Food

Affordable, nutritious meals for older adults are available at Lake View in Two Harbors (Monday-Friday), Northwoods Family Grille in Silver Bay (Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and the Clair Nelson Center in Finland (second Wednesday of each month). Register through AEOA by calling 800-662-5711, ext. 6899.

• 800-662-5711 ext. 6899

• https://www.aeoa.org/senior-nutrition

• Silver Bay:
  Northwoods Family Grille
  6 Shopping Center Road
  Silver Bay, MN 55614
  
  Two Harbors:
  325 11th Avenue (located in Lake View Hospital)
  Two Harbors, MN 55616
  
  Finland:
  Clair Nelson Center
  6866 Cramer Road
  Finland, MN 55603

Volunteer service to assist elders in living independently. Services include:

• Transportation to medical appointments
• Care coordination
• Chores
• Light housekeeping
• Assistance with grocery shopping and delivery
• Friendly conversations and visits
• Education and community events throughout the year
• Evidenced-based programming, such as A Matter of Balance, Living Well with Chronic Conditions, Living Well with Diabetes
• Meals on Wheels-Delivered Monday through Friday from 11am and 1pm. Please call for guidelines and to register.
• Groceries to Go-There are three ways to access food: A volunteer will drive the participant to the grocery store to assist in shopping and then assist in bringing groceries to the door; a volunteer will drive the participant to the Two Harbors Area Food Shelf to access food and assist in bringing groceries to the door; a participant can call Community Partners on Mondays and Tuesdays to place their order, then a volunteer will do the grocery shopping and deliver groceries to the door on Wednesday. If you live in congregate care, groceries are left in the communal kitchen at the facility. Call or stop by Community Partners to register.

Community Partners also offers caregiver counseling, support groups, and respite care.

• Caregiver Support Group-Meets 2nd Monday of every month at the Community Partner’s office.

• (218) 834-8024

• http://www.communitypartnersth.org/

• Community Partners
  Community Center Building
  417 South Ave
  Two Harbors, MN 55616

Community Services

• Community Services-Offering area resources in situations of homelessness, chemical dependency, domestic abuse, unemployment and mental health. No case management commitment; use as often or as little as needed.  Assistance with hygiene products, household goods, mailboxes for people experiencing homelessness, free telephone line, bus tokens, and gas vouchers (call for program requirements). Open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9am-3pm.
• Hygiene Unit-Including showers (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, towels included), toilets, and sinks. Come to the parking lot doors and you will be greeted by Damiano staff. Drop-ins welcome.
• Health Realization-Cognitive skills-based program that helps individuals manage stress in a positive way. Open to all individuals on Wednesdays at 7pm; women only meetings are Sundays at 7pm (please arrive 15-minutes early for both programs as building doors are locked when the meeting begins).

Clothing and Household

• Clothes that Work-Free clothing for low income individuals that are seeking employment or are employed and need clothing (must provide ID and proof of employment). Also provides accessories, hygiene and beauty products. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am-3pm.
• Free Store: Free clothing and household goods. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am-3pm.

Food Community Kitchen: 

• Continental Breakfast 8:30am-9:30am (daily)
• Lunch 11:30am-1pm (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
• Dinner 5pm-6pm (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

Kids’ Kitchen: Kids ages 6+, no adult needed. Provides healthy meals, nutritional education, and a safe place for kids after school and during the summer. Kids Kitching Programming is offered Monday through Thursday 2:30pm-5:30pm (meal is served from 4pm-5pm). Go to the 2nd Avenue West entrance of the Damiano Center and ring the doorbell.

• 218-722-8708

• http://www.damianocenter.org/

• 206 West 4th Street
  Duluth, MN 55806

Offering produce (on first Wednesday of month), milk, cheese, meats, canned/dry food.

Hours: Wednesday 1pm-5pm

• 218-834-4545 (leave message)

• 709 5th Street
  Two Harbors, MN 55616
  

Open third Wednesday of each month from 11am-5pm.

On the third Saturday of each month, shopping is open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. No shopping number needed on Saturdays.

