Getting Help in Rochester, MN: A Guide to Food, Housing, Legal Aid & Emergency Resources

Food Shelves and Pantries

Channel One Food Shelf

Channel One Food Shelf is SE Minnesota’s main food bank and Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provider. Channel One Food Shelf is open to anyone in Minnesota who meets the eligibility requirements. No appointment needed. No proof of income, citizenship, or immigration status is required. Information about who shops at Channel One is kept confidential. Grocery delivery is available through Project Dash.

Offers: Food Shelf, Grocery Delivery

Location: 131 35th St. SE, Rochester

Phone: (507) 287-2350

Food Shelf Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8 AM-6 PM; Fridays: 8 AM-12 PM. Closed Saturdays & Sundays

Accessible by Rochester Public Transit on routes 206 and 23

Salvation Army Rochester

Salvation Army Rochester is critical, as the only major food shelf in the Downtown Rochester area. Households may visit the food shelf two times per month. They also provide free lunch on weekdays- all are welcome. The Bread Pantry is also stocked weekdays.

Offers: Basic food items like cereal, rice, peanut butter, meats, milk, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and baking supplies.

Location: Social Services Center- 115 First Ave. NE, Rochester

Phone: (507) 288-3663

Food Shelf Hours: Tuesdays & Fridays: 10 AM- 3:30 PM

Lunch Program: Monday- Friday: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

Bread Pantry: Stocked Monday – Friday at 8:00 AM

Community Food Response

Community Food Response offers free meals to hungry people. The food distributed is rescued from hospitals, restaurants, caterers, grocery stores, and other commercial kitchens in Rochester to help people in need while reducing food waste.

Offers: Prepared fresh or frozen foods to take home or eat elsewhere. Food may include soups, sandwiches, salads, vegetables, meat dishes, pasta dishes, potatoes, breakfast items, and some desserts.

Location: Salvation Army Campus | 120 1st Street NE

Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 4:00 PM-6:00 PM

125 Food Pantry

125 Live Food Pantry is open to all members of the public, and is 100% stocked by donations.

Shoppers must register for a time to visit the pantry. 1 bag of food per household limit, and 2 visits max per week allowed. Photo ID required to visit the pantry.

Offers: mostly shelf-stable items, with some fresh breads and baked items

Location: 125 Elton Hills Dr. NW, Rochester

Phone: (507) 287-1404

Pantry Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
Saturday | 11:30 – 12:30 PM | CLOSED | Wednesday & Sunday

Hosanna Food Ministries

Hosanna’s Helping Hands Pantry is an agency of Channel One Food Shelf. Hosanna’s Pantry offers food and personal care items to families in need.

The Helping Hands pantry, located outside of Hosanna Lutheran Church, is regularly stocked with food and toiletries and is open 24/7 to anyone.

Location: 2815 57th St. NW, Rochester

Phone: (507) 285-0092

Pantry Hours: Open the 4th Saturday of each month (3rd Saturday in November and December) from 9 AM-11 AM

Pamoja Women’s Pantry

Bakhaarka Cuntada ee Pamoja Women Pantry wuxuu bixiyaa adeeg cunto oo ku saleysan dhaqanka si uu u taageero haweenka Bariga Afrika iyo qoysaskooda.

Goobta: 821 3rd Avenue SE, Suite 105, Rochester

Furan: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00-2:30 PM

Iimayl: info@pamojawomen.org

Telefoon: (507) 271-8057

Pamoja Women Pantry offers a culturally-based food pantry to support East African women and their families.

Location: 821 3rd Avenue SE, Suite 105, Rochester

Open: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00-2:30 PM

Email: info@pamojawomen.org

Phone: (507) 271-8057

We the Gente

We The Gente brinda apoyo alimentario culturalmente relevante a familias hispanas e inmigrantes, ofreciendo alimentos familiares que reflejan las tradiciones y necesidades de la comunidad.

Para recibir alimentos, complete el formulario en su sitio web.

We The Gente provides culturally-based food support to Hispanic and immigrant families, offering familiar foods that reflect the traditions and needs of the community.

To receive food, fill out the form on their website.

