Winter Gear Donations
Donating in-kind gifts supports Neighborhood House and our participants throughout our programs and in the St. Paul community. We offer several ways in which you can partner, plan, and participate with us in our work.
We are no longer accepting donations for the Winter Gear Room.
The last day the winter gear room is open will be February 12th, or until supplies last.
The Winter Gear Room is open from October-February 12, 2026, or until supplies last. The room offers a variety of winter items that families may need during the cold months.
The Winter Gear Room is open on:
Monday: 2–6 p.m.
Tuesday–Thursday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Friday: Closed
Winter Gear Wish ListWe are accepting all new or gently used:
- Jackets
- Gloves
- Blankets
- Boots
- Scarves
- Socks
- Snow Pants
- Hats
To make a donation:
Small Donations: If you have a carload or less of items (about 20 bags), these can be dropped off at the front desk of the Wellstone Center.
Drop off Hours:
Large Donations: If you have several carloads or pallets, please contact us to schedule a donation drop-off.
Are you interested in hosting a drive?
Please contact Lindsey Grask, our In-Kind Coordinator, through email or by phone: 651-789-3610.
We greatly appreciate your in-kind donations of food, gifts, winter gear, and other essentials. These donations are valued and are vital to our programs — all free to our participants and community members.
Please visit our RightGift page to purchase needed donations from our basic needs wish list and our school supplies list.
Connect with us.
Would you like to learn more about in-kind giving? Just fill in the online form below and submit or email us here.
Someone from our team will reach out to you within 1-3 business days.
Consider a financial donation
Did you know that our buying power can go further? Thanks to our strong community partnerships, we are able to keep our shelves stocked by purchasing food in bulk at a discounted rate. These purchasing programs help us stretch your dollars even further and support more of our neighbors.
Businesses, faith communities, schools and organizations enjoy showing their commitment to Neighborhood House by hosting donation drives to benefit our programs and participants. We invite you and/or your group to consider hosting an in-kind drive. We have worked with groups to host:
- Food drives
- Winter gear drives
- Personal care drives
- Cleaning supply drive
Here is a brief to-do list for getting started on planning on a donation drive
- Reach out to our In-Kind Coordinator, Lindsey Grask, and let us know about your interest in a drive
- Choose the dates of your drive
- Request any materials you might need (top needs wish list, flyers, and logos for promotion)
- Begin collecting items
- Coordinate a time to drop-off your collected donations
As you think about what type of drive might be the best fit for you or your group, we invite you to keep in mind that we are able to stretch financial donations through our bulk purchasing programs with food banks and other partner organizations. Many groups like to plan donation/monetary collections alongside our drives to further the impact.
In-kind gift resources
We have created a tool-kit of resources (coming soon) to help you plan and promote your donation drive:
- Food donation drive flyer
- Neighborhood House hunger stats flyer
- Photos & social post graphics
Carrie Sowada | Child Development Specialist
Carrie comes to Neighborhood House as a recent graduate of the U of M’s Family Social Science program, where they graduated with distinction. They have more than five years of experience working with and mentoring children in St. Cloud area youth programs, as well as customer service and restaurant experience. Additionally, Carrie has experience in community building, advocacy, and working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. In their spare time, Carrie enjoys crocheting. It’s their favorite hobby.
Valerie Dorschner | Early Childhood Instructor
Valerie has worked at Neighborhood House since 2004.
Valerie leads the Skills for School preschool program and is responsible for the curriculum. She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood working with parents and children, and has training and experience working with neurodiverse and dual language students.
- Valerie is a licensed teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas.
- She holds licenses in elementary education and in early childhood education, and has several years of experience
teaching elementary school.
Valerie enjoys her free time with her five children and one grandchild.
Victoria Campoverde
Victoria Campoverde is the program manager of Neighborhood House’s Latino Leadership Program. She is originally from Peru and was a licensed high school teacher in her home country.
Her extensive experience within the education sector exemplifies her commitment to education and families.
- Currently, she serves as the Cultural Liaison between Columbia Heights School District and Anoka-Hennepin School District.
- In 2008 Victoria began working with The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s Latino Leadership Program on adapting their curriculum for the Latinx community. Since then, she has continued working in the Latino Leadership Program after its 2020 transition to Neighborhood House.
- Coauthor of Education: Our Best Legacy (EOBL), a school success program designed for parents or caregivers with one or more children in middle school. EOBL is part of the Partnering for School Success project (PSS) with the University of Minnesota’s Extension program.
- Lead teacher and Program Director at Joyce Preschool.
- A 25 on the Rise, Latino Leader recipient from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2006.
- Facilitator with different Latino parent programs in the Twin Cities.
- President of Kuyayki Peru MN Cultural Association.
For Victoria it is important to value ones culture and cultivate ones heritage. She believes in the importance of empowering the community through her work with Neighborhood House and the Latino Leadership Program. During her free time Victoria enjoys dancing.
