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320-968-7012


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Cross Center of

Benton Co, MN

150 Fourth Ave.

P.O. Box 205

Foley, MN 56329


Mondays:

1pm-4pm, 6pm-8pm


Thursdays:

10am-3pm



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RUBY'S PANTRY


Archives 2013


The CROSS Center is again collecting partially filled Coborns Turkey cards or unstamped Coborns receipts (the whole receipt please).  This is a huge benefit for CROSS, as almost all of the turkeys we give during the holidays come to us through the Coborns Turkey Cards.  Thank you to Coborns for this partnership and to everyone who donates their turkey stamps to us.

            (posted 11-14-13)


The CROSS Center will be selling pies - BAKERS SQUARE PIES - for the holidays! We will begin selling on October 1st and continue through November 4th. Pies will be ready for you to pick up on the Tuesday (Nov. 26) before Thanksgiving. Our goal is to raise $2000. If you would like to purchase a pie, please talk to a volunteer, a Board member or go to one of the many area churches that will be helping us. Thank you!  

           (posted 11-1-13)

  


Give to the Max Day Coming Up on November 14th!






             (posted 11-1-13)


Garden Produce It is that time of year, the gardens are growing!! Here at the CROSS Center we love fresh produce.  Produce should be fresh and brought in at the beginning of the day. It can even be brought in before we are open. We are usually are the busiest the first couple hours that we are open and that would give the fresh produce a better chance of getting to someone’s table while it is still fresh.  Insect of other damaged fruits and vegetables do not move very well. Produce should be reasonably clean. It does not have to be washed, but clumps of dirt should be brushed off.  Thank you!!

(posted summer 2013)

Do you have extra produce from your garden?? Would you like to donate extra prodcue to the CROSS Center??

            (posted summer 2013)


School Supply Drive: Help local students be well prepared for their first day of school by donating supplies at the CROSS Center or at local businesses and churches with drop off boxes in July and August. We are especially in need of the following supplies:

Thanks!

           (posted 8-15-13)


Can this July fly by any faster? Can it be any hotter? Is July a good time to donate to the CROSS Center? We do know  that it is a good time to donate to CROSS. Donations to CROSS are typically low during the summer so the need is great and you will double your donation if donated to CROSS during the month of July. How great is that? The Open Your Heart Matching Grant will match the July monetary donations, which will be used to supply the food shelf. I elect not to talk about the heat but the month is flying by and you will want to act soon. Your check can be mailed to CROSS, or you can use your credit card by clicking the Donate Now  button to the right.

           (posted 7-20-13)


Thank you to everyone who has patiently cooperated with us as we have been unable to accept clothing donations until we could catch up with a backlog. We will now be able to take your donations of clothing again. Families are looking for school clothes for their children and children's clothes will be the biggest need for a couple months. Please bring clothing donations during the open hours and knock on the back door so we can help you unload your boxes and you can help us bring them inside out of the weather. Thank you for your support.

          (posted 7-20-13)


The CROSS Center and Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless announce the Fourth Annual Food Shelf Challenge Grant. Open Your Heart will match donations to CROSS during the month of July, up to $5,000.         

(posted 7-5-13)


July Campaign

The CROSS Center and Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless announce the Fourth Annual Food Shelf Challenge Grant. Open Your Heart will match donations to CROSS during the month of July, up to $5,000. The more funds Foley CROSS Center raises in July, the larger the matching grant from Open Your Heart will be. Minnesota food shelves raised over $1,000,000 last year with this grant and hope to outpace that this year. Often families have to choose between paying for food, utilities, medical expenses, or other necessities. Food shelves, such as the CROSS Center, help families obtain the groceries they are not able to purchase on their own. You can help the CROSS Center obtain the matching grant from Open Your Heart by sending your donations to CROSS Center during the month of July. Thank you so much for giving what you can.


             (posted 7-5-13)


You may have heard on the United Way news release that we have been granted some money  from them. Yes, it is very good news. We will still need to do the fund raisers and usual donations from the community but this United Way money will pay for about 3 months of food from Second harvest. That is a big help for us. Thank you to all of you and everyone who supports CROSS and all that we do in Benton County.

