we lean heavily into healthy choices, we’re not the food police, so if you want to take the cookies in the last aisle, have at it, because by the time you get there in the store, you’ll have a full cart of nutritious food.”

During the height of Operation Metro Surge, the community quickly worked together to garner resources for children and families scared to leave their homes. Even elementary children from the local school districts held cereal drives to show their support.

“We saw a dip in the number of clients who were coming in person, but we saw a huge increase in the number of people making donations and signing up to volunteer,” said Director of Communications & Development, Jess Hauser. “So, with those resources that we had from the community, we were able to expand our delivery program to cover all of Washington County.”

Volunteers play a major role in what the organization can do, from stocking shelves to working in StyleXchange and welcoming clients as they enter the parking lot.

“We have so many meaningful community partnerships and relationships across Washington County and Stillwater,” Jess said, “so that we don't ever have to approach an issue or challenge by ourselves. If there is an issue our local funders recognize that they know we cover, they often come to us asking how they can support.”

This is why the organization has been able to operate with minimal government funding — relying on the generosity of private foundations, donors, volunteers and community foundation grants.

Through partnerships with other nonprofits and support from local foundations in Stillwater, Valley Outreach also helped launch a Community Response Fund, providing rental assistance to dozens of families in Washington County during Operation Metro Surge. For many, this meant one less worry during an already overwhelming time, specifically in areas with larger immigrant populations.

Over the years, Valley Outreach has also received support from the Foundation’s Community Sharing Fund to support clients in need of rental assistance.

It is because of this type of collaboration and support that Valley Outreach is ready for the challenges that may lie ahead.

“Preparing for the unknown is super important,” said Tracy. Being able to turn on a dime is what prepared us for food deliveries and will help us be ready for what happens next on the state and federal levels (when it comes to nonprofits).”