Sharing and Caring Hands

The Sharing & Caring Hands Day Services Center, located only a few blocks from downtown Minneapolis, offers most of our day-to-day services for the poor and homeless. At the Day Services Center we offer hot meals, a Food and Clothing Shelf, Dental and Medical Clinics, and assistance with a variety of needs including transportation, beds, vouchers for eye glasses, funds to purchase State I.D's and birth certificates and many other services that help provide for the basic needs of the poor and support them in finding stability.



Our support is delivered in a unique manner that is best demonstrated by Mary Jo's tradition of washing the feet of those in need. Twice each day, basins of warm water are set out and Mary Jo and the volunteers bathe and apply ointment to dozens of blistered, sore, and tired feet. Many are supplied with new socks and shoes and sent on their way knowing that at least in one place in this often difficult and heartless world, someone cares in a special way.



Each month we serve over 20,000 meals. These meals are prepared and served completely by our volunteer partners. Often times they furnish all the ingredients. Most of these volunteers are offering their time and service with an ongoing regular monthly commitment, putting their values into a real demonstration of love and service.



Our Food Shelf supplies food to hundreds of people each month. We also give out clothing, household goods, towels, and much more in an ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of the poor in our community. Each month over $500,000 is spent on the needs of those in poverty.



We offer walk-in showers for the homeless and each day over 50 showers are provided. We have a completely free dental clinic with two fully-furnished dental stations and a dental lab. The clinic is staffed entirely by volunteer dentists. We also have a medical clinic staffed by Health Care for Homeless.



We receive many donations of clothing, household goods, toys, and food which we give out to those in need at no charge. Hundreds of people come each day to see what is available to help them stretch their limited income.



Our offices also provide numerous other services to those in need. We provide bus tokens, rent deposits, employment expenses, vouchers for state identification, co-pays, eye glass vouchers, and much more. Mary Jo personally meets with each person to determine what type of assistance we can offer. When those in need come to us and are ready to make a transition to a stable and responsible life, we are ready to support them in every way possible.
Updated Data: 6/2019. See below
Shelter

We have apartments for homeless families with two or more children that are minors. If you're in need of shelter, bring your entire family to Sharing & Caring Hands (525 N. 7th St.) Monday Thursday at 10:30AM or 1:30PM.

Please note that requests for shelter are considered on an individual basis and are not automatically granted.

Meals

Hot meals are served at our Day Services Center Monday Thursday at 10:30AM, 12PM, & 3PM; Saturday and Sunday at 9:30AM & 11AM; no meals served on Fridays. All are welcome to join us for these meals.

Food

Bags of food are given to families with children and individuals: Monday Thursday 10:30AM - 11:30AM or 1:30PM 3:00PM.
Mary Jo Copeland with a group of young boys

Dental

Dental services are available on a first-come, first-serve basis whenever a dentist is available. We provide extractions and fillings only. Please call our main number 612-338-4640 to check for dates and times to come. Dental clinic is located downstairs at our Day Services center. All services are free of charge and services are provided for those who have little to no dental coverage.

Beds

Beds can be ordered for those who have recently moved into an apartment/home (within the last 30 days). Beds are placed on a first-come, first-serve basis in person on Monday mornings starting at 10:30AM and end when we have an order of 50 beds. We deliver to Minneapolis and some connecting suburbs. We do not deliver to some areas of St. Paul and other metro locations. We are still able to order beds for clients not living within our delivery areas as long as clients can pick up their beds. Beds are full or twin-size and are new or gently used. We will order one bed per individual/up to two beds for families of two or more people in their households. You must bring your lease and some form of identification.

Other Services at our Drop-in Center

The following services are offered, but depend upon availability and individual determination. If you need to request these services, you must wait to see Mary Jo Monday Thursday 10:30AM 11:30AM or 1:30PM 2:30PM.

Eye glass voucher for exams and/or glasses for uninsured or under-insured
Shoes
Vouchers to get State Identification/Birth Certificate
Vouchers for place to stay for homeless men
Bus Token
Bus Card for those with proof of recent hire in permanent position
We offer many other services that are provided based on an individuals situation and available funds.