Eligibility is based on either your participation in any of the programs listed below or your income which must be below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

• Child Care Assistance
• Energy Assistance
• GA – General Assistance
• Head Start
• MFIP-MN Family Investment Program
• MN Care – Minnesota Care
• NAPS – Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors
• Reduced or free lunch or breakfast
• Section 8 Housing
• SNAP – Food Support
• SSI – Supplemental Security Income
• Transitional Housing
• Weatherization
• WIC – Women, Infants & Children

• 218-235-8527

• https://elyareafoodshelf.org/

• 15 West Conan Street
  Ely, MN 55731
  

In collaboration with the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), North Shore Area Partners is organizing freshly cooked meals at the Clair Nelson Center, Finland, on the second Wednesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for persons 60+. Cost is $4.50 per meal. All ages are welcome to join in at the full price of $10. During the meal, presentations will be offered on a variety of topics. Please contact Stacey, NSAP Program & Volunteer Coordinator, at 218-353-1391.

• 218-353-1391

• Meals Served at:
  Clair Nelson Center
  6866 Cramer Road
  Finland, MN 55603

• Health Care-Medical Assistance, Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities, Long Term Care, TEFRA, Medicare Savings Program.
• Mental Health Services-Case Management services for children and adults.
• Cash Assistance-Minnesota Family Investment Program, Diversionary Work Program, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, General Assistance, Housing Supports (formerly known as Group Residential Housing). Apply for Cash Assistance benefits at https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as food stamps and/or food support)-Apply for SNAP benefits at https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/
• Emergency Programs-Emergency Assistance and Emergency General Assistance. Apply for Emergency Assistance benefits at https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/
• Car Seat Installations-A certified car seat technician is available to assist you.
• Child and Teen Check-up-Program for children on Medical Assistance and Minnesota Care. Information is available about good physical health, development and growth, hearing and vision checks and immunizations. Complete physical exams are also available at your local clinic.
• Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)-May be available to families who are employed, seeking employment, or are in school or training. Apply for CCAP benefits by calling our office, picking up an application or going on-line at https://applymn.dhs.mn.gov.
• Child Protection-Workers receive reports of possible physical, emotional or sexual abuse and/or neglect and take appropriate action to provide safety for the children.
• Child Foster Care Services-A licensed, home-like setting for children who are unable to live with their families and need placement on emergency, temporary, long-term or respite basis.
• Children and Family Services-Voluntary services to help families stay together; provides ongoing case management with individualized plans and assistance for your family’s needs.
• Family Based Services-Provides parent education and counseling in the family home as an alternative to an out-of-home placement or preparing for a child to return home.
• Follow Along Program-Babies and children grow and learn at their own rate. Some children need special help to grow up healthy and learn skills such as sitting, walking, or talking. This program is to help determine if this is true for your child.
• Newborn Home Visits-Visits to a home or in the office by a public health nurse specializing in parent and child health. A visit will include weighing your baby, assessing your baby from head to toe, and providing information on sleep habits, feeding your baby, infant cues, playing with your baby, general baby care. The nurse will also answer any of your questions and direct you to community resources if necessary. If you would like to meet before your baby is born, the nurse will talk to you about making sure you are doing all you can to have a healthy baby. This is a free and confidential service to all Lake County families.
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC)-Provides supplemental food and nutrition education to eligible pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under age 5.
• Child Support-Assistance in locating parents, establishing parentage, establishing court orders for child support, medical support, and child care support, reviewing and modifying court orders for child support, medical support and child care support, adjusting court orders based on cost-of-living, enforcing court orders, collecting and processing payments. MN Child Support Online: http://www.childsupport.dhs.state.mn.us/Action/Welcome

• 218-834-8400 (Two Harbors office)
• 218-226-4443 (Silver Bay office)
• 800-450-8832

• http://www.co.lake.mn.us/index.php

• Two Harbors office:
  616 3rd Avenue
  Two Harbors, MN 55616
  
• Silver Bay office:
  Silver Bay Service Center
  99 Edison Blvd.
  Silver Bay, MN 55614

If you or someone you know does not have enough food, visit the MN HelpLine to find out if you qualify for SNAP and where to find emergency food assistance close to your home.

• https://www.minnesotahelp.info/SpecialTopics/HomelessPeople/Search?sm=Service&q=Food+Assistance+Program&loc=Two+Harbors%2C+MN+55616&geo=47.164085%2C-91.599128&reg=MN

North Shore Area Partners (NSAP) provides compassionate and confidential support for older adults age 60+ living in the heart of Minnesota’s North Shore, who wish to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Each year, NSAP coordinates over 60 volunteers to assist over 500 individual participants with a wide variety of services. As an Enrolled Provider for Alternative Care and Elderly Waiver, they provide the only access to chore, homemaking, and home health care for many clients in their service area. NSAP is committed to serving all residents regardless of their financial circumstances. NSAP provide services to the Beaver Bay, Silver Bay, Finland, Isabella, Little Marais communities and surrounding area. They also provide home care services out of their regular service area-up the shore to Lutsen and down the shore to Knife River.