           (posted 7-5-13)


The CROSS Center is looking for some summer replacement volunteers.  Volunteers are especially needed on Monday afternoons and evenings in both the clothing section and the food distribution. Please come in or call during open hours.

          (posted 7-5-13)


A special thank you to Coborns for donating 3,540 pounds of food during the month of June!!

           (posted 7-5-13)


Mark your calendars. We will be hosting another cookout on August 16th at the Foley Locker. Show your support from  11-2.

           (posted 7-5-13)


The March Campaign

       There has been lots of talk around Minnesota about how cold March has been this year. That may be true on the thermometer, but the CROSS Center has seen lots of warm support from the Foley community. It all started before March with the Fish Fry at Henry's Catering on February 22, great turn out of fish eaters. Many wonderful bakers shared their talents and put on a bake sale that no one could ignore. It was great support and fun too.

       As it happens every year in March, the CROSS Center participates in the statewide March Campaign. The more money and food that is donated during March to CROSS, the more the CROSS Center will receive at the statewide distribution later in the year. This year we had additional incentive from Thrivent Financial, as they matched CROSS donations, 50 cents on every dollar donated. It was a win-win month of March for the CROSS Center.

       Many churches and organizations made extra special efforts to collect donations of food and money for CROSS during March. Thank you for the energy, time, talent and creativity of many people. Families collected food for CROSS at family Easter gatherings, Youth groups did food drives, KC's had a breakfast, Goodness Gorillas had a food drive and brought over a thousand pounds to CROSS, and there was breakfast and drive up coffee with the super hero. What a great response to these efforts and many others.

       Thank you from the CROSS Center to a great caring, sharing community. It has indeed been a warm March.

       (posted 4-5-13)



Thank you to everyone, from individuals to organizations, young and old, that  have made the March Campaign a success. The final results are still being tallied. Stay  tuned!!

       (posted 4-5-13)



The Elementary School and the National Honor Society are teaming up and will be collecting food during the 1st and 2nd grade concert on April 18. The 1st graders perform at 6:00 followed by the 2nd graders at 7:00. Bring a donation and come and watch a great show!!

       (posted 4-5-13)



The CROSS Center will be hosting the Foley Area Chamber meeting on April 18. We will be serving them breakfast at 7:30 that morning.

        (posted 4-5-13)



Like the CROSS Center on Facebook!!

       (posted 4-5-13)



A special thank you to Coborns for donating 3174 pounds of food during the month of March!!

       (posted 4-5-13)



The Second Grade Goodness Gorillas are leading the annual March Food Drive for Foley Elementary School.

       (posted 3-14-13)



Dulem Knights of Columbus are hosting a breakfast the morning of March 24. Stay tuned for more info!!

       (posted 3-14-13)



Benton County employees are running a food drive and donation.

       (posted 3-14-13)



March is a special time of year for the CROSS Center. Read about what the March Campaign means. Learn about the Thrivent Grant. Find out about fundraisers that are part of the March Campaign below!!

       (posted 3-5-13) Above directions were in the context of the home page.



Join us for a pancake breakfast on Wednesday, March 20. You can dine-in or drive-through!! Fundraisers in March are extra special because March Campaign donations determine the incentive money received later in the year. This year, Thrivent Financial is matching all money received by the end of March with 50 cents on the dollar. All Staff at CROSS is volunteer which means all money will go to pay utilities and Food bank purchases. Read More!!

       (posted 3-5-13)



The CROSS Center is once again collecting Coborns Ham Cards!! Even if you do not want a ham or don't think you will get enough punches, please participate in the Coborns ham card program and give your card to CROSS. We will gladly accept your card no matter how many punches it has. It’s all good for us, thanks to Coborns' generosity.

        (posted 3-5-13)



Thank you for the great response to the CROSS fish fry fund raiser. We served over 300 dinners and also had a wonderful bake sale. Thank you to everyone who came and worked at the dinner, baked for the bake sale and of course to all who came and ate with us and bought baked goods. Special thank you to Sharon Henry for helping us put out such a fantastic meal. We hope we can do it again.

