Acceptable Address Verifications Include the Following:

• Utility bill, lease, official mail from county, state, or federal government, current lease, or a medical bill
• A driver’s license is not an acceptable verification of address

In response to the pandemic, STEP has shifted to a no-contact order pick-up. Clients call 952-925-4899 during STEP’s open hours to make their personalized order and arrange the time to pick up the groceries at the back of the building. When picking up groceries, a face mask must be worn. Up to two weeks worth of groceries are provided per visit.

STEP will resume in person shopping where clients may pick out their own groceries once pandemic conditions allow it to be done safely.

STEP also provides product that is kosher. In addition, for those households who keep kosher, a grocery store gift card for meat for Shabbat is provided.

Households may come up to twice a month, except for November and December when visits are limited to once a month. (Additional food provided during those visits.)

Emergency food (1 bag of nonperishable goods, bread, meat, and shelf stable milk) is available to those who walk in or to those who cannot make an appointment.

Homeless youth who drop in will be given emergency food. The individual is encouraged to meet with a STEP social worker to address any service needs not currently being met by other community providers.

STEP social workers welcome calls from school district personnel to address an emergency food need of students even if the student resides outside of St. Louis Park.

Step Reserves The Right To Deny Shopping Services To Individuals Under These Circumstances:

• The individual is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and a detriment to themselves or STEP volunteers/staff.
• An individual is demonstrating abusive or threatening behavior
• The individual demonstrates a pattern of disruptive behavior and disregard for food shelf policies and procedures.
• Clients who live outside of St. Louis Park will be allowed to shop on a limited basis and referred to the food shelf in the city of residency.

Monthly Food Delivery

A homebound individual or someone recovering from a medical procedure may request STEP provide a food delivery. Those requesting this service must be assessed by a STEP social worker. An exception will be made for those referred by an emergency responder or hospital social worker. STEP can only provide this service one time each month. Please call 952-925-4899 and ask to speak to a STEP social worker.

Step Provides A Free Clothes Closet To Step Clients.

STEP looks forward to resuming the clothing program once conditions allow.

• • Residents must register with a STEP social worker prior to accessing the service. STEP requests annual address verification in the form of a current lease, medical bill, utility bill, or mail from city, county, state or federal government. Mail must be postmarked within past 30 days.
  • STEP offers gently used clothing for children and adults.
  • STEP does not offer household items or furniture.
  • Bedding and linens are occasionally available.
  • Seasonal donations from the community are welcomed.

Coats and Winter Wear

• During October and November STEP provides winter coats and other winter clothing items to residents in need living in St. Louis Park. Registration details will be posted in early fall.
• This program is in partnership with the Coats for Kids Program sponsored by Pilgrim’s Cleaners. Donations from the community are also welcomed.

Emergency Rental Assistance (not COVID Pandemic-related)

STEP is providing rent assistance for residents of St. Louis Park who have an unexpected crisis and cannot pay rent.  The crisis must be resolvable with the ability to pay next month’s rent.  Documentation will be requested at the time of application.  For questions, please contact 952-925-4899 and ask to speak to a social worker.

Priority is given to those with gross incomes at or below 50% area medium income.  Please see below chart.

English

Espanol

Somali

Emergency Rental Assistance (COVID Pandemic-related)

STEP is providing rent assistance for those households whose inability to pay rent is a result of the pandemic.  Priority is given to those households whose income is at or below 80% area medium income. Please see below chart.  For questions, please contact 952-925-4899 and ask to speak to a social worker.

Application & Instructions:

English

Espanol

Somali

Mortgage Assistance

STEP may have limited resources to help with mortgages or to refer to other mortgage assistance programs. St. Louis Park residents can inquire at 952-234-4323 or ea@stepslp.org.

Transportation

STEP provides bus passes or fuel cards on a limited basis for employment purposes to those who are experiencing a transportation crisis.

Counseling and Referral Services

STEP’s four professional social workers deliver services to clients. Social workers abide by a set of values and a code of ethics when delivering services. Social work relationships are built with regard for individual worth and dignity, the rights for clients to make decisions, assisting clients with resources, working to make institutions responsive to human needs and a respect for diversity. Social workers are trained to work with general populations with an array of issues. Clients come to STEP with concerns of domestic violence, chemical health, mental health, family and parenting, grief and loss, employment, financial needs, housing and access to community resources.

Julie Lapointe, LISW Julie@stepslp.org
Diane Forest, LISW Diane@stepslp.org
Karen Clara, LSW Karen@stepslp.org
Jackie Mracek, LSW Jackiem@stepslp.org

General Information

2-1-1 United Way (free and confidential health and human services information) 211 or 651-291-0211 or https://www.211unitedway.org/ or Text your zip code to 898-211 (M-F 8am-7pm)

Coronavirus (Covid 19) Resources

The State of Minnesota has set up a hotline for general questions about coronavirus at 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903, available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through MDH .

