Crow Wing County Community Services and Crow Wing Energized reminds residents access to healthy food is still available even though they are encouraged to remain at home because of the coronavirus.
Residents can search for their nearest food pantry or grocer on the Crow Wing Energized Website-COVID-19 resources page at http://crowwingenergized.org/covid-19 .
Some local grocery stores have special shopping hours for seniors and those with disabilities. Please use a credit or debit card to pay as a more sanitary option for consumers and staff.
Costco: Open from 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday for members 60 years old and older, and those with physical impairments. (Pharmacy is open during this time, but the food court is closed.)
Walmart: Senior shopping hour every Tuesday for customers 60 years old to occur an hour before the store opens (includes pharmacy and vision centers). No-Contact pickup and delivery ordering of groceries available online or in app anytime.
Cub Foods: Health care professionals, first-responders, elderly and high-risk customers can shop from 6 to 7 a.m. Cub has online shopping and grocery delivery. Available delivery hours may vary. Delivery times are chosen at checkout.
Aldi: Store opens at 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and reserves the first hour for vulnerable shoppers including senior citizens, expectant mothers and those with underlying health conditions.
Target: Store reserves the first business hour Tuesdays and Wednesdays for elderly shoppers and those with underlying health concerns and is partnering with CVS to have the pharmacy open.
SuperOne Foods: Store reserves business hours up until 8 a.m. for those who are at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19.
Those unable to access any of the resources above and have no other safe means to access food can call community services from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at 218-824-1140 to speak to someone about possible food options.
For some, the loss of income is the largest barrier to meeting their food needs. Those facing such circumstances can seek help from public assistance programs, including:
Minnesota Family Investment Program, cash assistance for families, 218-824-1250.
Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program for food purchases for families and individuals, 218-824-1250.
Cash assistance for individuals over 18 years of age with no children, and with no or limited resources, 218-824-1250.
Women Infants Children, a supplemental food and nutrition program for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and children under age 5 who have a nutritional risk, 218-824-1073.
