The Minnesota Legislature included $3.3 million in the state budget this session to support the distribution of prepared meals to individuals who aren’t able to participate in other state and federal meal programs.

Dawn Shykes, LSS senior director of children, youth and families in Duluth, appeared on PBS Almanac North on June 2 to share how the work of LSS is making a difference for youth experiencing homelessness and how the community can help.

With news of layoffs at major Minnesota companies recently, the Star Tribune connected with Kim Miller in LSS Financial Counseling to seek guidance for Minnesotans who have experienced a job loss. Read the story.

Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota are affiliated organizations seeking foster parents to partner with them in caring for children and youth in need. If you are interested in making a direct difference in children’s lives, consider becoming a foster parent.

During 2022, an estimated 11,200 children and youth experienced out-of-home care, according to the most recent information available through the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

“I joined the Senior Companion family eight years ago. I love being with older adults and knew this is what I wanted to do after I retired,” shared Deb Doran, a Senior Companion volunteer. LSS Senior Companion volunteers are age 55 and older and visit older adults weekly offering encouragement, sharing their time and talents, assisting with errands, grocery shopping and transportation to appointments to assist older adults in remaining healthy and independent. Read more in the Tri-County News.

Minnesotans can get pre-packaged frozen meals shipped right to their door. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota launched its Meals to Go program in 2019. Senior Director of LSS Meals Kristin Quenzer says the frozen meals have grown in popularity and they are now shipping over 2,000 meals each week. Check out the report on WJON radio.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is seeking respite volunteers to help family caregivers get breaks in their routine. Volunteers can offer older adults opportunities to maintain social connections, an important aspect of healthy aging that becomes difficult for people with dementia or mobility limitations. Read more about volunteering in the West Central Tribune story.

When Lashanique Griffin was growing up, life was hard. Sometimes she would sleep in her car because her home life wasn’t safe or stable, she recalls. “I wasn’t taking care of myself,” she said. “The REACH helped me put myself first.”  Read more about The Reach, a program of Lutheran Social Service in Mankato, in a feature story in the Mankato Free Press and how you can help.