        (posted 3-5-13)



A special thank you to Coborns for donating 2,541 pounds of food during the month of February!!

       (posted 3-5-13)



A special thank you to Coborns for donating 3979 pounds of food during the month of January!!

       (posted 2-1-13)



Grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation

       Recently, the CROSS Center received a $5000 Lutheran Community Economic Outreach Bridge Grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutheran’s Foundation. This grant was awarded based off of the effectiveness the CROSS Center has in helping people with basic needs. “Difficult economic conditions and high unemployment rates have caused many Americans to seek support for basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter from local nonprofits,” said Kathy Larson, grants program manager for the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation. “This grant program is designed to help effective organizations maintain their financial stability in the face of increased demand on their resources.”

        Not only did the CROSS Center receive the grant, but they were offered to take part in the two-for-one challenge as well. The challenge will provide 50 cents for every 1 dollar raised until March 31st, up to $5000. The CROSS Center has made it their goal to raise $10,000 before then to receive the maximum grant from the challenge.

       With the grant, the CROSS Center was able to pay off their outstanding bill at the food bank and are very grateful for the timely help. Stay tuned for upcoming fundraisers and other opportunities to help the CROSS Center reach its goal!

       (posted 1-30-13)



Upcoming Fish Fry fundraiser for the CROSS Center at Henry’s Catering, February 22nd.  It will be 4:30-7:30 PM. Come join us! Read More!

       (posted 1-30-13)



Volunteers Needed: If you are interested in volunteering at the Fish Fry Fundraiser, please contact the CROSS Center!

       (posted 1-30–13)



The CROSS Center will be serving breakfast at the Foley Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on February 2nd in the Foley High School Cafeteria. Breakfast will be served from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Please come and donate!

       (posted 1-30-13)


Archives 2012



Thank you to everyone who gave the CROSS Center their Turkey cards. We received enough cards for over 100 turkeys!! If you don't think that a card with only a couple stamps on it is worth that much, it is all those stamps put together that added up to that many turkeys. .. What a blessing for the CROSS Center. Coborns is very generous in doing their part in providing (special ordering) turkeys for CROSS to share with families. It is a great partnership with the community and with Coborns.

       (posted 12-14-12)



A special thank you to Coborns for donating 4,000 pounds of food during the month of November!!

       (posted 12-11-12)



VOLUNTEER NEEDED: Fundraising person or group. Because of a greater need of funds to operate, the CROSS Center needs to do fundraising. We need help in creating ideas and organizing events in the community. They will be working with the CROSS Board.

(posted 11-23-12) *Note: The position has now been filled.*



Thank you to everyone who helps to make a brighter Christmas for the families of CROSS!!

       (posted 11-22-12)



The CROSS Center is conducting registration for the Toy program until December 13. The Toy Distribution will take place on Saturday, December 15 at the First Presbyterian Church. Many volunteers will be needed to help set up the night before and during the distribution. Please let us know if you would like to help!! Toys come from the community donations. Collection boxes are set around Foley at various business places. Last year we had 200 children needing toys.... 0-16 years old. All toys must be new.

       (posted 11-22-12)



The Giving Trees are set up in banks in Foley. On the trees are envelopes with family wish lists and clothing sizes and directions for the sponsor. We try to get a list from the family to make it easier to shop for them. They do not expect to receive everything on the list. Please bring in the gifts – back to the bank or to the CROSS Center during open hours- on or before December 13, 2012. The earlier the better as the families expect to pick up their gifts when they get their food for the month and save on gas. We need time to notify them that their gifts are here, by mail as many do not have a phone. All gifts must be new; gift certificates also are a good choice.

       (posted 11-22-12)



The winter weather is now upon us and the CROSS Center now is in need of winter clothing. Any help will be greatly appreciated!!

       (posted 10-26-12)



NEEDED: The CROSS Center is in need of extra volunteers during the holiday season. Also, the CROSS Center is looking for someone to clean the floors once a month and a person to clean the bathrooms once a week. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please call or stop by and fill out an application. Thank You!!