Winter / Spring Fresh Produce Distributions Events*
From November–May, all are welcome to come pick up a variety of free fruits and vegetables for family and friends. Distributions take place at Metro State University in St. Paul.
This event is held indoors. Masks are encouraged but not required.
During each event, we distribute approximately 3,000 pounds of food to approximately 75-100 families on average.
No documentation or identification is required to participate.
For additional questions about the Food Markets, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Event guideline and details: Our fresh produce events are open to everyone!
- Requirements: Nothing! You do not need identification to receive food.
- Recommendations: You may want to bring your own bags and a cart if you have one. On average, visitors will leave with approximately 40 pounds of fresh produce per event.
- Registration: First-time visitors are required to register on site. The registration process will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
- Parking: You can park in the Metro State ramp parking for $5. Otherwise, street parking is available along 7th St. and Bates Avenue.
Wellstone Center | 179 Robie Street East, St. Paul, MN 55107
Location
Metropolitan State University
(Student Center Room)
101 690 E 7th St
St. Paul, MN 55106
TIME – 2:30–4 P.M.
DATES – December 17, 2025 | January 14, 2026 | February 11, 2026 | March 11, 2026 | April 8, 2026 | May 13, 2026
* Weather permitting – If there are thunderstorms or excessive heat warnings, we may cancel the event and / or events. For more information and event cancellation updates, please call (651) 789-3630.
Still have questions? Kindly email Nicki Thao, Food Market Site Coordinator.
Summer / Fall distributions* (Summer 2025)
From July to October, all are welcome to come pick up a variety of free fruits and vegetables for family and friends at our St. Paul locations.
The distributions are held outdoors and are farmer’s market style. No documentation or identification is required to participate.
For additional questions about Food Support, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Event guideline and details: Our fresh produce events are open to everyone!
- Requirements: Nothing! You do not need identification to receive food.
- Recommendations: You may want to bring your own bags and a cart if you have one. On average, visitors will leave with approximately 40 pounds of fresh produce per event.
- Registration: First-time visitors are required to register on site. The registration process will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
- Parking: You may park on the street at most of our locations.
Locations
The Wellstone Center*
179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Dates
Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from July to October
Hours: 12 p.m.–2 p.m.
- 7/10
- 7/24
- 8/14
- 8/28
- 9/11
- 9/25
- 10/9
- 10/23
Summit Brewing Parking Lot
902 Montreal Circle
St. Paul, MN 55102
Dates
Every 1st and 3rd Thursday from July to October
Hours: 12 p.m.–2 p.m.
- 7/3
- 7/17
- 8/7
- 8/21
- 9/4
- 9/18
- 10/2
- 10/16
Flyers
* Weather permitting. If there are thunderstorms or excessive heat warnings, we may cancel the event and / or events. For more information and event cancellation updates, please call (651) 789-3630.
Still have questions? Please email Nikki Thao, Food Market Coordinator.
Food Market Location
Francis Basket
1293 East Maynard Drive #410
St Paul, MN 55116
Phone: (651) 699-0986
Building Hours
Monday
9AM – 11:30AM
Tuesday & WEDNESDAYS
9AM – 11:30AM
1PM – 4PM
Food Market Location
The Wellstone Center
179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Phone: (651) 789-2500
Food Market Info: (651) 789-3630
Appointment Required
Make Appointment online: Click Here
Appointment Scheduling Hours
Monday – Friday
9:30AM–4PM
Operating Hours
Monday
TUESDAY–FRIDAY
SATURDAY
- 1–4PM
- 9:30–11:30AM
- 1–3:30PM
Closed Saturdays until 2026
St. Paul Music Academy
27 Geranium Avenue East
St Paul, MN 55117
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602
Building Hours
Monday – Friday
9AM – 4PM
John A. Johnson Elementary
740 York Avenue
St Paul, MN 55106
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602
Building Hours
Monday – Friday
9AM – 4PM
Neighborhood House on Montreal
1080 Montreal Ave
St Paul, MN 55116
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602
Building Hours
Monday – Friday
9AM – 4PM
No appointment necessary
Operating Hours
MONDAY–WEDNESDAY
- 9:30–11:30AM
- 1–4PM
Dayton's Bluff Elementary
262 Bates Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55106
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602
Building Hours
Monday – Friday
9AM – 4PM
Bruce Vento Elementary
409 Case Avenue East
St Paul, MN 55130
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602
Building Hours
Monday – Friday
9AM – 4PM
Main Campus
The Wellstone Center
179 Robie Street
St. Paul, MN 55107
Main Phone: (651) 789-2500
Service Connect: (651) 789-3602
Food Market Info: (651) 789-3630
Building Hours
Monday – Friday
8AM – 9PM
Saturday
8AM – 4PM
Sunday
NOON – 5PM
Parking
The Wellstone Center Parking Ramp is located on the west side of the main building. The ramp has three levels with one elevator bank. Take the elevator to the first floor and follow the signs towards the information desk.
Parking is free.
Note: Building hours may be adjusted due to holidays, emergencies, program changes or weather. Check our website homepage and social media for possible building hour changes.