What We Do
Stepping Stones is a place where the community can come together to take care of its own.
Stepping Stones Fosters Community
Many do not realize homelessness and food insecurity are an issue in Menomonie. Stepping Stones provides services to help counter these issues.
OUR INITIATIVES
Senior Commodity Boxes (CSFP)
Stepping Stones distributes monthly senior commodity boxes to low-income seniors at risk for food insecurity. CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) aims to supplement seniors (60+) with nutritious food. These meal boxes typically include canned fruit or veggies, a protein, grains, and dairy. This is an income-based program and seniors must be approved before receiving these commodity boxes.To see if you qualify, contact:Mai Nou 715-235-2920 x 208 m.hang@steppingstonesdc.org
SAM
(Share-A-Meal)
Project SAM (Share-A-Meal) is our weekend kids' meal program. Similar to 'backpack' programs throughout the country, bags of ready-to-eat and easy to prepare food is provided to school children at risk of hunger on the weekends. Stepping Stones began this program in Fall 2012 with 100 students at one school. Now, SAM has grown to more than 300 children at ten local schools, serving children and youth from Head Start through high school. The program continues throughout the summer with around 75 children with distribution occurring at summer school and through Menomonie's Boys & Girls Club.
For more information:
Angela Wolf
Farmers Feed Dunn County
This program builds on Stepping Stones' long tradition and mission of facilitating "people helping people" with a particular focus on partnering with farmers in the region. The Dunn County region has a rich and diverse agricultural tradiion. Dairy products, meats of all kinds, fruits and vegetables, honey, maple syrup, eggs, and more are all produced throughout the Dunn County region. Stepping Stones is partnering with some of our Dunn County farmer/producers with a goal of getting regular supply of local, fresh food onto the tables of our neighbors facing food insecurity. Read More.
Whole Community Foods
The Stepping Stones Whole Community Foods Initiative was introduced during the Spring of 2022 to provide culturally relevant foods to those who need it. The pandemic made it much more difficult to accommodate personal food preferences and the ability to choose food that suits specific diets. A grant from the Community Foundation has allowed Stepping Stones to stock food items that are commonly found in the diets of Hmong, Hispanic/Latino, and other underserved communities. These items are available to everyone.
101 Classes
Our Shelter Manager runs several classes, both at our shelter and the Dunn County Jail, to learn and understand skills not often covered. Classes offered:
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Adulting - This is a 10-12 part course that goes over many topics including: developing friendships, mental wellness, when you seek medical care, how to keep housing, car maintenance, and so much more.
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Housing - This class focuses on the struggles people face finding and maintaining housing. It also includes sections on evictions, programs, and services people may qualify for and much more.
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Relationships - This is an 8 part class designed to look at relationships with ourselves and relationships with others. We address common topics of self love, deal breakers, communication, codependency, divorce, and so much more.
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If you are interested or have questions, please call us at 715-235-2920 ex. 203 or email h.hooten@steppingstonesdc.org.