       (posted 10-26-12)



Holiday Tour of Homes Fundraiser

      The Foley Women of Today and CROSS Center are teaming up to sponsor a Holiday Tour of Homes Fundraiser in the Foley area.

      Do you like to decorate for the holidays? Would you like to show it off? We are looking for individuals and families to showcase their homes inside and out for the holiday season. The planning committee is already hard at work on the details and they will be forthcoming as the holiday season approaches.

      All money raised as a result of this tour will be donated back to the CROSS Center for operating expenses and building maintenance. If you are interested in showing off your home, please contact a Foley Women of Today member, or call Melissa at 320-387-2479 with your name and a phone number where we can easily reach you. We are looking forward to an exciting holiday season in the Foley area!

      The Foley chapter of the Minnesota Women of Today is a community service and leadership training organization. Membership is open to those 18 years of age and over.

(posted 9-3-12)



Coborns is once again playing a big part in the CROSS holiday service. Even if you do not want a turkey or don't think you will get enough punches for a turkey, please do the Coborns turkey card program and give your card to CROSS. We will gladly accept your card no matter how many punches it has. It’s all good for us, thanks to Coborns' generosity. Don't get the turkey. Just bring us the Coborns card. The card slips through the mail slot in the door a lot easier anyway. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, BRING to CROSS CENTER YOUR TURKEY CARD BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SO OUR FAMILIES WILL HAVE TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING!! THANK YOU.

       (posted 11-9-12)



A special thank you to Coborns for donating 2,949 pounds of food during the month of October!!

       (posted 10-6-12)



The CROSS Center was happy to participate in the United Way Week of Action. United Way recruited volunteers to do special projects, during the Week of Action, for local organizations. CROSS is thankful to Falcon Bank for providing us with a volunteer “Power Painter” on Thursday. Because of the weather the painting did not get done but we did go forward with plan “B”. Several odd jobs got done and bagging of Potatoes was the big job. Turned into a nice productive day – inside!

       (posted 10-6-12)



The CROSS Center is happy to be able to participate with the Foley Area Chamber in the Halloween afternoon event thanks to a donor and volunteers. We are looking forward to seeing the little costumed trick-or-treaters.

        (posted 10-6-2012)



There is a need of volunteers at the CROSS Center again now as the snow birds fly south. We are very flexible and you can volunteer as much and as often as you like. Stop in or give us a call if you are interested.

       (posted 10-6-12)



National Honor Society will trick-or-treat for the CROSS Center on Halloween. Students in NHS will be pushing grocery carts through the city of Foley and going door to door to collect non-perishable food items for the CROSS Center. Please help them by having a few food items ready along with your Halloween candy.

       (posted 10-1-12)



We enjoyed all the people who came to our open house, and had a hot dog, chips and root beer floats with us. Thank you to Cheryl, Maxine, and Eileen for pulling together the food. Guests were able to walk around with board members and ask questions about CROSS services. Door prize winners: Jan Rothanburg, Basket from Foley Drug; Christopher Sundeen, basket from Quality Meats; Margaret Scofield, Tupperware; Jean Greener, Tupperware; Kevin Adelman, quilt; Ruth Duhamel, quilt; Grace Dahlberg, quilt. Quilts were donated by Rice quilters. Tupperware was donated by Anne Skroch.

       (posted 9-28-12)



Now in September we are giving each family a quilt, until we run out. The quilting group in Rice brought us 70 quilts and the Gustavus Adolphus Church quilting group brought us 11 more. What a pleasure it is to share these beautiful works of art to the families and see their happy faces.

       (posted 9-28-12)



During the month of August, the CROSS Center gave out school supplies to 90 Foley Children. Thanks to the many generous donors of those supplies, we were able to fill that need this year. We will, as in the past, give out the extra note books, folders and other school supplies at the Toy Distribution in December.