Crisis Hotlines

• Crisis Connection (confidential crisis hotline open 24 hours a day 7 days per week) 612-379-6363
• COPE (mental health crisis services) 612-596-1223
• Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline (network of domestic violence and sexual assault community programs) – Crisis Hotline call 1-866-223-1111 www.dayoneservices.org
• Cornerstone (domestic violence services) 1-866-223-1111
• Crisis Nursery (crisis service for families with young children) 763-591-0100 www.crisisnursery.org
• Sexual Violence Center (sexual assault hotline open 24 hours a day 7 days per week) 612-871-5111 www.sexualviolencecenter.org

SUICIDE PREVENTION AND SUPPORT

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN CRISIS AND IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE, THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES CAN HELP:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Throughout Minnesota: call **CRISIS (**274747)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “MN” to 741741

Employment Services

• Employment Action Center 612-752-8400 or www.eac-mn.org
• AVIVO 612-752-8000 www.avivomn.org
• Jewish Family and Children Services- 952-546-0616 www.jfcsmpls.org

Energy Assistance

• Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC) 952-930-3541 or www.caphennepin.org
• HeatShare 1-800-842-7279 www.salvationarmynorth.org

Food Assistance

• Fare For All – low cost monthly food packages 1-800-582-4291 or www.fareforall.orgwww.fareforall.org
• WIC-women, infants, and children food and nutrition program for pregnant or nursing mothers and children up to age 6. 612-348-6810 or http://www.health.state.mn.us/wic
• MAC- Mother’s and Children food program-651-484-8241 or www.health.state.mn.us
• NAPS- nutrition program for income eligible adults 60 years and older, 651-484-8241 or http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/csfp/
• SNAP-food support for financially eligible individuals and families, food support help line 1-888-711-1151 or click here
  Central Clinic (free clinic for children and teens) 952-993-1100
• St Mary’s Clinics (income eligible persons who are uninsured) 651-287-7777

Hennepin County Economic Assistance and/or Emergency Assistance

• Cash Assistance Programs 612-348-3000 or http://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/cash-assistance
• Emergency Assistance 612-596-1900 (families) or 612-596-1300 (adults without children) or https://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/emergency-assistance
• County Human Services West Suburban Hub (M-F, 8am-4:30pm) Wells Fargo building, 1011 1st Street, Hopkins

Housing

• HousingLink (internet housing search including a subsidized housing list) www.housinglink.org
• HOME Line (tenant’s rights organization) 612-728-5767 or www.homelinemn.org
• Shelter services (discuss options with Hennepin County shelter team) 612-348-9410

Legal

• Legal Aid (professional legal services for financially eligible individuals), 612-334-5970 or www.mylegalaid.org
• Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) – MMLA’s government Benefits Unit and Immigration Law Project are available to answer questions from immigrants about public charge issues. For assistance, community members can call Legal Aid at 612-332-1441 or 1-800-292-4150 during MMLA’s intake hours (Mon-Fri 9:30 AM-11:30 AM, 1:30 PM-3:30 PM). Language services are available for all callers.

Senior

• Senior Care and Assisted Living Guide (https://www.caring.com/senior-living/assisted-living/minnesota)
• Senior Linkage Line https://metroaging.org/help-information/senior-linkage-line/ 1-800 333-2433 Senior Linkage Line is a free service of the state of Minnesota that connects older Minnesotans and families with help.
• Jewish Family and Children’s Services https://www.jfcsmpls.org/our-services/senior-services/ 952-546-0616 JFCS offers services for older adults.

STEP provides new school supplies and backpacks to St. Louis Park children whose guardians cannot afford school supplies.

STEP accesses school supply lists from the local school district and packs bags accordingly. If children attend schools outside of St. Louis Park, parents are encouraged to provide a list at the time of registration and STEP will make every attempt to accommodate this list.

Registration is required

Registration information for school supplies and backpacks is typically provided in June. Registration closes in mid-August. Qualified recipients are St. Louis Park children entering grades K thru 12 in need of school supplies.

Holiday Food

STEP provides holiday food during the month of November as part of our food shelf experience. Interested parties must make a food shelf appointment for curbside pickup during the month of November.

Holiday Toy Program

St. Louis Park families with children can access STEP’s Holiday Toy Program. Registration information will be provided by November. Registration typically closes in early December.

Families outside of St. Louis Park can call the United Way 211 (651-291-0211) for information on Holiday Programs in the area.

Families living at Perspectives and Wayside will be served through their programs.