Stepping Stones provides food and shelter for people in need in Dunn County. They have a variety of programs to serve the needs of people from young children to the elderly. These programs are the Food Pantry Program, Shelter Program, and Community Connections Program.
Stepping Stones mission:
"People helping people strengthen the Dunn County community by providing food, shelter and support".
This mission is supported with their values:
Justice and Sustainability:
- All people have the right to nutritious food, adequate housing, and other needed support services.
- Sufficient resources exist in our community to provide supportive services and prevent hunger and homelessness.
- Stepping Stones advocates for the just and equitable sharing of resources.
- Stepping Stones is committed to the sustainable use of resources, including economic, environmental, and personal resources to assure their availability and abundance in the present and the future.
Community:
- Individuals reach their full potential, and achieve balance and wellness through connections to community.
- Stepping Stones’ services provide bridges to community, to stability, and to self-sufficiency.
- Community is fostered by nurturing inclusivity and diversity.
Compassionate Work and Service:
- The effectiveness, talent, and commitment of volunteers and staff are critical to the success of Stepping Stones’ mission.
- Staff must be equipped to accomplish their responsibilities, and provided with just compensation.
- Clients, volunteers, and staff cooperate to create a caring, respectful, trusting atmosphere and to engage in work that is mutually rewarding.
- Work and service spaces that are pleasant, well maintained, and suited to the needs of the service will best facilitate Stepping Stones’ mission.
The Food Pantry Program
The Stepping Stones Food Pantry provides food and personal care items to low income residents of Dunn County. Canned and packaged non-perishables are distributed as well as fresh or frozen food such as bread, dairy, produce and meat .If you have a need for emergency food, you can visit the pantry and pick out food that your family will eat. You can visit the pantry as often as you need to. Stepping Stones also offers produce boxes during the growing season. They also provide food to rural areas and food boxes and meals-on-wheels to seniors. For kids they provide weekend food boxes to supplement school lunch programs. Currently the pantry averages 1,400 visits per month.
Eligibility for the Pantry
No one is ever turned away, however, recommended eligibility guidelines are that you are a Dunn County resident and your income is below 185% of the federal poverty level. Income guidelines are based on household size and are adjusted each year by the federal government. If you are eligible for Food Support (food stamps) you are eligible to use the pantry. If you have questions contact Kris Pawlowski, Pantry Coordinator ([email protected])
Pantry Hours
Mondays 11 am – 2 pm
Tuesdays 3 – 6 pm
Wednesdays 3 – 6 p
Thursdays 11 am – 2 pm
Fridays 11 am – 2 pm
Saturdays 10 am – 12 noon
Sundays – Closed
Clients are asked to come at least 15 minutes prior to closing so you can complete your shopping in time.
The Shelter Program
The Stepping Stones Shelter Program provides emergency shelter, housing assistance, and referral services. The two shelters have five furnished apartments for individuals or families. During their stay, residents work closely with shelter staff to secure affordable housing, to find or maintain employment, and to access resources to become self-sufficient. From mid-November through March the Stout Road shelter operates as Winter Haven for up to 10 adults per night. This allows Stepping Stones to accommodate more people during the coldest time of the year but requires overnight staffing by volunteers.
Shelter locations are: 1920 South Broadway and 1518 Stout Road.
If you would like to help with the shelter, please contact: [email protected]
The Community Connections Program
The Community Connections Program connects volunteers to neighbors to provide free supportive services which often enable people to live independently longer. These services include transportation, shopping, yard work, companionship, and small home repairs. The Program also provides direct assistance to people in emergency financial need when funding is available, as well as referrals to other community services.
Stepping Stones does much of their work with the help of many community volunteers.
If you would like to become a volunteer or student volunteer, visit the Community Connections Program Page: Community Connections
Donations:
Stepping Stones relies on donations from stakeholders. It is most financially stable when many people offer support by giving what they can. Now donors have the ability to give online now at Stepping Stones. Donors can do a one time gift or set up an automatic monthly donation if they wish. Contributions in honor of a special occasion or an individual, or given as a memorial are welcome and are recognized in the quarterly newsletter. Due to their status as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization, all contributions are tax deductible.
To donate online: Donate Now
Stepping Stones programs all have ongoing need lists. Please consider donating these items if you have extra or wouldn’t mind adding them to your shopping list.
Most needed items for the Food Pantry:
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Peanut butter & jelly
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Canned meats (tuna and chicken)
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Boxed dinners (Hamburger Helper, Macaroni & Cheese)
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Spaghetti sauce & pasta
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Rice, dry beans
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Breakfast cereals
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(low sugar & oatmeal)
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Pancake mix & syrup
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Canned fruits & vegetables Canned soup, chili, stew
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Juice
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Baby food
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Bath soap, shampoo, conditioner
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Toothbrushes & toothpaste
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Tampons & maxi pads
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Toilet tissue & Kleenex
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Diapers, baby wipes
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Laundry detergent
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Dish soap
Most Needed Items for the Stout Road Building:
- Copy paper (any color)
- Garbage bags, any size
- Green cleaning supplies
- Brooms, mops
- Gallon size plastic plant pots (for Garden Tour plant sales)
- Ground coffee, creamer & sugar packets
Most needed items for the Shelters:
- $10 ‘fuel only’ gas cards (any place local)
- $10 Burger King or Culvers’ gift cards (for people staying at Winter Haven)
- Bath & kitchen towels (new or gently used)
- Twin & Queen size flat & fitted sheets and pillow cases
- Manual can openers & other basic kitchen utensils
- Mops, brooms & basic cleaning supplies
- Personal care products
- Diapers
- Family friendly DVDs
- Movie tickets & bowling passes
If you plan to deliver a large quantity of food (more than a few bags) please call ahead to make sure we have volunteers available to help receive it. Preferred donation times are during or just before Food Pantry opens.
What Cannot Be Donated?
Food safety regulations prevent us from accepting home baked, cooked, canned or preserved items and refrigerated or frozen foods from individuals. Meat (including venison) can be accepted only directly from a food retailer or meat processor.
Contact Information:
1602 Stout Rd, Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: 715-235-5741
Stepping Stones of Dunn County