       (posted 9-28-12)


Holiday Tour of Homes Fundraiser

The Foley Women of Today and CROSS Center are teaming up to sponsor a Holiday Tour of Homes Fundraiser in the Foley area. Do you like to decorate for the holidays? Would you like to show it off? We are looking for individuals and families to showcase their homes inside and out for the holiday season. The planning committee is already hard at work on the details and they will be forthcoming as the holiday season approaches. All money raised as a result of this tour will be donated back to the CROSS Center for operating expenses and building maintenance. If you are interested in showing off your home, please contact a Foley Women of Today member, or call Melissa at 320-387-2479 with your name and a phone number where we can easily reach you. We are looking forward to an exciting holiday season in the Foley area! The Foley chapter of the Minnesota Women of Today is a community service and leadership training organization. Membership is open to those 18 years of age and over.

        (posted 9-3-12)



The results of the March Campaign are now here. Remember the great support the Foley Community pulled together for the CROSS Center?? Because of all food drives and donations that came to CROSS during March, the CROSS Center received $1,529.29 to be spent on food. That is wonderful... thank you again for great community support.

       (posted 8-30-12)



Thank you for the fantastic response to the school supply needs!! We had more than we needed. As we have done in the past years, we will be offering school supplies to the children during the toy distribution. It all works out good for the children, by the New Year they will be needed some school supplies again.

       (posted 8-30-12)



NEEDED: A group or individual to help us get cardboard to the recycling center. It seems to us that recycling the cardboard is a responsible thing to do, but we need some help to accomplish that goal.

       (posted 8-30-12)



During the month of July, 142 families were helped with food. Because of the great caring people of this area the CROSS Center was able to fulfill that mission. Thank you: 142 times.

       (posted 8-30-12)



OPEN HOUSE!! The CROSS Center will be having an open house on Thursday, September 13 from 4:00 to 7:30. Please stop by and check us out!!

       (posted 8-16-12)



Help local students be well prepared for their first day of school by donating supplies at the CROSS Center or at local businesses and churches with drop off boxes in July and August. See the list!! (The CROSS Center currently needs: Washable Broad Tip Markers, Dry Erase Markers, Red Wide-Ruled Notebooks, 1” and 1.5” Binders (with clear cover to insert cover page), Post-it Notes, Lined Note Cards)

       (posted 8-1-12)


Food Shelf Challenge

The CROSS Center of Benton County and Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless announce the third annual $100,000 Food Shelf Challenge Grant. The more funds CROSS raises in July means that our Open Your Heart grant will be larger. Minnesota food shelves raised over $1,000,000 last year with this grant and hope to outpace that this year.To donate to the CROSS Center, you can mail your check or click on the “Donate Now” button on the top left of this page. For 25 years Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless has targeted millions of dollars to strategically fight hunger in Minnesota. Open Your Heart funds the purchase and transfer of more than one million pounds of fresh produce, meat and dairy products every year through Hunger Solutions Minnesota. Arna Yetter, Executive Director of Open Your Heart, said, “Too many kids in Minnesota have to worry about where their lunch will come from once school is out. Open Your Heart is committed to making sure all of our kids get enough to eat this summer, and we hope people across the state will join us.” Minnesota food shelves help families obtain the groceries they cannot afford to purchase on their own.  People served by food shelves report having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities and other necessities.  A food shelf client from Benton County told a volunteer, “I don’t know how I would feed my girls without the CROSS Center.” CROSS Center of Benton County is a food shelf serving low income families living in Benton County and is located in downtown Foley. They also offer used clothing and household items to anyone who has need of them. Run by volunteers, the food shelf is dedicated to meet the needs of hungry people in Benton County. For more information about Open Your Heart:  http://www.oyh.org/

       (posted 7-9-12)



CROSS Center needs help to fill empty plates this summer; Donations in July will generate grants to help end hunger in Benton County.

        (posted 7-9-12)



Please read a letter from the Board of Directors.

       (posted 6-21-12)



NEEDED: Volunteers!! The CROSS Center is in need of volunteers for the summer months, both in the clothing and in the food areas. A volunteer is needed to clean once a week too. Please call if you are interested!!

