Volunteer Projects:

ORGANIZATION: Bridging                     

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY: CCA volunteers prepare donated items for use by needy families(sort and put silverware, dishes and bedding sets together, assemble dresser kits and clean furniture before client pickup), load and unload trucks, and whatever else needs to be done. Alternatives available for CCA volunteers with restrictions.

LOCATION: 201 W. 87th Street, Bloomington, MN 55420

DAYS AND TIMES: Fourth Tuesday of each month from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL CCA VOLUNTEER IMPACT: Groups of 3 to 5 volunteered 235 hours in fiscal 2019 to help Bridging clients transition from homelessness.

ABOUT BRIDGING:

• Through the effective reuse of donated items, Bridging improves lives by providing quality furniture and household goods to those transitioning out of homelessness. Bridging serves more 4,500 households annually. The average value of the home furnishings and essentials provided to a family is $1,800 (thrift store value). More than half of the individuals served are under the age of 17 and 87% of clients have a household income of less than $20,000/year.
• By accepting quality, gently used items, Bridging diverts 200,000 pounds from the landfill each week (10 million pounds/year).
• Website: https://www.bridging.org/
• Individual Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.bridging.org/engage/volunteer/

CCA PROJECT LEAD/CONTACT:

Gene Van't Hof: 612.877.0533        email: gvantof@comcast.net

ORGANIZATION:  The Food Group                                                       Back to Top

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY: Repackage donated food into smaller boxes or packages to be distributed to TFG's network of hunger relief organizations; sort and remove damaged, perishable and nonfood items that have been donated; package special foods packs for specific programs such as Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

LOCATION: 8501 54^th Ave. N. New Hope

DAYS AND TIMES: First Wednesday of the month (unless a holiday) from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL CCA VOLUNTEER IMPACT: In fiscal 2019, CCA members volunteered 346 hours to pack food that goes to food shelfs and other hunger relief organizations.

ABOUT THE FOOD GROUP:

• For more than 40 years, TFG has worked to provide good foods to those who need it most. TFG focuses on local food access, equity and nutrition issues related to food and hunger in more than 32 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and works on both ends of the food system from production to distribution.
• TFG also partners with 170 food shelves and meal programs too offer distribution of food, bulk purchasing, nutrition education and resources, capacity building support, and culturally equitable food and resources.
• TFG also has a traveling nutritious grocery store, which makes monthly stops at 37 distribution sites across the Twin Cities and greater MN to offer fresh produce and quality meats with discounts up to 30 percent off retail prices.
• TFG's BIG RIVER Farms creates market opportunities for participating farmers.
• Website: https://thefoodgroupmn.org
• Individual Volunteer Opportunities: https://thefoodgroupmn.org/get-involved/volunteer/

CCA POJECT LEAD/CONTACT:

John Tschumperlin:  952.472.4465     email: tschump@aol.com

ORGANIZATION:  Feed My Starving Children                                     Back to Top      

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY: Pack specially-formulated MannaPack^TM meals - measure ingredients, then fill, weigh, seal and box the bags for shipment. 

LOCATIONS: FMSC Sites at Coon Rapids (401 93^rd Ave. NW, 55433) and Chanhassen (18732 Lake Dr. E., 55317); and at the annual Northwest MetroMobile Pack at 11611 Business Park Blvd., Champlin 55316 (Egan Building)

DAYS AND TIMES: Annually, two shifts are scheduled at the Coon Rapids site (March and October) and two shifts at the Chanhassen site (June and July). Shifts are 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. In addition, CCA participates in one two-hour shift during the annual Northwest Metro MobilityPack in February.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL CCA VOLUNTEER IMPACT: In fiscal 2019, CCA members logged 486 hours that helped reduce the number of starving children throughout the world.

ABOUT FMSC: 

• Feed My Starving Children coordinates the packaging and distribution of food to people in developing nations. Since 1987, it has reached more than 70 countries. Annually, hunger still causes nearly half of deaths in children under 5 years old. An estimated 6,200+ children die each day from causes related to malnutrition.
• FMSC works to deliver food to hard-to-reach people and places. FMSC works with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development.
• FMSC meal formulas were developed by food science and nutrition professionals, including one from Cargill, to supplement nutritional needs and reduce problems with malnutrition.
• FMSC is a Christian non-profit.
• Website: https://www.fmsc.org/
• Individual Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.fmsc.org/get-involved/volunteer-info
  

CCA PROJECT LEAD/CONTACT INFORMATION:

Larry Knutson:  952.228.1819           email:  LarryKnutson@hotmail.com

ORGANIZATION:  Habitat for Humanity                                Back to Top 

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY:  Home construction from foundations to final trim at home build sites. CCA also works in the panel plant framing walls during the winter and spring. CCA provides construction workers, crew leaders and general labor.

