Basic Needs Inc of South Washington County

About Us at Basic Needs 

Basic Needs mission is to support the basic needs of those in our community such as housing, food, clothing, and coordinated services.

We believe everyone deserves access to the essentials, no questions asked. Basic Needs Inc. is all about breaking down barriers to provide nutritious food, affordable clothing, and connections to vital services. Our community is stronger when everyone has what they need to thrive, and we’re here to make that happen! To learn more about us, visit www.basicneedsmn.org.

A Big Honor!

We’re excited to share that Basic Needs Inc. was named the 2024 Non-Profit of the Year by the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce! This honor fuels our mission and inspires us to reach even higher in helping our neighbors.

Our Programs Include: 

• Food Market: Just this past September, we opened our Food Market in Cottage Grove. This is no ordinary food shelf—it’s a welcoming, walk-in market that empowers people to choose the foods that best fit their needs, including fresh fruits and vegetables and culturally relevant options. It’s entirely run by over 50 passionate volunteers who make it all possible!

  • Our Impact So Far:

    • 836,000+ pounds of food distributed

    • 278,500 pounds of food rescued

    • 120,000+ people served

    • 54,000 households supported

    • 800+ pounds of locally grown produce distributed

• Thrift Shop: Our thrift shop is open to everyone, and it’s a real treasure hunt! Every item donated and every dollar spent goes right back into supporting our programs. It’s shopping that helps the community and the planet at the same time.

• Emergency Voucher Program: We provide vouchers to families in crisis, including many transitioning from homelessness. Over 70% of recipients identify as BIPOC or multi-racial, ensuring help is reaching those who need it most in our community.

• Community Elf Program: This holiday program pairs families and individuals in South Washington County with community sponsors who provide anonymous gifts, spreading holiday cheer and making a real difference for those supported by Washington County Services.

New initiatives

Cultural Relevant Food Program:  Basic Needs has  partnered with Washington County to distribute cultural foods to the East African Community. We plan to continue bringing in more cutlural food options to Black, Latine, and Asian populations. 

School Food Rescue Program:  We will rescue surplus food from cafeterias and redistribute it through our Food Market and engage BIPOC communities. We are currently in 7 schools and be in all 23 schools in  the SoWashCo School District #833 by the end of 2025. This program will introduce food rescue and our free Food Market to the students body.

We need your support! 

Give to the max and donate today to helps us continue making an impact on homeless individuals families in the community!