Damiano Center of Duluth, Minnesota

Through partnership with donors, volunteers, and other supporters, more than 100,000 meals were served here last year. Because of all of you who have supported our work, more than 450,000 items of clothing were given to those in need. Because of you, the Damiano Center is a cornerstone of the Duluth community and an essential part of the local social safety net. This is an organization created by the community for the community. The Damiano Center has been building a stronger community, serving people in need since 1982. We have helped so many people in our over 30 years of operation, and we could not have done any of it without donors and volunteers. Each financial gift, gift of time, or donated clothing or other items, is used to provide basic necessities to families and individuals who are low-income. The Soup Kitchen was the Damiano Center's founding program, beginning in March 1982. This is currently the largest on-site meal program in Northeastern Minnesota. We serve eight hot meals each week, plus a continental breakfast five days a week. No questions are asked of the people who come for a meal, and everyone is welcome to eat until they are satisfied. In addition we make available day old bakery products for people to take home. Hours: The Soup Kitchen is open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun for: Continental Breakfast 8:30 – 9:30, Lunch 11:30 – 1:00, Dinner 5:00 – 6:00 (Fri, Sat, and Sun only). Kids Café® works to reduce childhood hunger & malnutrition by: Providing healthy meals and food to take home on the weekends; Providing nutrition education; Providing a nurturing and fun place for kids after school and in the summer time. Kids Café was in started in response to a growing number of children coming to the Soup Kitchen unaccompanied by an adult. We realized there was a major, unmet need in our neighborhood. This was an opportunity to address childhood hunger in a way that not only fed kids, but also engaged and nurtured them. Each year, Kids Café serves 400-500 individual children. Kids Café is primarily about making sure children in poverty have access to quality, healthy food, but it is so much more than that. We emphasize nutrition education through the fun, hands on experience of preparing food, and also offer organic gardening. Other activities involve art, physical activities, and other activities to honor the culture and heritage of the diverse children who come to Kids Café.