Programs & Services

Activities:

• Drop-in pool and puzzle time on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Coffee Connection Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Home Care: Assessment & Intake, Financial & Benefits Consultation, Errands & Groceries, Light Housekeeping, Meal Prep, Laundry, Medication Set Up & Reminders, Non-Medical Nail Care, Personal Cares (i.e., hygiene, bathing, dressing), Respite

Transportation: Local Errands, Medical Appointments

Public Programming: Workshops, Meals On Wheels Delivery, Coffee Connection (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am – 12 pm), weekly activities (adult coloring, arts & crafts, games, & more!), Silver Bay Walking Club (Mondays at 9 am)—meet at Wildly Organic Doors at Mary MacDonald building, Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am – 9:30 am), RSVP Bone Builders (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am – 10:30 am), monthly nail care & blood pressure clinics (third Thursday from 9 am – 3 pm | see additional info below) | Monthly Full-Service Foot Care Clinics

Care Navigation: Service Planning, Financial & Health Care Directives Resources, Home Safety Assessment, Paperwork Assistance, Information & Referrals, Resource Assistance & Advocacy, Veteran’s Benefits

Resources: Technology Support, Free Tax Preparation (VITA), Legal Kiosk, Medical Equipment Loan Closet

Caregiver Support: Monthly Caregiver & Grief Support Groups, Individual Meetings & Support (Caregiver Consulting), Caregiver Education, Respite Services, Resource Assistance & Advocacy

Nail Care & Blood Pressure Clinics: Offered the third Thursday each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for adults age 55+. Nail care is offered by appointment only. Cost is $15 for toenail trim, $15 for fingernail trim or $20 for both. In-home nail care is also available at $25 Monday through Friday. Call 218-353-1449 to schedule an appointment. Individuals with certain conditions, such as diabetes, should call to schedule an appointment during our Full-Service Foot Care Clinics. Drop in blood pressure checks are offered the same day and are free of charge.

North Shore Area Partners Medical Equipment Loan Closet is a free public service for people needing personal care items such as walkers, canes, wheelchairs, commodes, and smaller pieces. Anyone can use the equipment if it’s available. NSAP’s hours are from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Monday through Thursday. Please call ahead if possible.

• (218) 226-3635

• http://www.nsapartners.org/

• 36 Shopping Center
  Silver Bay, MN 55614

• info@nsapartners.org

The BackPack Program-Feeds students in need on weekends and during the summer when school isn’t in session. Children receive a nutritious supply of food at the end of the week.

• 218-336-2312
• 888-727-5653

• http://www.northernlakesfoodbank.org/

• info@northernlakesfoodbank.org

Friendly Visits–Volunteer visits for area seniors who are homebound or alone and who want or need contact with the community. We offer a simple walk in the park with a companion, stories and a laugh with a new friend, or sharing a hobby.   

Transportation   

• Local Transportation-Volunteer supported program that provides rides to and from local services/events/meetings, running errands and local medical appointments. 
• Long-Distance Rides are specifically provided for medical appointments. Volunteer long-distance drivers are reimbursed by Northwoods Partners; clients are asked to make a donation to help us to sustain this program. 
• Grocery Delivery is available for people age 60+. Set up a store charge account and our volunteers will deliver your groceries right to your home. Groceries are delivered on Wednesdays. 

Exercise Buddy Program– A trained volunteer will meet with you weekly in your home to help increase your strength, flexibility, and balance.   

Community Exercise Group–Participants are led through a full body exercise routine that includes both seated and standing exercises.  The program is designed give participants a safe and effective workout that will allow them to increase and maintain their flexibility, stability, and movement.  Meets every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in the basement of First Lutheran Church. 

Men’s Memories & Movement Group–Share memories, stories, and life experiences over coffee & snacks and conclude each session with movement, light exercises to keep you active and help increase balance, range of motion and strength.  Meets every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Ely Senior Center. 

Matter of Balance Classes–Eight-week program that helps reduce the fear of falling and increases the activity levels of older adults. 

Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance is a balance training regimen designed for older adults and people with balance disorders. TJQMBB is a 12-week progressive learning course where participants learn an adapted 8 form Tai Chi routine that is intended to address common and potentially debilitating movement and balance issues.  

