Program areas at Hastings Family Service
Emergency emergency assistance - Hastings Family Service provides grants and vouchers to individuals and families during emergencies. Grants and vouchers may be provided to assist with some expenses, such as housing, utilities, automobile repairs, gas, prescriptions, diapers, formula, and household items. In 2022, 193 grants totaling 42,385 were provided to families and 1,384 families received emergency bags and free shelf items. Food shelf (the market) - hfs provides a number of market food programs, including in-person market food shelf shopping appointments, a drive-thru food shelf option, and produce delivered weekly to senior living facilities through our market on the move mobile program. Neighbors can also receive smaller food orders through market express or emergency bags and can receive a voucher to a local grocery store to purchase items for specific dietary or cultural needs. The food shelf provided 362,768 pounds of food to 1,491 families and thanksgiving dinner to 125 families in 2022. Food shelf clients were also referred to other programs and resources, such as county assistance, food support, or other non-profits. Homelessness assistance - Hastings Family Service provides help with the emergency needs of those experiencing homelessness. In 2022, hfs provided assistance to 37 individuals experiencing homelessness.
Supportive meals on wheels - in partnership with allina health regina hospital, this program provides hot meals and a safety check for the elderly,people living with disabilities, and those recovering from surgery. In 2022, 15,331 meals were delivered to 138 seniors. Just friends - this is a transportation program utilizing volunteer drivers to help people get to medical appointments or grocery stores, creating connection and mobility to enhance the quality of life of people in the Hastings community. In 2022, volunteers provided 1,281 transports, logging 22,680 miles. Project share - families in need recieve food, gifts, and toys during the holidays. Businesses, churches, schools, and individuals make donations, fundraise, adopt families, host gift trees, and participate in toy and food drives to help their neighbors. In 2022, 194 families consisting of 748 individuals were served by project share. School supplies - hfs provides a backpack filled with school supplies at the beginning of the school year to children at all grade levels who are in need. In 2022, 233 students from 96 households received school supplies through this program. Clothing vouchers - hfs provides vouchers for clothing and household items from rivertown treasures to those who need assistance. In 2022, hfs provided vouchers valued at 36,238 to 342 families.
Community rivertown treasures - clean, seasonal, carefully inspected, gently used clothing and household items are available for sale to the public, and all store revenue supports hfs's programs. The entire inventory of rivertown treasures is donated by the community. Business center - hfs provides faxing, copying, use of a computer and phone free of charge for business purposes. Volunteers - hfs relies on volunteers to provide help and hope to its neighbors. Hfs is accredited through the points of light foundation Service enterprise and maintains that certification by using volunteers to carry out its mission effectively. Volunteers serve in both high-level and entry-level capacities, ultimately freeing up staff to focus on higher level strategic duties necessary to ensure hfs addresses the ongoing environmental changes in the Hastings community. In 2022, volunteers performed 23,239 hours of Service for hfs, equivalent to 11.2 fulltime employees.