Events Calendar
Fall PIT Stop
One stop. Many hearts. Countless acts of care.
This premier event, sponsored by Van Meter Inc & Marathon Petroleum - St. Paul Park Refinery, is all about lending a helping hand to those in a tough spot, especially folks without a place to call home. It's a team effort where local non-profits team up to offer meals, toiletries, connections to county services, school supplies, and a bunch more to support the homeless members of our community.
Be a Champion for Change — Sponsor the Fall PIT Stop:
Demonstrate your commitment to social impact and housing stability
Strengthen community ties by partnering with trusted local nonprofits
Inspire others—employees, customers, and peers—to be part of meaningful change
Gain positive exposure as a champion for equity and compassion in our community
Together, we can build a stronger, more connected future—starting with those who need it most.
Click here to sponsor! | Sponsorship Package (Download)
📊2024 PIT Stop Impact
👥 400 individuals attended—many experiencing homelessness or living on low incomes
🏘 13 families were placed into stable housing
💉 20 vaccine shots were administered on-site
🏙 Attendees came from 18 different communities, including:
📍 180 from Cottage Grove
📍 68 from St. Paul Park
📍 48 from St. Paul
🤝 Community Power
🏢 35+ community organizations and businesses partnered to make the event possible
💼 Services included food, housing support, health screenings, school supplies, hygiene kits, and more
The 2024 PIT Stop demonstrated the transformative impact of collaboration—from health services to housing placements—changing lives in just a few short hours.
Pasta for a Purpose Fundraiser
🎉 You're Invited to Our Annual Event: Pasta for a Purpose 🍝
Basic Needs is thrilled to host our annual fundraising celebration, Pasta for a Purpose — an Italian buffet extravaganza featuring delicious food 🍽️, a silent auction 🎁, a thrift jewelry pop-up shop 💍, and more! It’s an evening of community, generosity, and impact you won’t want to miss.
We’re reaching out to invite you to become an event sponsor 🤝 and help us make a lasting difference.
Event Flyer (Printable Version) | Event Flyer (Full Color Version)
💡Interested in being a Sponsor?
Providing free food to those in need isn’t free — we need your help! 💛 Every dollar raised through sponsorships goes directly to support our Food Market 🥕, ensuring individuals and families in our community have barrier-free access to nutritious food and essential support.
| Download Sponsorship Package here!
Summer Kick Off Bingo
JUNE FAMILY BINGO + KIDS FUN!
Sunday, June 1
3rd Act Brewery, Woodbury
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM → Pre-BINGO Fun!
Rock Painting
Face Painting
Come early and let the kids get creative before the games begin!
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM → BINGO TIME!
Get ready to shout “BINGO!” and win awesome prizes for the whole family!
Increase your chances to win! If you collect 3 of 4 letters of the word K-I-N-D you will be entered into a drawing to win a prize! One letter will be received at each 2025 BINGO event. You need to be present at all four events to be entered into the drawing. “D” will be given at june Bingo!
Family Bingo
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and score mind-blowing prizes for everyone at this exhilarating family extravaganza. Our energetic Bingo host will lead you through countless rounds of the timeless game, and you won't believe the massive rewards up for grabs. So buckle up for a thrilling ride of non-stop fun! 3rd Act Brewery in Woodbury 1pm-3pm!
$2 per BINGO CARD
Increase your chances to win! If you collect ALL letters of the word K-I-N-D you will be entered into a drawing to win a prize! One letter will be received at each 2025 BINGO event. You need to be present at all four events to be entered into the drawing. “N” will be given at May Bingo!
Battle of the Badges!
Get your tickets now! Join us for the Battle of the Badges Basketball Fundraiser held on May 17th at the Park High School in Cottage Grove. Game Starts at 4pm!
Thank you to our sponsors:
Marathon
Van Meter
Benefiting Basic Needs Inc and SoWashCo Cares
Family Bingo
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and score mind-blowing prizes for everyone at this exhilarating family extravaganza. Our energetic Bingo host will lead you through countless rounds of the timeless game, and you won't believe the massive rewards up for grabs. So buckle up for a thrilling ride of non-stop fun! 3rd Act Brewery in Woodbury noon-3pm!
$2 per BINGO Card
Increase your chances to win! If you collect ALL letters of the word K-I-N-D you will be entered into a drawing to win a prize! One letter will be received at each 2025 BINGO event. You need to be present at all four events to be entered into the drawing. “N” will be given at April Bingo!
Download the event flyer here | Download the K-I-N-D BINGO Rules Here
Fashion for a Cause Annual Gala
Join us for a night of fun, food and fashion to support the Basic Needs Food Market. In addition to the fashion show, there will be a wine wall, silent auction, entertainment and more! Your $100 ticket purchase will make a difference in offering food to those in need.
Family Bingo
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and score mind-blowing prizes for everyone at this exhilarating family extravaganza. Our energetic Bingo host will lead you through countless rounds of the timeless game, and you won't believe the massive rewards up for grabs. So buckle up for a thrilling ride of non-stop fun! 3rd Act Brewery in Woodbury noon-3pm!
$2 per BINGO CARD
Increase your chances to win! If you collect ALL letters of the word K-I-N-D you will be entered into a drawing to win a prize! One letter will be received at each 2025 BINGO event. You need to be present at all four events to be entered into the drawing. “K” will be given at March Bingo!
Pasta for a Purpose Fundraiser at Tinucci's
Providing free food to those in need isn't free. We need your help! All money raised through ticket sales, the silent auction, pop up shop and pick-a-ticket cash boards goes directly to support the Food Market. Make a difference in our community!
THANKS to Gold Sponsors Van Meter, 3M and LSP Cottage Grove LP and Zinc Sponsors Liberty Heating & Cooling and Old National Bank. Special thanks to Tinucci's and the Saint Paul Park Lion's Club for in kind donations!