       (posted 6-19-12)



Do you like carpentry work? The CROSS Center could use your help. If you are interested, please give us a call.

       (posted 6-19-12)

       


A special thank you to Coborns for donating 2,602 pounds of food during the month of June!!

       (posted 8-15-12)



Organization is the game plan at the CROSS Center these days. That game has many new people finding their way to the CROSS Center to volunteer. Most of them are movers and shakers! They are pulling many missing items out of hiding places since the Rainbow remodel started in February.

       (posted 6-19-12)



The Rainbow building is now back in business, distributing used clothing and household items to anyone who has need of them – FREE! Donations of those items(no furniture or broken items) are now again being accepted at the back door of the Rainbow building. Please call if you have a large amount to donate. Donations must be brought to us during our open hours. The door is kept locked, please knock loudly.

       (posted 6-19-12)



Thank you to everyone who has gone that extra mile for CROSS during the mess and moving. People painted, moved stuff, did cleaning, gave monetary donations, participated in the golf fundraiser and many other wonderful ways. All of the volunteer magic that happened in the last few weeks can make our head spin…. Wonderful …Wonderful… It is just great… Thank you.

       (posted 6-19-12)



The Post Office food drive brought in a lot of food – Thank you CARRIERS for extra work and heavy lifting to bring in all that food…. 1778 pounds…. Two pickup loads to get it from the Post Office to CROSS. WOW! Thank you to all who donated.

       (posted 6-19-12)



The CROSS Center is in need of a platform truck like this one. (No longer needed. Thank You!!)

       (posted 4-23-12)



Come Join Us at the 3rd annual Stone Creek/CROSS Center Golf Fundraiser on May 6.

       (posted 4-23-12)



The Spring Newsletter is now available. Read It Now!

       (posted 4-2-12)



A special thank you to Coborns for donating 3,457 pounds of food during the month of March!!

       (posted 4-2-12)



CROSS is again collecting the Coborns Ham Cards. Bring them in during our open hours or drop them in the mail slot at the Rainbow building. If you are not planning on getting a Ham this year, please bring us your receipts NOW, as you get them.  We need the hams as soon as possible in order to serve the CROSS customers when they come in for food. No one has gas for a second trip. BE SURE you bring us the WHOLE receipt, do not cut them. Receipts that have been cut can not be used. Thank you for helping us share hams this Easter.

       (posted 3-3-12)



Be the Hero, Fight Hunger in the 2012 Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign. Please help the CROSS Center raise food and money this event. In 2010, the CROSS Center served 1,322 people (plus 208 “second visits”), and gave out 118,560 pounds of food. Donations can be made by stopping by the CROSS Center during operating hours or Donating Online Now!

       (posted 3-3-12)



CROSS is again collecting the Coborns Ham Cards. Bring them in during our open hours or drop them in the mail slot at the Rainbow building. If you are not planning on getting a Ham this year, please bring us your receipts NOW, as you get them.  We need the hams as soon as possible in order to serve the CROSS customers when they come in for food. No one has gas for a second trip. BE SURE you bring us the WHOLE receipt, do not cut them. Receipts that have been cut can not be used. Thank you for helping us share hams this Easter.

       (posted 3-3-12)



The web address has changed, we are now foleycrosscenter.org.  Please update your bookmarks and links!

       (posted 1-14-12)



Renovation! The Rainbow building is ready for renovation! The leaking roof has been already repaired and sealed with a 20 year guarantee. The roof was a priority and glad to have it done first. Work on the building interior will start in a couple weeks. The goal of the renovation is to make the old building as energy efficient as possible and also safe for clients. The building was donated to CROSS of Benton County a year ago by Foley Tax Service and John Reed. A special thank you to Carol Schimnich for again sharing and donating her grant writing skills for the CROSS Center mission. An Otto Bremer grant was awarded the CROSS Center for the renovation, recognizing the importance of the service CROSS provides for the residences of Foley and Benton County. The grant will cover most of the renovation cost. The CROSS Center needs some help with donations and fund raisers to pay a share in the project. Please consider what you may be able to do to help. During the renovation, the free clothing and household program will be moved to the office that is located next to Benton Insurance, just down the street from the Rainbow building. They will be at that location until the work is done. No clothing or household item donations can be accepted during the renovation. You can save your donations for CROSS until we are back in regular business or you can take them to thrift stores that are accepting donations. Thank you so much for your cooperation during this process. The food shelf will be business as usual during the Rainbow renovation and will gladly accept any food donations.