LifeGate Services

The Food Shelf is open on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, offering a variety of items that include African and Hispanic cultural foods. In addition to food support, Bridges Health of Winona State University provides free health assessments; appointments can be scheduled by calling (507) 457-2891. For updated information and event details, follow Lifegate Services on Facebook.

Oasis Church Super Market Saturday

Food Programs

SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps Minnesotans get the food they need. Participants get an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card with benefits loaded every month that can be used to buy groceries at most stores and farmers’ markets. Requires application. Eligibility is dependent on household size and income. If parents are not legal immigrants, but children are US citizens, children would still be eligible for SNAP benefits.

Olmsted County Services: 2117 Campus Drive SE, Suite 100, Rochester

Phone & Application Assistance: (507) 328-6500. Assistance available for non-English speakers.

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

WIC- Women, Infants, and Children

WIC – Women, Infants, and Children helps families by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy foods, and referrals to healthcare and other community services. Offers monthly assistance to purchase healthy grocery staples: milk, cheese, fruits, vegetables, cereals, baby foods, bread, etc.

Requires Application: Application available here.

Olmsted County Services: 2100 Campus Drive SE, Rochester

Phone & Application Assistance: (507)328-7555. Assistance available for non-English speakers.

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

MFIP – Minnesota Family Investment Program

MFIP – Minnesota Family Investment Program is for families with children and pregnant women. Caregivers are expected to work and are supported with both cash and food assistance. Families get a monthly benefit that includes cash and food assistance issued automatically through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card and employment services to help them find and keep a job.

Application Required: Application available here

MFAP – Minnesota Food Assistance Program

MFAP – Minnesota Food Assistance Program provides state-funded food assistance to legal noncitizens age 50 or older who do not qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) because of their citizenship status. Follows all other income limits and policies of SNAP.

Requires Application: Application available here

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is provided in Rochester through Family Service Rochester. This program offers home delivery of dietetically correct, prepared, hot, nutritious meals 7 days a week. Meals are delivered by volunteers who work to combat both hunger and the isolation of senior citizens.

Meals are provided based on household income. Food assistance programs accepted.

Call for more information: (507)287-2010

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Fridays: 8:00 AM-3:00 PM

Rochester Farmer’s Market

Stretch EBT/SNAP dollars by shopping at the Rochester Farmers Market! Exchange up to $10 into Market Bucks, and receive matching market bucks, dollar-for-dollar, PLUS $10 in produce bucks, to be used for fresh produce only. Stretch $10 of EBT/SNAP into $30 of fresh, farmers market produce and goods!

Location: Rochester Farmers Market, Graham Park/Olmsted County Fairgrounds

Email:  rochfarmmkt@gmail.com

Open: Summer Hours: Every Saturday May-October, 7:30 AM-12:00 PM; Winter Hours: Select Saturdays November- April, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Phone:  (507)273-8232

Community Meals

Christ United Methodist Church

Christ United Methodist Church offers warm, nutritious Saturday Noon Meals to anyone in need- no questions asked.

Location: 400 5th Ave SW, Rochester

Email: email@cumethodist.com

Phone: (507) 289-4019

Oasis Church

St Francis of Assisi Church

The Sunday Lunch Program at St. Francis of Assisi Church offers a weekly noon meal at no cost to anyone in need in the Rochester community.

Location: 1114 3rd St SE, Rochester

Open: Sundays at 12:00 pm

Phone: (507) 288-7313

Peace United Church of Christ

Peace United Church of Christ hosts a warm meal every Wednesday. The meal is free of charge and open to everyone.

Location: 1503 2nd Ave NE, Rochester, MN 55906

Open: Wednesdays, 5 – 7 PM

Phone: (507) 282-6117

Family Service Rochester Social Cafe

Semcac Senior Dining

Semcac has more than 35 dining locations available across 11 counties in southeastern Minnesota, including Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona. Individuals age 60 and older are welcome to participate. Reservations are required by calling the day before. For the most current information on locations, hours, and contact details, visit the website.

Phone: (507) 864-7741

Open Table Food Truck

Open Table Food Truck is a mobile food truck ministry of Zumbro Lutheran Church. They welcome everyone without exception, offering free meals with no registration required, ensuring that anyone who desires a meal receives one.

