Around the State
Willmar
The United Way of Kandiyohi County awarded LSS with the 2003
Outstanding Partner Agency award at their annual Campaign Celebration
February 5, 2004. This was the first time that the award has been given.
The event celebrated the United Way of Kandiyohi County surpassing their
campaign goal of $535,000 by $42,000 for 2003. LSS was selected because of
a commitment to partnership with the United Way of Kandiyohi County. LSS
staff assists in a variety of different ways during the campaign, from
speaking at donor events, to participating in United Way special projects.
St.
Cloud
The third annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser was held March 6 and 7, 2004 in
St. Cloud to benefit St. Cloud area food shelves and LSS youth programs.
The community and various artists created over 2,000 bowls for the event
at the Paramount Visual Art Center and in area schools. This year's
activities included a Bisque Bash Silent Auction and Party at the
Paramount Theater, and a Soup Sampler for the public the following day.
Guests received handcrafted bowls of their choice to take home as a
reminder that someone else's bowl is always empty.
St.
Paul
Safe House, the LSS emergency shelter for teenagers in St. Paul, reopened
January 31, five months after state budget cuts forced its closure. With a
$110,000 grant from Ramsey County Human Services, the six-bed facility in
the city's Merriam Park neighborhood again provides overnight shelter for
people ages 16 to 20 who face crisis situations. The 16-year-old facility
closed last August after state budget cuts created a $220,000 hole in its
$350,000 annual operating budget. The program still needs another $150,000
to cover expenses for the next 12 months, which LSS is seeking through
private donations.