LOCATION: Various sites in the Metro Twin Cities area. 

DATES AND TIMES: Volunteer times - September and October (Cargill-sponsored build): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Other months: Second Wednesday and fourth Tuesday each month, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please volunteer ahead of time in order to ensure proper waivers are completed prior to arriving at the site.

ANNUAL CCA ESTIMATED VOLUNTEER IMPACT: In 2019, CCA volunteers devoted 1,901 hours to H4H and provided a family with a finished house in Minneapolis. At the average construction laborer hourly wage in Minneapolis, these hours are valued at more than $45,000.

ABOUT H4H: 

• Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Habitat’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat focusses on shelter while promoting dignity and hope, supporting sustainable and transformative development and advocating for affordable housing.
• Housing insecurity touches nearly half of adults in the United States at some point in their lives. Most Americans believe that it is challenging to find affordable quality housing in their communities. More than half of all adults say they have made at least one trade-off in order to cover their rent or mortgage, including taking second jobs, cutting back on health care and healthy food, and moving to less safe neighborhoods.
• Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization.
• Website: https://www.habitat.org/
• Individual Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.tchabitat.org/volunteer/individual

CCA PROJECT LEAD/CONTACT INFORMATION:

Tom Sasman: 763.218.7627             email: tomsasman@gmail.com

Mike Lilly: 763.546.9665                   email: michaellill00@gmail.com

ORGANIZATION:  Hope Academy                                                Back to Top

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY: Teams of CCA volunteers use their expertise in science, math or language skills to tutor Hope Academy students in preparation for the ACT college exam. 

LOCATION:  2300 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis

DATES AND TIMES: Specific dates are determined each fall, spring and summer but, typically, in the Fall and Spring tutoring are each from 8:30-9:30 am on Thursdays for about 8 weeks (mid-September to mid-November and April and May) and Summer Tutoring is from 11:30-1:30, 4 days/week for 4 weeks. Each volunteer does not need to attend every day that tutoring is offered.

ANNUAL CCA ESTIMATED VOLUNTEER IMPACT: Volunteer hours totaled 111 in fiscal 2019. The following are the average percentile increases tutored students obtained in their ACT scores from PreACT test scores:

Improved ACT scores help students be more competitive for scholarships and better prepared to be successful in college

ABOUT HOPE ACADEMY:

• Hope Academy was established to help prepare Minneapolis’ next generation of servant leaders. It equips students within the inner-city neighborhoods of Minneapolis with core knowledge to deal purposefully and responsibly with the complex issues of living in the present society.
• Hope Academy is and inter-denominational Christian school, working for justice, economic opportunity, racial harmony, hope for the family, and joy in the community.
• Website: http://hopeschool.org
• Individual Volunteer Opportunities: http://hopeschool.org/volunteer/           

CCA PROJECT LEAD/CONTACT INFORMATION:

Mike Lilly: 763.546.9665                 email: michaellilly00@gmail.com

ORGANIZATION: Prodeo Academy                                                  Back to Top

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY: Small group projects completing various behind-the-scenes activities and odd-jobs to support the work teachers do. This includes labeling and sorting books, making flash cards, “grading” donated books, organizing supplies, putting up shelves, admin support, creating charts, preparing Literacy Night packets, Organizing and replenishing “buckets” of school supplies for each grade, etc.

LOCATION:  620 Olson Memorial Highway, Minneapolis 55411 (near the Minneapolis downtown farmers’ market)

DATES AND TIMES:

Small group projects are scheduled for the last Wednesday of the month during the school year (September through May) from 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

ANNUAL CCA ESTIMATED VOLUNTEER IMPACT: This was a new opportunity for CCA in 2016. In fiscal 2019, CCA volunteers in a small team of 6 to 8, worked 97 hours behind-the-scenes on activities and odd-jobs to support the work teachers do.