Olmsted County Eviction Prevention Project

Tenants who have received a Summons and Petition for Eviction can call Legal Assistance of Olmsted County for services, including negotiating a settlement with the landlord, helping the tenant find government or other funding to pay and stay, dismissing and expunging the eviction.

Phone: (507) 287-2036

Family Promise

Families experiencing homelessness can connect with Family Promise Rochester for support, including emergency shelter, case management, and help securing stable housing. Family Promise works with local congregations and community partners to provide a safe place to stay while helping families build a path toward long-term independence.

Phone: (507) 281-3122

Three Rivers Community Action

Three Rivers assists individuals and families with housing-related needs, including homeless prevention assistance, rapid re-housing, transportation, education, long-term housing assistance, and homeownership assistance.

Phone: (507) 316-0610

Heading Home – Olmsted

Supportive housing collaborations for disabled individuals and transitional housing for ex-offenders who have been released from corrections facilities.

Olmsted County Rental Assistance

Includes Housing Choice Voucher (HCV/ Section 8) program, public housing, and more resources.

Olmsted County Veteran Services

Assists veterans in securing housing, working with the VA, and navigating services available to veterans with and without disabilities.

Rochester Public Schools – Student Supports

RPS offers a wide variety of student support services, including:

• Chemical Health Specialists – Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselors

• Mental Health Practitioners – early childhood through graduation

• Clinical Social Workers (CSW) – licensed mental health professionals who provide mental health support, crisis response, threat assessment, and consultation services- early childhood through graduation

• School Counselors – academic support and planning, social/emotional support, mental health support- on-site at all schools

• School Social Workers – support non-academic needs of students, including mental health, social/emotional needs, behavioral, basic living needs, community resources, and more

Email Student Support: bahouse@rochesterschools.org

Phone: (507) 328-3000

Homeless Education Program- Rochester Public Schools

The Homeless Education Program in Rochester Public Schools supports and provides services to students experiencing unstable housing, high mobility, and homelessness. RPS can help with:

• Immediate enrollment

• Transportation

• Free breakfast and lunch at school

• School supplies

• Scholarships for school activities

• Referrals to community resources that include: medical support, food, housing, mental  health support, and other resources

• Information about preschool programs

• Access to a school social worker

You may be eligible for additional services for you or your child at school if you live:

• In a shelter

• In a hotel or motel

• With friends or family because you have no home

• In an empty building, in a car, or in another unsafe place

• On the street

• In emergency foster care

• With friends, and you are 17 years old or younger

Contact: Nicole Wibsted – nicole.wibstad@rochesterschools.org

Phone: (507) 328-4354

Olmsted County Public Health | Parent + Child Services

Public Health Services offers visits, classes, and group programs for families who are pregnant or have infants and preschool-aged children, with support available in home, clinic, and community settings. Public health nurses provide guidance, education, and referrals to local resources, and many programs are coordinated with social workers to support social, emotional, and physical health related to pregnancy, parenting, and early childhood development.

Crisis Nursery

Provides short-term childcare with licensed providers while families address a crisis situation. Additional services include assisting families with exploring ongoing childcare options, support, diaper services, and referrals to community resources.

Open: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Appointments are recommended.

Please call the Main Office line at (507) 287-2020 or email crisisn@familiesfirstmn.org to make an appointment with a Crisis Nursery staff.

RCTC Hive Supply

The Hive Supply serves as an on-campus food shelf, providing RCTC students with free groceries, hygiene products, and basic household items. Students may stop by once each week and select up to 15 items per visit, and a valid Stinger ID is required.

Spring Semester Hours – CC409 on Main Campus

Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Spring Semester Hours – H1434E at the Heintz Center

Monday – Thursday | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Phone: (507) 285-7557

Rochester Warming Center

Rochester Warming Center provides overnight emergency shelter for adults ages 18 and older who are experiencing homelessness, with check-in available each night between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Guests have access to a safe and warm place to sleep, showers, laundry facilities, healthy snacks and beverages, fellowship, and referrals for additional help and assistance.

