Tusen Tack Programs

Tusen Tack Community Programs is a nonprofit based in Braham, Minnesota (population 1,789) that has provided services and community enrichment to residents of East Central Minnesota for over 30 years. We have only 2 staff members as well as part time custodial support for the event center and thrift store. Over 200 volunteers contribute more than 25,500 hours annually to improve the lives of our neighbors. Our programs include:

• Braham Area Food Shelf
• Alice Studt Library
• Tusen Tack Thrift Store
• Kathy's Kitchen 
• Braham Event Center 

The food shelf is co-located in the event center near the schools, together with the library and Kathy’s Kitchen. We provide senior dining and frozen meals for seniors at the event center. The library provides free access to books, computers and a printer/scanner and hosts educational opportunities for all generations. The event center and Kathy's Kitchen provide opportunities for social and civic engagement, health and wellness, as well as arts and cultural opportunities. Our volunteers served over 16,000 meals last year. An estimated 28,000 people participated in events and activities at the event center in our rural community. The thrift store, located downtown, is the closest place for people in the area to purchase necessities like clothing, furniture, and housewares.  It provides low cost goods in a region that has a comparatively high rate of poverty.

This year, we are asking for your help during our Give to the Max Day Campaign. We have a critical need for funding to be able to continue the work that we do best, uplifting the communities we serve. Your donation today will ensure that Tusen Tack Programs can continue to stock our food shelf with healthy food for families, provide educational, civic and enrichment opportunities for youth and seniors, continue offering good quality, low cost goods at our thrift store, and encourage community engagement.

We encourage everyone to participate in this years giving holiday. With as little as $5 today, you can make a real impact on the people of East Central Minnesota. 

Give by November 16th 2023 and help us reach our goal of $10,000!

Here at Tusen Tack Community Programs, we know there are thousands of other organizations for you to donate to and we sincerely appreciate your contribution to our important cause. Tusen Tack means “thousand thanks” in Swedish.  We are grateful for all our volunteers and the financial support from individuals like you!

Follow Us!

@brahameventcenter on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram

@tusentackthriftstore on Facebook

@brahamareafoodshelf on Facebook

For more information on Tusen Tack Programs and the services and programs that we offer, please visit us at TusenTack.Org and make sure to click the link below to view our 2022 Community Impact Statement!

2022 Community Impact Statement

Alice Studt Library:

Housed within the Braham Event Center, the Alice Studt Library provides convenient access to library resources, including computers with wi-fi access and a printer and scanner, and free access to books and other materials. The library is also a link site with the East Central Minnesota Regional Library System. The Tusen Tack Programs Library, Arts, & Culture Committee schedules monthly community socials and book clubs.

Braham Area Food Shelf:

Also housed within the Braham Event Center, the Braham Area Food Shelf provides food and other items to the community every Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In 2021, the food shelf distributed 57,528 pounds of food to 591 households and 1,541 individuals in our community. 

Braham Event Center:

The Braham Event Center, opened in 2014, serves as a community meeting place for East Central Minnesota. The center is primarily volunteer-run. The Braham Event Center has seen approximately 220,000 people through its doors, including 50 educational and non-profit organizations. In 2021, despite a start to the year with closure due to COVID, we provided a safe space for events and had approximately 18,000 people through our doors. 49.5% of our bookings in 2021 were free or discounted rentals to area non-profit partners.

Kathy's Kitchen:

Kathy's Kitchen, located at the Braham Event Center, is a completely volunteer-run commercial kitchen. In 2021, Kathy's Kitchen served over 10,850 meals in 152 events.  In 2022, we have already surpassed last year's total with a busy fall season ahead.

Tusen Tack Thrift Store:

The Tusen Tack Thrift Store sells donated goods and uses the proceeds to help fill unmet community needs.  Despite being closed for two months in 2020, sales were up 4% from 2019, with 13,410 customers through the doors and 7,756 volunteer hours. The Thrift Store Committee was able to continue with funding for school programs, food shelf, police and fire departments, Pie Day, Braham Appreciation Day, and other community programs.