ABOUT PRODEO: 

• Prodeo Academy is a college preparatory school that develops students to be critical thinkers and intelligent leaders, expanding their opportunities to contribute positively and productively to society.
• In Latin, Prodeo means "to advance" or "go forward", and at Prodeo Academy, we believe in the growth of the whole person. From their first day on campus, we are preparing our children for college and the skills necessary to be successful in life. Everything we do at Prodeo Academy, both in and out of the classroom, is based on our Five Core Values: P.R.I.D.E. (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Development, and Enthusiasm.)
• Website: http://prodeoacademy.org/
• Individual Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.prodeoacademy.org/apps/pages/volunteer                        

PROJECT LEAD/CONTACT INFORMATION:

Dave Braden: 952.237.5870                 email: dbbraden@gmail.com                    

ORGANIZATION:  The Salvation Army                                                                 Back to Top 

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY: Winter holiday bell ringing campaign (Red kettle Collections). Teams of two ring bells to share the Christmas/holiday spirit and greet people entering the mall, encouraging them to donate.

LOCATIONS/DAYS AND TIMES:

Teams of two for two-hours shifts - Scheduled times will be posted on the Event Calendar

Mall of America -  First Wednesday in December

Southdale and Ridgedale malls - First Thursday in December

Ridgedale mall - Fisrt Friday in December

ESTIMATED ANNUAL CCA VOLUNTEER IMPACT: 40 CCA members manned the red buckets for 3 days in December 2018. Bell Ringers raised $56.50 per hour – that is higher than the average $30 and provides a family with groceries or with shelter for a night.

ABOUT SALVATION ARMY:

• The Salvation Army provides basic needs, housing, youth services, domestic abuse programs, addiction recovery, disaster relief, counseling and spiritual care to people in the communities they serve.
• The Salvation Army is part of the Universal Christian Church
• Website: https://salvationarmynorth.org/northern/
• Individual Volunteer Opportunities: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/twin-cities/volunteer

PROJECT LEAD/CONTACT INFORMATION:

Clinton Schroeder   612.518.6349         email: xxwr04ax@prodigy.net

ORGANIZATION:  The Sandwich Project: 363^© Days Food Program,

a program of the Minneapolis Recreation Development Inc.

                                                                                                                              Back to Top

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY: During each shift, prepare 1,872 turkey bologna and cheese sandwiches and pack in zip lock bags. 

LOCATION:   Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 7217 West Broadway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428                                            

DAYS AND TIMES: Third Friday of April, June, August, October from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL CCA VOLUNTEER IMPACT: In fiscal 2019,CCA members logged 170 hours to make sandwiches and snack packs for distribution to homeless and hungry people. Note: Snack packs are no longer prepared by CCA volunteers.

ABOUT THE SANDWICH PROJECT:

• Each year, many organizations put together programs for Thanksgiving and Christmas to help feed, clothe and take care of those less fortunate. The 363© Days Food Program was established with the other 363 days in mind.
• For the past 10 years, the 363© Days Food Program has received and distributed an average of more than 600,000 donated sandwiches annually to the homeless and hungry. Sandwiches are donated by over 500 community groups, churches, schools, individuals, companies, and each year more than 8,000 individual volunteers participate in sandwich making events.
• MRD distributes an average of 2,000 sandwiches a night to the homeless and hungry living on the streets, along with help from 21 Twin Cities partner organizations that also serve the homeless, and individuals and families in urgent need.
• Website: http://www.mrdinc.org   or   http://www.363days.org
• Individual volunteer information: No individual sign-ups are available, but you can create and sign up a non-CCA group.

PROJECT LEAD/CONTACT INFORMATION:

Eugene Becker:  763.742.7827              email:  eugene.becker@comcast.net

ORGANIZATION:   Second Harvest Heartland                           Back to Top

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY: Sort, re-label and package donated commodities.

LOCATION: 7101 Winnetka Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, 55428

DAYS AND TIMES: CCA is scheduled the second and third Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., and the last Wednesday of most months from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL CCA VOLUNTEER IMPACT: In fiscal 2019, CCA volunteers provided 2,150 hours of service. Over the past 18 years, CCA volunteers have processed over 1.2 million lbs. of food for the needy. Cargill also provides Second Harvest with both monetary support and donations of Cargill products.

ABOUT SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND:

• 2HH is one of the nation’s largest, most effective and most innovative hunger relief organizations. One in eleven households, urban, suburban and rural, in Minnesota are affected by hunger. To many of those hungry households, 2HH distributed the equivalent of 89 million meals in 2018 through its partners and serves approximately 532,000 people every year. More than 33% of those served are under age 18 and 10% are seniors.
• 2HH has created a sustainable system that provides access to food, helping hungry neighbors find their next meal - so they can thrive. 2HH works closely with more than a 1,000 partnering food shelves, food pantries and other meal programs. 2HH is a member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that helps feed people across the country.
• 2HH’s food bank is only part of how 2HH reaches hungry neighbors. 2HH also advocates for programs and policies that support the families it serves.
• Website: https://www.2harvest.org/
• Individual Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.2harvest.org/get-involved/volunteer/ 

PROJECT LEAD/CONTACT INFORMATION:

Julie Rothstein:  612.219.8568                 email:  Julie Rothstein

ORGANIZATION:   Three Rivers Park District                                  Back to Top

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY:  Maintain the trail by doing a Spring and Fall cleanup. 