Location: 200 4th St. SE 

Open: 8:00 PM – 8:00 PM, 7 days a week

Phone (available during open times only): (507) 226-8033

Dorothy Day House

The program is open to guests ages 18 and older daily from 4:00 PM to 9:00 AM, with check-in available between 4:00 and 10:00 PM. Dinner is served each evening at 6:00 PM, and amenities include laundry facilities, coffee, and snacks. Beds are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and guests must provide identification, remain sober, and follow House Rules. Stays are limited to up to 21 consecutive days, with no cap on total visits, though a two-month waiting period is required between stays.

Location: 703 1st Street SW, Rochester MN

Phone:  (507) 282-5172 (7 – 9 AM, 4 – 10 PM)

Email:  ddhhouse@gmail.com

Women’s Shelter & Support Center

The Rochester Women’s Shelter provides safe, emergency housing for individuals leaving difficult situations, including accommodations for children and pets. Guests have access to supportive housing with trained advocates, as well as essentials like clothing, personal items, meals, transportation, and financial assistance. These secure and confidential shelters offer a place to stay while individuals plan their next steps.

24 Hour Crisis Line: (507) 285-1010 or 1(800)-438-6439

Text: (507) 251-8704

Family Promise Rochester – Promise House

Family Promise Rochester is a family-only shelter that assists families facing housing insecurity or homelessness. While in shelter, families commit to working with our case managers to actively pursue housing and their goals.

Phone: (507) 281-3122 ext. 403

180 Degrees/VonWald Youth Shelter

The 180 Degrees/VonWald Youth Shelter is a 12 single-bedroom home providing emergency shelter and residence to youth of all genders, ages 12-17. The home provides safe spaces for youth experiencing violence, homelessness, crisis, and exploitation, including sex trafficking.

Available by walk-ins or Referral Form

Location: 4435 Bamber Valley Road SW, Rochester

Email: southeastMN@180degrees.org

Phone: (507) 208-0110 | Text: (507) 202-5873

Lutheran Social Services & LINK

Call or Text: (507) 316-8273

Safe Harbor – Rochester Area

24/7 information line, connecting youth who have been exploited/trafficked or may be exploited/trafficked, to supportive housing, emergency shelter, and ongoing case management.

24-Hour Confidential Phone: (507) 316-8273 

The Landing MN

The Landing MN offers hope and a path toward stability for people experiencing homelessness through its free Day Center. Guests have access to showers, laundry, clothing, and meals throughout the day, along with on-site medical and mental health care. Social services staff help navigate housing, benefits, legal assistance, and more, while community events like game nights and holiday celebrations ensure every guest feels at home.

Location: 426 3rd Ave SE, Rochester

Phone: (507) 884-0423

Hours: 8:00 AM-8:00 PM, 7 days a week

Salvation Army: Good Samaritan Health Clinic

Provides basic medical care, chronic disease management, tooth extractions and treatment for dental pain, and prescription medications and glasses for uninsured and underinsured residents of Olmsted County, MN.

Please note: The clinic does not accept walk-ins

Call to make an appointment: (507) 529-4100

Location: 120 N. Broadway Avenue (up the stairs/ramp on the North side of the building

Hours: Clinic hours vary by week. Please call to make an appointment.

Community Health Service Inc. 

Community Health Services Inc. provides affordable medical, dental, behavioral health, and victim advocacy services to the community. They accept insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare, and can help patients enroll in programs they may qualify for. For those without insurance, fees are offered on a sliding scale based on household income, ensuring care is accessible to everyone regardless of financial situation.

Location: 2720 N. Broadway, Rochester, MN

Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Tuesdays & Thursdays: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Fridays: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Closed Saturdays & Sundays.

Phone: (507) 529-0503

Community Dental Care

Community Dental Care is the largest nonprofit Medicaid dental provider in Minnesota, offering preventative, restorative, and emergency dental services to individuals, children, families, and the elderly. With welcoming clinic locations and a dedicated multicultural staff, they are committed to making high-quality dental care accessible and inclusive for those who need it most.

Location: 2120 US Highway 14 E

Phone: (507) 258-7934

Hours: Monday – Tuesday: 8 AM – 3 PM, Wednesday – Thursday: 8 AM – 5 PM, Friday: 8 AM – 2 PM

Children’s Dental Health Services

Doc’s Recovery House

Doc’s Recovery House is a grassroots nonprofit offering supportive housing and peer support for individuals recovering from substance use disorder. Services include pre-treatment and long-term recovery housing, treatment coordination, advocacy, and peer support through daily and individual sessions and community-building activities.

