also been plenty of people served from Maplewood, North Saint Paul, Mahtomedi, and other places in and around the northeast metro.
The increased need, of course, means that The White Bear Area Food Shelf is working to expand its financial support. Financial donations are needed, as are more volunteers. Several fundraising events are planned in 2025. Details can be found on the organization’ s website: Whitebearfoodshelf. org
Special Needs 1) Monetary donations. For every $ 1 donated, the White Bear Area Food Shelf can buy $ 6 worth of food. Donations can be made online here: Whitebearfoodshelf. giv. sh / 86ec
2) Food donations. Most wanted list can be found at Whitebearfoodshelf. org / food-donations
3) Volunteers. More information can be found here: Whitebearfoodshelf. org / volunteer
White Bear Area Food Shelf 1884 Whitaker Street White Bear Lake, MN 55110 Phone: 651-407-5310 Email: info @ whitebearfoodshelf. org
Curbside Pick-Up Food Shelf Hours Monday & Tuesday, 4 p. m. – 7 p. m. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 11 a. m. – 2 p. m.
Thursday, Free Farmer’ s Markets during the summer – various times and locations
Saturday & Sunday, Closed
Outdoor Donation Hours Monday & Tuesday, 9 a. m. – 6 p. m. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 9 a. m. – 2 p. m. Saturday & Sunday, Closed
Community Market Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 1 p. m.- 4 p. m. 2446 County Road F East White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Hammer & NER
It has now been two years since the metro’ s largest programs that support people with disabilities merged, and things are going very well for Hammer & NER.“ We really solidified our merger in 2024, and now function as one organization with a presence on both sides of town,” said John Estrem, Hammer & NER’ s CEO.
The nonprofit’ s mission is to provide people with intellectual and other disabilities the opportunity to live life to its fullest. The goal is accomplished by providing residents with housing, access to support staff, and opportunities to get out in the community.
In 2024, Hammer & NER had 59 group homes in the east and west metro area, along with nine apartment programs that house 360 people. Much of the funding needed to support the nonprofit’ s programs is provided by the State of Minnesota.
“ We raise about $ 1.8 million a year for what we call our Quality of Life fund to supplement what the government pays to support individuals. The government calls these extras, but we say they are critical to living a quality life,” said Estrem.
Every year, a significant amount of the funds needed to pay for the extras comes from the“ Reach for Ralph” fundraiser. The 2024 event, which raised around $ 338,000, took place at Quincy Hall in northeast Minneapolis.
Estrem said the additional funds are used to pay for things like dentist visits not covered by Medicaid, and more comfortable wheelchairs, but that’ s not all.“ Last year, we used Quality of Life funds to pay for four women who are residents of one of our group homes, and a staff member, to get tickets for a Shania Twain concert. They went and had a great, great time! There’ s no way we could have sent them without the help of our generous donors.”
The 2025“ Reach for Ralph” fundraiser will be held on June 26, 2025, from 5:30 p. m. to 9 p. m. at the New Metropolitan Ballroom located at 5418 Wayzata Boulevard, Golden Valley, MN 55416.
Ralph was a lovable boy who had a disability few people understood in the 1920s. Most people believed the boy should have been placed in an institution, but Hammer Residences’ founder Alvina Hammer offered a caring environment instead, the first Hammer school. Today, Ralph represents individuals with differing abilities who thrive, living the life they deserve with compassionate care in their communities. For more information about“ Reach for Ralph,” to become a Hammer & NER volunteer, or for more information about the organization in general, go to: Hammer. org
Hammer & NER – East Metro 2539 County Road E East White Bear Lake, MN 55110 651-765-0217
Hammer & NER- West Metro 1909 Wayzata Blvd. Wayzata, MN 55391 952-473-1261
Quality of Life Fund
Hammer & NER’ s Quality of Life Fund: This fund is a resource for individuals served, especially those whose families cannot help them financially. Contributing to this fund is one way to ensure that all of those served have the resources to live full lives. 250 requests each year are granted thanks to donations.
24 Northeast Metro Business