Woodbury’s Christian Cupboard Hires New Executive Director

Kristin Kinney has previous experience serving low-income individuals and families in several organizations.

The Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf on Monday announced the hire of a new executive director. Kristin Kinney assumed the role on May 1, and is now responsible for “the general management of CCEFS including operations, fund raising, public awareness and program development,” according to a release from the Christian Cupboard Board. She has previous experience serving low-income individuals and families in several organizations, including the Dakota County Community Development Agency, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions and Lifetrack Resources, Inc., a local nonprofit. Kinney’s hire continues the Christian Cupboard Board’s transition plan, which began last fall. Related: Changes in Store for Woodbury’s Christian Cupboard Food Shelf “…

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Dick Wolff, Founder of Woodbury’s Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf, Dies (Updated)

Share your memories of Wolff in the comments section.

Dick Wolff, the founder of the Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. He was 78. “He was just a servant,” said Tim Hayden, a member of the food shelf board who knew Wolff for about seven years. Hayden recalled a Bible passage about Jesus feeding people when they were hungry and giving them something to drink when they were thirsty. “That reminds me so much of Dick,” he said. Memorial service Sunday, Jan. 13, 4:30 p.m. at Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Road. Visitation begins at 3:30 p.m. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers. The Christian Cupboard Emergency Fool Shelf will celebrate its 30th year in 2013. Wolff had been experiencing health issues lately and was at the hospital when he told nurses he …

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Woodbury Churches Band Together for Gift-Giving Program for Less Fortunate

Hosted by King of Kings Lutheran Church, Christian Cupboard's two-day giveaway had a different format this year.

Santa would be proud. The Woodbury community donated thousands of toys for local families this year through a Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf program. The presents were given away Monday and Tuesday at King of Kings Lutheran Church, where food shelf clients also got to wrap the gifts themselves. New this year, clients were able to “shop” for the gifts, a change from previous years when the presents were prepackaged and given away at the Christian Cupboard headquarters at Woodbury Lutheran Church. Leading up to the two-day giveaway, the toys were sorted—for age group and gender—by about 130 volunteers, said Lisa Engh, a Christian Cupboard Board member. It made for an impressive display at the church Monday. “It’s been wonderful,” …

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Kris Janisch

9:20 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Somebody emailed to say I should have mentioned other churches involved. If your church helped with the program, let us know here!   more ›

Changes in Store for Woodbury’s Christian Cupboard Food Shelf

The organization has hired an interim executive director.

As the Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf looks to celebrate 30 years in 2013, the organization is taking a step forward without its founders. Cheryl Jensen has been hired as interim executive director of the food shelf, which is located at Woodbury Lutheran Church. Jensen, president of Strategic Consulting & Coaching, will aid in the transition from Dick and Sharon Wolff, who founded the Christian Cupboard. “The Wolffs have been the heart and soul of the food shelf here in town,” Greig Metzger, president of the food shelf’s board, told Patch this fall. “We plan to honor Dick and Sharon in the future and strive to continue their commitment to the community.” There was some disagreement over how the Wolffs left the food shelf. The …

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Woodbury McDonald’s to Reopen Friday

The fast-food restaurant held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, Oct. 5.

The McMakeover is complete and the Woodbury McDonald’s will reopen at 5 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 7. Dozens of people—including local elected officials, Chamber of Commerce representatives and Ronald McDonald—were on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon today (Oct. 5). Jim Duval, who owns the Woodbury fast-food establishment with his family, said the work took 102 days to complete. The building was razed and rebuilt using the company’s new design platform. The new-look McDonald’s now features two drive-thru lanes, which should ease congestion in the area during busy times. There are also televisions inside and a new décor. Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens spoke at today’s event, saying the city has fielded plenty of calls from residents …

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Kris Janisch

8:38 am on Thursday, October 6, 2011

Michele, they reconfigured the lot, in addition to the two drive-thru lanes, so hopefully it goes smoothly.   more ›

Angela's Angle

No Fear in the New Year

Fear can rob a person of joy and spoil moments of "have" with fear of not having. Instead, let's resolve to savor joyful moments and share our blessings with others.

It's been said that living through hard times teaches appreciation for good times. That going without helps us to value what we have. Not always. Sometimes uncertainty causes us to cling tighter to things for fear of losing them. The poor economy has triggered a recalibration and refocus toward practical things like how to cook at home, how to do more with less and how to carefully consider our choices instead of impulsively chasing the "BBD" (Bigger, Better Deal). But these times have also brought about an elevated level of anxiety for some, fear about the future and fear of loss. What once seemed an endless party of potential has morphed into a gray winter morning where some hope that careful steps will prevent economic slips and falls. …

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Qin Tang

10:45 pm on Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Angela, Thanks for spreading the joyful spirit. Wish you a Happy New Year!   more ›

Woodbury's Christian Cupboard Lends a Hand During Holidays

The local food shelf has seen its demand increase as many who previously donated have become clients.

The holidays can be a difficult time for those struggling to make ends meet. The Christian Cupboard has worked to make things a little easier. The local food shelf, which operates out of Woodbury Lutheran Church, has been busy lately: it gave out more than $20,000 worth of toys and added $30 gift cards for the Christmas season to the bags of food for its clients. Christian Cupboard serves an average of 130 families each week and gives out about 6,000 pounds of food, said Dick Wolff, president, who helped found the food shelf in 1983. Those clients have grown, he said, as the poor economy took its toll on the area. Yet the community has continued to provide support. "Our givers are fewer, their amounts are bigger," he said. "So the fact is …

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Angela's Angle

(New) Clothing Optional

I haven't purchased new clothes since July—not getting preachy, just creative.

I once read about a woman who didn't buy new clothes for an entire year. I marveled at this, wondered how it was possible. Then I stopped to think about how often I purchased new clothing for myself. I couldn't answer my own question. If ever I felt a need to replenish or update my wardrobe, I did. If I saw a bargain at a "buy anything and everything" retailer, I'd slip it in the cart alongside my laundry soap and cold medicine. Later, a conversation with a friend focused on the latest trend in jeans—narrower legs, darker wash, etc. She was deciding which of the newest styles to try. I did a mental count of the jeans in my closet. Five. That may sound like a little or a lot, depending on your perspective. But it's one for every weekday. …

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Qin Tang

3:03 pm on Saturday, December 11, 2010

Yes, you can do it. I also stopped buying new clothes for myself. I never feel deprived. I have more than I need. I am all for reduce, reuse and recycle. Good idea and good luck!   more ›