Location: 1821 Restoration Rd SW 

Email: info@docsrecoveryhouse.org

Phone: (507) 216-3353

Cronin Home & Supportive Services

Cronin Home & Supportive Services provides a sober living environment for male and female residents, primarily ages 21 and older, who are dealing with alcohol and/or chemical dependency. The facility welcomes referrals from a wide range of sources, including detoxification and treatment centers, halfway houses, hospitals, nursing homes, social services, court services, and families.

Location: 825 West Silver Lake Drive NE

Email: croninhome@thecroninhome.org

Phone: (507) 282-1204

Pathway House

Pathway House provides drug-free, supported living for adults, fostering individual dignity, self-esteem, and personal growth throughout the recovery process. Recognizing that chemical dependency affects every aspect of a person’s life, Pathway House offers broad-based programming designed to help clients restore their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being, with recovery driven largely by the initiative of each individual client.

Phone – Men’s Program: (507) 287-6121 

Phone: Women’s Program: (507) 281-0441

Recovery is Happening 

Recovery is Happening is one of Minnesota’s leading nonprofit, full-service recovery community organizations, founded in 2011 with a mission to connect individuals impacted by substance use disorder with personalized pathways to recovery. Dedicated to helping clients reach their fullest potential, the organization provides healthy living resources, personalized recovery plans, and caring support to help individuals leave behind the damage and despair of addiction. Their housing options include:

• Healing Habitat (Olmsted County): Peer-managed homes for women, including space for mothers and their children, providing a stable environment during early recovery through self-pay and Housing Access Funds.
• Redemption Housing (Olmsted County): Four gender-specific homes for adults in recovery offering structure, accountability, and stability, with participation available through self-pay, Housing Access Funds, or Olmsted County Housing Support/GRH.
• Coordinated Entry (Southeastern Minnesota): Supported by the Minnesota Department of Housing in partnership with River Valleys CoC, these recovery-oriented homes offer peer support to formerly unhoused individuals as they work toward healing and stability.

Location: 25 16th St NE

Phone: (507) 218-4773

GPS – Guiding Partners to Solutions

Phone: (507) 328-6325

Hours (Walk-ins welcome): Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM

Weekdays, 8 AM – 5 PM
Olmsted County Community Services
2117 Campus Drive SE

Thursdays 11:30 AM-1 PM
Salvation Army
115 First Avenue NE

Thursdays: 1:30 PM -5 PM
Rochester Public Library
101 2nd St. SE

Navigating the landscape of care and services available to older adults and their families can be overwhelming. The Olmsted County Guide to Aging will introduce you to a diverse range of organizations, services, and businesses in Olmsted County dedicated to supporting older adults and their families.

IMAA – Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association

IMAA – Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association fosters the well-being and independence of refugees and immigrants resettling in Rochester and surrounding areas. Through a range of programs and services, they build bridges through language by providing interpretation and translation for community members, organizations, and businesses.

Location: 2500 Valleyhigh Dr NW

Phone: (507) 289-5960

Hours: Monday, Wednesday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5: PM | Tuesday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Refugee Resettlement Program – Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program (CCRRP) Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program has been serving refugees in the Rochester community since 1975. As the only resettlement agency in Southeastern Minnesota, CCRRP helps newly arrived refugees, whether through family reunification or community placement, access the most fundamental needs, including shelter, food, clothing, income, medical care, education, and employment.

Phone: (507) 454-2270

Email: info@ccsomn.org

Immigration Resources – City of Rochester

The City of Rochester provides general information to help residents understand their rights if they encounter federal immigration authorities, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While the City does not enforce federal immigration law, residents may still encounter ICE in the community. This resource outlines general rights and available resources to help residents navigate those situations.

Southern Minnesota Immigrant Legal Defense (SMIILD)

Southern Minnesota Immigrant Legal Defense (SMIILD) provides free and low-cost legal support and advocacy for immigrants and underserved communities in Southeast Minnesota, including assistance with immigration cases, legal education, and access to trusted resources to help individuals and families navigate complex legal systems.