       (posted 1-14-12)



CROSS Gives Thanks. There are wonderful people among us and CROSS Center would like to thank all who helped make the holiday programs a success.  We thank those who purchased gifts for families from the Giving Tree.  We also thank those who donated toys for Toys for CROSS, especially Andi Rahm and Confirmation students from St. John's Catholic Church who held Candy Cane Sunday, a huge fund raiser to purchase toys.  Because of your generosity, many area families enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.  We thank the First Presbyterian Church for providing the space for the toy distribution.  Thanks to those who gave of their time to get ready for the toy distribution, especially the deacons and YUPS from First Presbyterian Church,  Confirmation students from St. John’s Catholic Church, CROSS volunteers, Boy Scouts and the Foley Kiwanis Club.  Thanks also to those who volunteered to pick up the toys and gift bags from the various businesses and those who coordinated all the gifts coming in to the CROSS Center. CROSS also thanks the area banks, businesses and churches who so generously agreed to sponsor a Giving Tree or toy box – Frandsen Bank & Trust, Frandsen Auto Bank, Falcon National Bank, and Heritage National Bank of East St. Cloud, Benton County Courthouse, Benton County Courts Facility, Coborn’s, First Presbyterian Church, Foley Rexall Drug, Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, St. John’s Catholic Church and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. CROSS extends a BIG thank-you to the Benton County News for printing the articles for these and other CROSS projects. God Bless You All for Your Generosity!

       (posted 1-14-12)



Toy Distribution - December 17, 2011 was a day of Christmas. A day of giving, caring, sharing, and loving Gods children. It was not an easy day; it was a day of hard work and was a long day.  In fact it started Friday afternoon, December 16. Saturday, December 17, was the Toy Distribution for 200 needing children in Benton County. We had been doing registration and collecting toys for this day for the last 2 months but the physical "getting the toys ready" preparation was on Friday.  Friday at 4:00 the Kiwanis group was scheduled to come and load the toys at the CROSS on a trailer to be hauled over to the 1st Presbyterian Church, where the distribution is held. At the church, the youth group from the 1st Presbyterian church and the youth group from the St. John's Catholic Church were there to unload the trailer, haul the toys into the fellowship hall, take down the round tables, and set up the long tables, haul all the tables from the Sunday School rooms for us to use, and then the hard part - follow directions.!!! Oh! but these kids were amazing, in no time they had all the tables set up as directed, the boxes and totes of toys were unloaded and set up on tables by age or category. More volunteers from the community, mostly adults, came about 5:00 to arrange and organize the toys in a fashion of display. It could be very over whelming for the parent to find that special toy for their child, so they did whatever they could to give it organization. It was very well done. That room had a major alteration and it was all done by 6:00.  Very amazing indeed. We were ready for 78 families (200 children) to come for the toys. Saturday, at 11:30, more volunteers came and after orientation were ready to chaperone each parent as they selected gifts for their children. They were able to choose a main gift, numerous stocking stuffers, stuffed animals, knit hats, scarves, mittens, games and puzzles. They started at noon and done at 5:00.   We saw happy grateful parents as they left for home. At 5:00, the Boy Scouts came and again a major alteration as all leftovers (including garbage) were hauled into the  trailer, tables returned to their places, table decorations returned and etc. The goal is to leave it looking as good as it did when we came on Friday. Again another group of great guys that really know how to move stuff and leave it looking good. The trailer was unloaded at the CROSS Center. All done and on our way home at 6:00. What a day!! What a Christmas it was already. What Spirit !!  What energy !! Many thanks to all who made it happen; starting with the donation of toys to the final clean up. Great job!