Friends in the Kitchen (FIK) will celebrate its one-year anniversary Thursday, August 8.

Over the past 12 months, FIK presenter Evelyn Fowler of Winsted, and assistant Janna Stigen of Cokato have presented 36 recipes, taste-tested by participants.

Friends in the Kitchen is a free program offered by Lutheran Social Services to anyone age 55 and older. There is no fee to attend.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is seeking volunteers to help meet an increasing need to provide respite to caregivers. As the population of older Minnesotans grows, so does interest in this service.

This service offers an opportunity for caring individuals to share their skills, meet new people and make a direct difference in people’s lives.

Elaina Johannessen, a program director with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Financial Counseling, offered her expertise on raising and maintaining credit scores. 

Both FICO and VantageScore, the two major credit scoring companies, put the most importance on timely payments. A payment that is 30 or more days late can damage your score immediately, causing it to drop by as much as 100 points. You may also be socked with a late fee by your lender or credit card issuer.

Housing advocates and officials across the metro are boosting efforts to raise awareness of the need for Section 8 housing, including attempts to recruit more landlords who will accept the vouchers. 

“When occupancy rates are as high as they are right now, owners don’t feel as obligated to rent to somebody that has some type of rental subsidy,” said St. Louis Park housing supervisor Michele Schnitker, so the city has had to find ways to partner with landlords. “We’ve been successful in that.”

More than 20,000 people are eligible for the annual Cares Awards from the Association of Residential Resources of Minnesota, and less than 100 are nominated.

This year, one of those nominated works right here in Bemidji.

Carrie Melbie planned to represent herself Monday morning when she showed up at the Olmsted County courthouse with an eviction notice.

Instead, she met Brian Lipford, an attorney with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, who helped represent her regarding an eviction claim by her landlord.

Camp Noah headed to Redding, California to help kids local kids who experienced the Northern California wildfires process their feelings, learn coping skills and build resiliency.

According to Katie Swartz, who oversees Camp Noah, about half the children at Redding’s Camp Noah lost homes in the Carr Fire, and about 90 percent were directly impacted by the fire.

For 66 years, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota's Camp Knutson outside of Crosslake has been known for its charitable camps for children and families in special circumstances. From heart conditions, skin conditions, autism and Down syndrome, Camp Knutson is a special place for campers to congregate for a fun time.

Nearly a year after the Carr Fire hit Northern California, people are still rebuilding and healing.

Camp Noah, which helps kids heal from trauma, came to Shasta County because of the Carr Fire.

"Without this, these kids would tend to keep it inside if they don't have a parent or loved one to talk to," said the camp's mental health professional Hal Ledbetter.

Read more and watch the video at KRCR News. 

In a recent article about the history of Minnesota’s vibrant Somali community, LSS Chief Family Services Officer Maureen Warren discussed the qualities that draw immigrants to Minnesota.