Tickets on sale by clicking here.
Fall Pit Stop
This premier event, sponsored by Van Meter, is all about lending a helping hand to those in a tough spot, especially folks without a place to call home. It's a team effort where local non-profits team up to offer meals, toiletries, connections to county services, school supplies, and a bunch more to support the homeless members of our community.
Click on the links below to download event event flyers to help promote the event!
English Version | Hmong Version | Somali Version | Spanish Version
Dine to Donate!
Enjoy a meal at Applebee’s in Cottage Grove on Monday, October 21 between 11am and midnight and tell your server you are there for the Basic Needs fundraiser “DOINGGOOD” and 15% of your bill (except for alcohol, gift card sales, and tax) goes to Basic Needs! Eat and benefit our work in the community!
Hunger is a Policy Choice Candidate Forum
Join Basic Needs' Executive Director and Board President as they moderate this important candidate debate!
Family Bingo!
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and score mind-blowing prizes for everyone at this exhilarating family extravaganza. Our energetic Bingo host will lead you through countless rounds of the timeless game, and you won't believe the massive rewards up for grabs. So buckle up for a thrilling ride of non-stop fun! 3rd Act Brewery in Woodbury noon-3pm!
St. Paul Heritage Days
Come visit our booth to win candy, purchase a raffle ticket for great prizes, and stop by our tent to play Bingo and win fun prizes! All money earned supports our Basic Needs free Food Market.
Newport Pioneer Days
Stop by our table in the vendor area to win candy and for face painting! All money donated supports the Basic Needs Food Market!
Hot Pot Fundraiser
Join us at Willie’s Restaurant in St. Paul Park for good food and fun at this unique event! Seatings at 5, 7 and 9pm. $40 per person, with $20 supporting Basic Needs’ work in the community. Purchase tickets here.
This event is similar to a Korean BBQ hot pot. You come in at your reservation time and are seated at a table. This is an all you can eat event, where you pick and order different raw food options. These items are brought to your table. You will have choices of different broths (mild, spicy, vegetarian) that will be brought to your table in a fondue pot, or in a pot on a hot plate. The raw food will be brought to your table where you cook it in the hot pot broth, or in the skillet at your table.
Some of the raw food offerings will be different cuts of beef and pork, chicken and chicken wings, a couple of different fish options, different vegetables such as fresh mushrooms, bok choy, and radish. There will also be a sauce/salad bar to create your own sauce flavors.
We will also be offering saki on a collector glass during service. Full bar service will still be available.
Join us for this unique event while supporting your community!
St. Paul Park Night to Unite
Come on over to Heritage Park in St. Paul Park to learn more about Basic Needs’ services in our communities!
Family Bingo!
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and score mind-blowing prizes for everyone at this exhilarating family extravaganza. Our energetic Bingo host will lead you through countless rounds of the timeless game, and you won't believe the massive rewards up for grabs. So buckle up for a thrilling ride of non-stop fun! 3rd Act Brewery in Woodbury noon-3pm!
Basic Needs Gala: Fashion for a Cause. Making a difference in the lives of others through food and fashion.
Find out how you can join us in making a difference by clicking here!
Bobby's Intermission: Woodbury Theater Event
Join us for the screening of local filmmaker Justin Atkinson’s film “Bobby’s Intermission.” All ticket sales go to benefit Basic Needs! Buy advanced tickets at https://www.woodburytheatre.com/movie/bobbys-intermission
Family Bingo!
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and score mind-blowing prizes for everyone at this exhilarating family extravaganza. Our energetic Bingo host will lead you through countless rounds of the timeless game, and you won't believe the massive rewards up for grabs. So buckle up for a thrilling ride of non-stop fun! 3rd Act Brewery in Woodbury noon-3pm!
FAMILY BINGO
Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and score mind-blowing prizes for everyone at this exhilarating family extravaganza. Our energetic Bingo host will lead you through countless rounds of the timeless game, and you won't believe the massive rewards up for grabs. So buckle up for a thrilling ride of non-stop fun! Join us at Third Act Brewery in Woodbury!
Your participation will make a direct impact on BN initiatives, which include providing barrier-free access through our a-m-a-z-i-n-g fresh food market, offering affordable and top-notch items at our thrift shop, and connecting people with social services to promote a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable community. Get ready to be a part of something extraordinary and help us uplift those who face adversity.
We can't wait to see you there!
Karaoke for a Cause
Join us in raising funds for Basic Needs (BN) programs through an electrifying karaoke afternoon at Willie’s in Saint Paul Park. Your participation will make a direct impact on BN initiatives, which include providing barrier-free access through our a-m-a-z-i-n-g fresh food market, offering affordable and top-notch items at our thrift shop, and connecting people with social services to promote a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable community. Get ready to be a part of something extraordinary and help us uplift those who face adversity.
We can't wait to see you there!
Basic Needs Spaghetti Fundraiser
Purchase tickets now by clicking here. Join us at Tinucci’s for our annual Spaghetti Fundraiser. Thanks to the Lion’s Club, Tinucci’s, and sponsors DoorDash and LSP Cottage Grove LP, the funds raised from this event through food, gambling and raffles will help support our food rescue programs in the community, including our new Food Market, to get food into the hands of those who need it.
Basic Needs Food Market Silent Auction
Auction ends November 12. 100% of winning bids go directly to support the Basic Needs Food Market and food rescue program. Bid now at https://www.32auctions.com/basicneedsfoodmarket
Basic Needs at 3rd Act Brewery
This event will be held at 3rd Act Brewery in Woodbury, MN. Come learn about Basic Needs programs, and have a drink with $1 from designated beer sales benefiting Basic Needs programs.