FEBRUARY 2025 CHARITY OF THE MONTH
In partnership with the Minnesota Wild, we are the sponsor of the Minnesota Wild Charity of the Month Program. Throughout the NHL season, we feature a new charity each month. This months selected charity is Damiano Center!
About Damiano Center
The Damiano Center was built by the community for the community. It is the largest emergency meal provider in Northeastern Minnesota and has the largest free store in Duluth. They also offer children’s programming, a clothing program specifically for people seeking employment, a shower program, a storage program, recovery support groups, and we provide referrals and other basic assistance as well.
It is their goal to provide everything they offer with as much dignity as possible. This means that they work very hard to remove the barriers that would keep someone from accessing these services that everyone deserves, such as food, clothing, hygiene, and safety. Damiano Center served their first meal on March 15th, 1982 as a response to a community need and they haven’t missed one of their regularly scheduled meals since, even in the pandemic, except for extreme weather or power outages, and even then they are often able to provide something. They have since expanded to provide nine programs with eight other offices/non-profits also renting spaces in the building. It truly is a community center.
With respect and compassion, Damiano Center honors the dignity of all people and strengthen their community by providing essential services to individuals and families who are in need.
Damiano Center’s Programs
Community Kitchen
On March 15, 1982, the Community Kitchen was the Damiano Center’s founding program. This is currently the largest on-site meal program in Northeastern Minnesota, serving fifteen meals each week. No questions are asked of the people who come for a meal, and everyone is welcome to eat. In addition, they make available day old bakery products and produce for people to take home.
Community Services
Community Services provides information and referrals. Their trained staff specialize in helping people with emergency needs. They serve about 2,500 people annually with a wide variety of services. Services include: hygiene items, mailboxes, household items, bus tokens, free telephone line, Narcan, and gas vouchers.
Clothes that Work
This program provides work appropriate apparel for interviews and for people beginning a new job. In addition to providing two outfits for job seekers with a scheduled interview or five outfits for those who already have a job, they also provide accessories, hygiene, and beauty products. This program also provides apparel and services for people who are recently released from incarceration.
Free Store
Each year around 250,000 of articles of clothing are distributed to people in need. This program opened in 1983. All items are donated and all are given away free of charge to anyone who needs them.
Health Realization
Health Realization is a cognitive skills-based program that helps individuals manage stress and work through barriers. It is often considered an addiction recovery program or support group, and while this program is effective for people with addictions, it can assist with a wide range of life issues. This is one of the few alternatives to twelve-step recovery programs in the area.
Hygiene Unit
The Hygiene Unit provides access to six shower/restroom units to any person in need. The trained staff specializes in sanitizing used units after every use. They offer the following free resources when utilizing the shower program: shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, towels and washcloth.
Kid’s Kitchen
Kids’ Kitchen works to reduce childhood hunger and malnutrition by providing nutritious meals, nutrition education, and a nurturing and fun place for kids after school and in the summer. Kids’ Kitchen was started in response to a growing number of children coming to the Community Kitchen unaccompanied by an adult. They realized there was a major, unmet need in the neighborhood. Other activities involve art, physical activities, and other activities to honor the culture and heritage of the diverse children who come to Kids’ Kitchen.
Safe Storage
This program offers a safe & secure space for guests to store their belongings. This is a space to store important documents, valuables, family heirlooms, or any other items that someone does not want to carry with them.
Summer Food Corps
During the summer months (June-August), Damiano Center offers youth employment training to teens, teaching them skills in gardening, food service, childcare, and building their leadership and STEM skills in the process.
