Hometown Resource Center

The Hometown Resource Center Gives Back Every Day - Now It's Your Turn

The Hometown Resource Center (formerly Southeast Minnesota Rural Education and Resource Center) first opened its doors in St. Charles, Minnesota, on December 16th, 1986. The Center was one of six throughout the state. Today, the Resource Center in St. Charles is the last remaining Center of its kind. The other five have closed over the years, due to financial constraints and other reasons. In St. Charles, however, the Resource Center’s staff, volunteers and supporters are still dedicated to helping everyone they can. What was once a place for farmers experiencing hardship to seek assistance has now grown into something much more: an entity that strives to support its community and area residents in every way possible.

The Resource Center originally included a food shelf (which is still available for those in need) and served as a place for farmers who had fallen upon hard times to seek assistance. In 1989, the Center opened a thrift shop, which now includes everything from clothing and household necessities to appliances, toys, decorations and more. With the generous community support, the Center has continued to grow and offer more resources for the people in need.

The Center collects school supplies for local children prior to the beginning of the school year, and collaborates with the St. Charles School District to offer the St. Charles Weekend Backpack Food Program, which helps provide area children and their families with meals and nutrition during over the weekend. The Center also partners with other community members and churches to offer much more for area families, including  the monthly Food for Families program, which offers food to all in need.

In addition, the Resource Center offers assistance to people  struggling to pay for their electricity, heat or gas bills, and provides emergency services in times of tragedy such as a fire or the flood of 2007. There are many other programs and initiatives available at the Center, made possible only by its community’s generosity. Thanks to the continued support of organizations like United Way and many others, the Resource Center is able to give assistance where it is most needed. 

To learn more about the Resource Center, to make a donation or to learn about becoming a volunteer, visit their building at 1244 Whitewater Ave in St. Charles., MN

Thank you for supporting the Hometown Resource Center and, in turn, supporting your neighbors and friends in need.