Somali Community Resettlement Services (SCRS)

Somali Community Resettlement Services (SCRS) Somali Community Resettlement Services was founded in 2000 by a volunteer network of Somali refugees to directly respond to the needs of Somali refugees and immigrants in Rochester and surrounding areas. SCRS assists newly arrived refugees from Somalia and other East African countries in securing basic needs, resources for self-sufficiency, and support in acclimating to a new way of life, with an emphasis on strengthening personal capacity to better support their children and families.

Location: 903 W Center St, Suite 200

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM

Phone: (507) 258-5013

Immigrant Solutions Center

Immigrant Solutions Center provides comprehensive support for immigrants in the Rochester area. They offer a wide range of services, including educational support, employment assistance, government benefit applications, immigration services, legal services, language services, tax services, and travel services, all designed to help immigrants navigate and thrive in their new community.

Location: 1500 1st Ave NE, UNIT 113

Phone: (507) 258-6058

LSS Refugee Services of Minnesota

LSS Refugee Services of Minnesota serves individuals and families in their journey toward self-sufficiency during their first five years in the United States. Through employment support, case management, and connections to community resources, LSS walks alongside refugees to empower them with the tools and guidance they need to succeed.

ACHLA – Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics and Latin Americans

ACHLA – Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics and Latin Americans is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and advocating for the rights and well-being of Chicanos, Hispanics, and Latin Americans in the Rochester area. Through community engagement, education, and outreach programs, ACHLA works to promote social justice, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment for a more inclusive and equitable society.

Email: info@achla-mn.org

We the Gente

We The Gente is dedicated to empowering Latino individuals and families to build brighter, more confident futures through community, opportunity, and belonging. By bridging gaps and sharing knowledge, they connect people with education, career guidance, essential resources, and supportive services that improve quality of life and overall well-being.

Phone: (612) 999-1258

COPAL – Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina

COPAL – Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina is a member-based, grassroots organization established in 2018 to improve the quality of life of Latine families in Minnesota. They connect community members with a wide range of resources, including education, rental assistance, employment support, and vocational training, while also advocating for clean energy, healthy lifestyles, and increased Latine voter participation.

Location: 1210 1/2 7th St NW

Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 5 PM

Phone: (612) 255-3112

Pamoja Women

Pamoja Women empowers women and girls of East African heritage by providing culturally responsive programs and resources to help them thrive. Their services include healthcare education and navigation, youth enrichment and after-school programs, and dignified access to food and essential basic needs resources.

Location: 829 3rd Ave SE, STE 205

Phone: (507) 226-8101

ECRM – Ethiopian Community of Rochester, MN

ECRM – Ethiopian Community of Rochester, MN is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and supportive environment for the approximately 800 Ethiopian residents in the Rochester area. ECRM focuses on building family connections, celebrating cultural pride, and supporting newcomers with language assistance and transportation resources.

Legal Assistance of Olmsted County

Legal Assistance of Olmsted County provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals in Olmsted County, helping people navigate complex legal challenges they could not otherwise afford to face alone. Their services span family law matters such as divorce, custody, adoption, and name changes, as well as housing issues including eviction, security deposits, and lease disputes. They also provide critical support for survivors of domestic violence, assisting with orders for protection and harassment restraining orders.

Phone: (507) 287-2036

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services offers free legal assistance and education to low-income individuals across Southern Minnesota, helping people navigate a broad range of civil legal needs. Their services cover family law, government benefits, housing and landlord issues, immigration, education law, and senior law, ensuring that a lack of financial resources is never a barrier to accessing justice.

Phone: 1 (877) 696-6529

Southern Minnesota Immigrant Legal Defense (SMIILD) 

Southern Minnesota Immigrant Legal Defense (SMIILD) provides free and low-cost legal support and advocacy for immigrants and underserved communities in Southeast Minnesota. They assist with immigration cases, offer legal education, and connect individuals and families with trusted resources to help them navigate complex legal systems with confidence.

Little Free Food Pet Pantry

The Little Free Pet Food Pantry offers a freestanding pantry that is available to community members 24/7. This service works to meet community members’ needs and keep furry companions fed.

Location: 700 4th Ave SE

The Street Dog Coalition

The Street Dog Coalition occasionally holds events in the Rochester, MN area, providing veterinary care and resources for the pets of people experiencing homelessness.