Prairie Five Community Action Council Inc

Prairie Five Community Action

Prairie Five is the "umbrella" agency that provide the overall leadership, policy guidance, coordination, and support necessary to successfully offer a wide array of essential services and actively contribute to local initiatives that are critical to building our community's capacity for positive change. Our agency was originally founded in 1965 as a 503c3 organization that provides services to the residence of the 5 counties we serve in Western Minnesota of Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift, Yellow Medicine counties. We pride ourselves on providing service for the youngest to the oldest of residents of our counties we serve.

Mission

Working Together to Strengthen the Quality of Life In Our Communities.

Vision

Together we can make a difference in the communities we serve and secure our communities future health and prosperity by ending hunger.

Prairie Five Services and Programs

Aging Well

• Medicare Counseling - We provide free, comprehensive, unbiased information and assistance about all Medicare options available to new and existing Medicare members. 
• Tablet Library and Technology Services - Prairie Five has wifi-enabled tablets available for check out to those 60+ in our service area and offers one-to-one user assistance.
• Age-Friendly Communities - This program connects older adults with resources that allow them to live independently in our rural area.

For more information about any of these, please call 320-226-8861.

Energy Assistance Program (E.A.P.)

It provides financial assistance to pay a portion of a household’s energy and heating bills. In addition, the program offers emergency assistance for utility disconnection, educates consumers to use home heating energy efficiently and safely, and provides emergency heating system repair or replacement for homeowners under the Energy Related Repair Program (ERR). For more information call us at 1-800-292-5437.

Prairie Five RIDES

We travel throughout the State of Minnesota into North and South Dakota offering a regional transportation program which serves the counties of Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift and Yellow Medicine and operate in the city systems of Appleton, Benson, Canby, Dawson, Granite Falls, Madison, Montevideo, and Ortonville. Costs vary. For more information or to schedule a local or regional ride, please call 1-877-757-4337.

Prairie Five Meals

We promote healthy and independent living through improved nutrition and social isolation. Congregate, home delivered, and frozen meals are available seven days a week in our 5-county service area. Call 320-269-9009 for more information.

Child Care Aware

Finding child care can be very challenging. Partnering with Child Care Aware of Minnesota, Prairie Five guides families with finding quality child care and supports child care providers through the licensing processes. For more information, please call 320-269-8727.

Outreach Offices

Our outreach offices are located in Ortonville (320-839-2111), Montevideo (320-269-6578), Madison (320-598-3027), Benson (320-842-8565), and Canby (507-223-5471).

• Food Shelves - Prairie Five operates four food shelves in our five-county area providing a temporary, emergency food supply.
• Clothing Centers - Prairie Five operates four clothing centers in our five-county area offering clean, usable clothing at a low cost.
• Loan Closets - There are three loan closets in our five-county area offering medical equipment for rent at a low monthly rental fee.

Housing Programs           

• Rehabilitation - Through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Rehabilitation (MHFA) program, income-based deferred loans can be made for basic and necessary home improvements.
• Weatherization Program - Helping to reduce the impact of rising energy costs through the installation of energy conserving measures: insulating, air sealing, and testing.

Emergency Services

• Transitional Housing Program - A long term housing program designed to help you regain self-sufficiency.
• Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program - Helps families or individuals get out of homelessness or prevent homelessness from occurring.
• Emergency Shelter Program - Assists persons in emergency housing situations.

Call 320-269-6578 for more information.

Head Start/ Early Head Start

These are comprehensive early childhood programs serving income eligible pregnant women and families with children up to 5 years old. Early Head Start includes weekly home visits with families teaching and partnering with them in the areas of child development, health mental health, family health, and development and family resources. Head Start is a center based preschool program for children 3-5 years old. Call 320-598-3118 for more information.

Early Learning Scholarships

An Early Learning Scholarship can help you pay for high-quality childcare and early education to help your child get ready for school. 800-292-5437 for information.