For more than five decades, Neighbors, Inc. has quietly held down the corner of 222 Grand Avenue West in South St. Paul. What began as a grassroots movement among local churches to feed and clothe neighbors after the meat-packing stockyards decentralized has grown into something even more meaningful: a trusted anchor for people who need a hand and a hub for those who want to help.
Now in its 53rd year, Neighbors serves thousands in Dakota County with hunger relief, clothing assistance, and growing support services through its Financial Empowerment Center. It’s one of only five food shelves in the county, but what makes it just a bit different is the level of dignity built into every offering.
“Neighbors will always be a place where people can turn to for food and clothing,” says Cody Semo, Community Engagement Coordinator. “But now we’re expanding the ways we support people, through job training, career exploration, and financial education.”
A New Model of Support
Walk through Neighbors’ doors on any given weekday, and you’ll find volunteers sorting through fresh vegetables, shoppers selecting canned goods from a grocery-style layout, and visitors browsing clothing racks in the on-site thrift store. But what may surprise you is what’s upstairs: a career support center dedicated to workforce development and financial empowerment.
Inside the Financial Empowerment Center, visitors can meet with job counselors, work on resumes, explore career paths, prepare for interviews, and receive free short-term training through local community colleges. The center also helps with job applications and offers support services for people looking to stabilize or change their work situation. It’s a natural extension of the nonprofit’s mission: helping people excel, not just get by.
“Career support doesn’t replace our mission to provide hunger relief,” Cody says. “But it gives people another path forward.”
Helping Hands, Full Hearts
Cody knows firsthand what it means to find purpose in helping others. Born and raised in South St. Paul, he lives within walking distance of Neighbors. After spending years in corporate purchasing, he made the leap to nonprofit work when a marketing role opened up at Neighbors.
“I was behind a computer all day, and something was missing,” he says. “Now I get to work with people and be part of something that helps my community every single day.”
He’s not alone. Neighbors has more than 200 active volunteers (meaning they’ve worked at least one shift in the past year). From stocking shelves to assisting shoppers, opportunities exist for every type of personality.
“There’s something for extroverts, introverts, students, retirees, you name it,” Cody says. “And we have opportunities available at night and on the weekends. Volunteers are the heart and hands of what we do.”
Fighting Hunger with Dignity
Neighbors operates a choice-model food shelf, which allows guests to select their own groceries based on their needs and preferences. “Instead of handing someone a bag of random items,” Cody explains, “we let them pick from categories, just like you would at a regular store.”
Each guest is allowed one full shop per month and can visit additional food access programs like the Neighbors' Nook, which doesn’t require an appointment. There are also nine community distribution sites across Dakota County that bring relief closer to those who might not be able to visit in person.
The demand, however, is growing.
“Utility and grocery costs are climbing. And unfortunately, the need isn’t going away,” says Cody. “We wish we could work ourselves out of a job, but that’s just not the case.”
Most hunger relief efforts are supported by individual donations and faith-based organizations. Neighbors purchases food in bulk from groups like Second Harvest Heartland and The Food Group, and also “rescues” food daily from grocery chains such as Cub, Walmart, and Target.
“We do everything we can to avoid waste,” Cody says. “We’re there daily, collecting overstock and items nearing expiration to get them to people who can use them.”
Giving Back and Getting Involved
Neighbors relies on its local community, not just for donations, but also for visibility and connection. “We show up at events. We talk to business owners. We get involved because we live here, too,” Cody says.
People often ask how they can help. The truth is, any contribution, whether it be time, money, or even word of mouth, can make a difference.
Financial gifts are used efficiently, especially since the organization purchases food at deeply discounted prices through nonprofit partnerships. Volunteering can be as simple as a two-hour shift once a month. And for those who want to make a bigger commitment, Neighbors offers year-round opportunities for groups, individuals, and families.
“Even the smallest time commitments can really add up,” Cody says. “We become a second family to our volunteers.”
A Safe Place to Land
Most people who walk through Neighbors’ doors aren’t looking for handouts. They’re looking for help. They’re trying to figure out how to put food on the table, dress their children for winter, or move one step closer to a better job.
And if you’re in a position to give back? The door is open for you, too.
To donate, volunteer, or learn more, visit www.neighborsmn.org or stop by the building at 222 Grand Avenue West in South St. Paul.
“We wish we could work ourselves out of a job, but the need keeps growing every week.”
“Even the smallest time commitments can really add up. We become a second family to our volunteers. One shift at a time.”