STEP - St. Louis Park Emergency Program

STEP serves families in the St. Louis Park community by providing for their basic needs. Each month, STEP has over 750 visits to our Food Shelf, each day serving up to 40 families and distributing over 2,000 pounds of food (including Kosher food). STEP works to provide other basis needs to families in a setting that is non-judgemental and welcoming. The core of STEP services are provided by licensed social workers trained to provide referrals, connect families with other resources and provide supportive counseling during crisis. On average, each month STEP serves 50 families that are using either STEP or any food shelf for the first time. About 70% of the households served have children and over 50% of the households have at least one adult that is employed. STEP is here for all St. Louis Park families that are struggling to provide for their own basic needs. Here are some of their stories: A young father with a baby visited STEP. He had lost his job, but his wife was working. The family had been coming to STEP once a month for food. Because STEP tries to be flexible whenever possible in order to help families, STEP’s social worker suggested that he come weekly for food because it was the family’s primary source of food. Recently a 76 year old woman called a STEP social worker crying because she could not pay her utilities or buy her insulin. She had one day left of insulin. Her health was compromised due to her stress about her finances and her shame about her situation. A medical clinic social worker referred her to STEP to help with her crisis. Her shame was so intense that she could not share the seriousness of her situation with her family. Her income was from a pension and social security - enough to make her mortgage and buy a few groceries. For years she charged her medications and shuffled credit card payments until she incurred massive credit card debt. STEP addressed her immediate needs for insulin and to pay her utilities. Financial counseling was recommended to address the complex issues of her debt. STEP’s challenge was to offer help and hope without causing additional emotional pain or shame. We greatly appreciate your donation towards STEP mission! Your support ensures that STEP will continue to provide for the needs of the St. Louis Park community.