LOCATIONS: Sections 3 and 4 of the Dakota Rail Regional Trail system (approximately 4.5 miles).

DAYS AND TIMES: Determined by Project Lead depending on weather. Spring cleanup is typically in April or May and fall cleanup in October.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL CCA VOLUNTEER IMPACT: In fiscal 2019, CCA members volunteered 65 hours on Dakota Rail Regional Trail maintenance.

ABOUT THREE RIVERS:

• Three Rivers Park District is a park district serving the suburban areas of the Twin Cities including suburban Hennepin, Carver, Dakota, Scott and Ramsey counties.
• Three Rivers' mission is "To promote environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park system."
• Three Rivers operates twenty parks and ten regional trails (over 27,000 acres), with at least two more regional trails planned.
• Nearly seven million people visit Three Rivers facilities each year.
• Website: https://www.threeriversparks.org/  
• Individual Volunteer Opportunities:   https://www.threeriversparks.org/page/volunteer

PROJECT LEAD/CONTACT INFORMATION:

John Tschumperlin: 952.472.4465        email: tschump@aol.com

ORGANIZATION:   Cargill Cares Alumni (CCA) Member Support   Back to Top

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:

CCA Member Support: 

• Respond to alumni phone and email queries
• Research returned mail to determine reason and take appropriate action (update files, etc.) 
• Help members update their profiles/data in CCA's website, register for events and input Spark hours; or on behalf of members, update/input/register the file and web content (Spark, Alumni member files, Events, etc.)
• Handle event registrations and associated activities (collecting checks, name tags, etc.) 
• Update Admin Calendar with availability 
• Assist with developing, testing and training of others on administrative procedures, forms, training materials, etc.
• Recommend website additions and changes based on member and Board/Project Leader input
• Provide CCA Board with metric data such as number of new members

• Web site: development, maintenance, and support; maintain CCA files as required by the Board

CCA Board, Committees:

• Board and committee meetings (recording, agendas, bylaws, special projects, strategy plans and other administrative activities, Treasurer)
• New member recruitment and promoting CCA
• Communications - Newsletter, emails, updated information on CCA Website
  
• Coordinate with Corporate Affairs 
• Ensure compliance with Mission and By-Laws - provide worthwhile activities for members 

LOCATION: Office Center or remotely from any location (volunteer's choice)

DAYS AND TIMES: determined by each volunteer

PROJECT LEAD/CONTACT INFORMATION:

Admin: Janice Weisberg          612.220.9052    email: janiceweisberg01@gmail.com

Website: Connie Hauswirth     email: chauswir@gmail.com

Click to see Board Members contacts or contact the Project Leads noted above.

ACTIVITY:   Independent Volunteer Activity  (IVA)                     Back to Top

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:

CCA members independently volunteer their time and talent to charitable organizations. The diversity of organizations, volunteer activity and hours volunteered reflect the wide-ranging interests and goals of our members. CCA and Cargill strongly encourage and support all CCA members’ volunteer activities. CCA members’ volunteer activity (independent and CCA-sponsored events) help promote CCA’s image within Cargill and the community, gives us pride in ourselves and CCA, and enhances the communities in which we live.

LOCATIONS/DAYS AND TIMES: For Independent Volunteer Activity (IVA), the CCA member is responsible to coordinate the locations, dates and times of the IVA with the preferred charitable organization(s). CCA encourages CCA members to report their own independent volunteer time in Spark so that the full extent of CCA members’ volunteer activity is apparent to CCA Board and Cargill

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS:  Generally, organizations will be a 501c3 organization - a United States nonprofit organization that has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service to be tax-exempt under the terms of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

REPORTING VOLUNTEER HOURS:  CCA members can input hours on a regular (monthly is best) basis using Cargill’s Spark application.  Refer to the Volunteer Hours page for various ways to submit volunteer time.

ANNUAL IVA ESTIMATED VOLUNTEER HOURS:

• IVA activity represents about 60 percent of the CCA 20,000+ hours reported annually.