Caregiver Consulting–Caregiver Consultants can provide family caregivers with useful information, skills and tools, as well as help with problem solving.  The consultant’s role includes developing strategies for the caregiver to achieve a balanced lifestyle that allows for both providing care and maintaining their own health.  The consultant will help identify the caregiver’s strengths and needs, develop a personalized caregiving plan with goals.  Along the way, they offer problem solving, coaching, and ongoing support to help the caregiver reach their goals. 

Northwoods Memory Care Program–We help guide you and your family through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia by providing resources and consultation to help reduce stress and increase family support. 

Caregiver Support Groups–Provides an opportunity to connect with others, validate each other’s experiences, and ask for advice, find out about useful resources, and safely vent your frustrations. Meets 4th Thursday of the month, 10 a.m.-11:30am, at the Ely Senior Center. 

Aging Mastery Program (AMP)-AMP is a fun and engaging education and behavior change incentive program for aging well. The AMP core curriculum covers 10 topics. The classroom experience is a mix of didactic and interactive learning with an emphasis on peer-to-peer interaction. When they graduate from AMP, participants have set goals for positive actions in many aspects of their lives such as exercise, nutrition, finances, advance care planning, community engagement, and healthy relationships. 

Powerful Tools For Caregivers–An evidence-based educational series that is six weeks long and is designed to help unpaid family caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for a relative or family friend. Caregivers learn self-care tools like reducing stress, improving self-confidence, managing time, goal setting, problem solving, communicating their feelings, locating helpful resources, and making tough decisions. 

Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL)-The SAIL exercise class is a strength, balance, and fitness program for community dwelling older adults that meets two to three times per work for one hour.
ACT on Alzheimer’s–We bring dementia education to Ely in the form of newspaper articles, books, handouts, speakers, and a community conversation series. Check our calendar for upcoming educational opportunities. 

REACH –Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health is an evidence-based caregiver consultation service. This program works one-on-one with caregivers to assess risk, assist with problem solving, provide skill building techniques, manage behavior changes and find time for themselves. 

Caregiver Relief–We coordinate volunteer help for the person who cares for a chronically ill, home-bound loved one. 

Volunteer Training–New volunteers receive a one hour, face-to-face orientation that explains our history, services, programs, policies, and procedures. Additional training may be provided to carry out specific services. Every quarter, we offer a themed Volunteer Social that provides an opportunity for socializing with other volunteers and continuing education on volunteering. 

Tasty Tuesday-Join us at the Ely Senior Center to learn about healthy recipes, food preparation, and more! Participation is free and availability is limited. Class is typically the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Call 218-302-1778 for more information and to register. 

• 218-365-8019

• http://www.northwoodspartners.org/

• 328 West Conan Street
  Ely, Minnesota 55731

• office@northwoodspartners.org

A commodity supplemental food program for eligible people over 60 years of age. Pickup at Super One parking lot in Two Harbors and the Mary MacDonald building in Silver Bay. Delivery is the first Monday of the month.

• 218-727-5653, ext. 112 (Two Harbors residents)
• 218-226-3048 (Silver Bay residents)

Hosted by Bay Area Vineyard Church, Silver Bay. Distribution is the third Saturday of the month, in the gymnasium, from 10:30am-12pm. No income or residency requirement. Share donation of $25 cash, no checks. If you can only pay a portion of the donation, a church may cover the rest. Bring bags, baskets and coolers. Organic and gluten-free items may be available. You will receive an abundance of grocery items!

• 651-674-0009

• https://www.rubyspantry.org/

• 99 Edison Blvd.
  Silver Bay, MN 55614
  

Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm

• 218-226-4443

• Lake County Service Center
  99 Edison Blvd.
  Silver Bay, MN 55614
  

Provides a variety of food items to low-income individuals in Lake and St. Louis County. Emergency boxes of food are available Monday through Thursday by calling 218-391-8191 to schedule an appointment pick-up time.

• Food shelf distribution hours: Tuesdays 10am-3:45pm
• Inside shopping: 2nd Thursday of each month from 3pm-6pm
• Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm

• 218-391-8191

• https://thfoodshelf.org/

• 2124 10th Street (AEOA building)
  Two Harbors, MN 55616
  

• thafs2015@gmail.com

Lunch: Monday through Friday, 12pm-1pm

Dinner: Monday through Thursday, 4:30pm-5:30pm

• 218-722-1196

• https://www.duluth-ugm.org/

• 219 East 1st Street
  Duluth, MN 55802
  

On the third Friday of every month, a free dinner is served from 5pm-6:30pm.

• 531 3rd Avenue
  Two Harbors, MN 55616