Make a Local Impact: Donate to Help Fight Hunger in Our Community

Donors are integral to sustaining our programs. Through the generous contributions of our community, we are able to provide food and support to more than 750 households each month.

DONATE FOOD + ITEMS

MONETARY DONATIONS

Monetary Donations Go a Long Way

When you make a monetary donation to CAER, your contribution goes a long way—likely further than you think. In addition to using financial gifts to purchase food in bulk, we have connections with local food banks and discount food distributors that really make a difference. Those relationships allow us to stretch every $1 donated into 3 meals worth of food. So, when we say every dollar matters, we truly mean it.

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Why Give Financially?

Every dollar you donate helps us provide nutritious meals to our neighbors in need. Your generosity fuels our mission to ensure no one in our community goes to bed hungry.

While food donations are vital, financial contributions allow us to do even more. With monetary donations, CAER can:

Stretch your dollar: Thanks to partnerships with food banks and wholesalers, we can turn every $1 into 3 meals.
Fill in the gaps: We can purchase fresh produce, dairy, and culturally relevant foods that are often missing from traditional donations.
Respond quickly: Financial gifts help us respond more quickly to urgent needs, whether it’s a family in crisis or a sudden increase in demand.

The Impact of Your Gift

Your financial gift directly supports:

Groceries for families facing food insecurity
Emergency food bags for individuals in crisis
Nutrition programs for children and seniors
Community outreach partnerships, including emergency financial assistance for families facing eviction

Ways to Give

If you have questions, we’re here to help. Email us at info@caerfoodshelf.org or call 763.441.1020 to learn more about how your financial gift makes a difference.

Ready to make a difference?

DONATE SECURELY ONLINE

We offer flexible giving options to match your goals and lifestyle, including:

One-Time Gift

Make an immediate impact with a single donation. Every dollar counts.

Monthly Giving

Join our CAER Partners, a community of monthly donors that sustain our work year-round. Even $10 each month provides 40 meals.

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

Simplify your giving. Recommend a grant from your DAF to support families facing food insecurity in our community.

Tribute Giving

Honor a loved one with a gift in their name. We’ll send a personalized card on your behalf.

Workplace Giving & Matching

Double your impact. Many employers match charitable donations. Check with your company’s HR department.

Legacy & Planned Giving

Leave a lasting legacy of compassion. Include us in your will or estate plan to help those in need.

Donate Food + Items

We gratefully accept a variety of food and other household necessities to give to community members in need. From non-perishables to school supplies, these everyday items make a significant impact on the lives of others.

ITEMS WE ACCEPT

DONATION HOURS

MOST NEEDED ITEMS

DONATION SHOPPING LIST

SCHOOL SUPPLY SHOPPING LIST

“We didn’t know where our next meal would come from. The food shelf gave us more than food—it gave us hope.”

— A grateful neighbor

Get Involved Beyond Giving

Want to do more? Volunteer, host a fundraiser, or organize a food drive! Check out other ways to get involved.

GET INVOLVED

Annual Reports & Financial Statements

CAER Food Shelf, also known as Community Aid Elk River, is a 501(c)3 organization. Our tax-exempt identification number is 41-1415484.

Our annual reports provide a comprehensive summary of outreach efforts over the past several years, including information on financial contributions and funds allocation, food and product sources, program updates, and more.