Get Help at Community Action Center: Food, Housing & Local Resources
Community Action Center (CAC) is a nonprofit organization serving individuals and families in Northfield, Faribault and surrounding Rice County communities in Minnesota. It helps people access groceries, housing resources, emergency assistance, clothing, recovery support and other practical services.
Unlike a typical recreation community center, CAC primarily focuses on meeting basic needs and helping residents navigate difficult situations.
9 AM–4:30 PM
Information reviewed October 2026. Program eligibility, funding availability and service schedules may change.
Community Action Center Locations & Resource Center Hours
1651 Jefferson Parkway, Suite HS-200
Northfield, MN 55057
Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Phone: 507-664-3550
1400 Cannon Circle, Suite 8
Faribault, MN 55021
Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Phone: 507-664-3550
Both resource centers offer help connecting with food, housing, financial assistance, employment and other community support programs.
Food Shelf Hours: Northfield & Faribault
CAC operates food assistance locations with schedules that are different from resource-center office hours.
| Day | Northfield Food Shelf | Faribault Food Shelf |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11 AM–4:45 PM | 11 AM–4:45 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–4:45 PM | 9 AM–1:45 PM |
| Wednesday | Closed | Closed |
| Thursday | 11 AM–4:45 PM | 11 AM–5:45 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–1:45 PM | 9 AM–1:45 PM |
| Weekend | Closed | Closed |
Additional Northfield Food Shelf
Northfield Community Education Center
700 Lincoln Parkway, Northfield, MN 55057.
Thursday: 3:00 PM–6:45 PM, according to the current main contact listing. Other official CAC pages round the closing time to 7 PM; plan to arrive before 6:45 PM.
Who Can Use the CAC Food Shelf?
Community Action Center’s food shelves welcome households needing food support.
- Appointments: Not required.
- Identification: No ID required for food shelf access.
- Income proof: Not required for food shelf access.
- Visit frequency: Households can receive groceries as often as every other week.
- Information requested: Basic household details such as name, address, household size and ages.
- Languages: Staff speak English, Spanish and Somali.
- Accessibility: Proxy shopping and possible delivery arrangements are available in qualifying circumstances.
The food shelves provide items such as fresh produce, dairy, eggs, meat, grains, pantry staples and other available foods. Personal hygiene supplies, diapers and household essentials may also be available.
How to Get Groceries
- Select the Northfield, Faribault or NCEC food shelf most convenient for you.
- Check its food distribution hours rather than its general office hours.
- Visit during the posted shopping period. No appointment is needed.
- Provide basic household information at check-in.
- Follow staff instructions for selecting available groceries.
- Ask about diapers, dietary needs, SNAP assistance or other services if helpful.
- Arrange your next eligible visit based on the every-other-week schedule.
Northfield’s main food shelf uses a randomized morning check-in system to manage lines fairly. Food is generally distributed on a first-come basis once the applicable check-in process is completed.
Housing Assistance & Homelessness Support
CAC offers support for residents experiencing housing instability, homelessness or risk of eviction.
Help navigating short-term emergency shelter and immediate housing needs.
Case management, available financial support and assistance addressing potential loss of housing.
Assistance connecting eligible households with longer-term housing solutions and related services.
Support with housing resources, communication and problem-solving with landlords or other agencies.
How to Ask for Housing Help
- Call 507-664-3550 or visit the Northfield or Faribault resource center.
- Tell staff if you are currently without housing, behind on rent or facing eviction.
- Explain whether you have children, an immediate safety concern or an urgent deadline.
- Bring any available lease, rent notice, eviction paperwork or related documentation; ask staff what is actually required.
- Meet with the appropriate staff member for an assessment and referral or assistance plan.
- Follow the instructions for any specific program application.
Other Programs & Community Resources
Help finding appropriate local resources, applying for qualifying benefits and understanding available assistance.
Support connecting people with work-related assistance and employment resources.
Resources that may help eligible young people participate in recreational sports.
Free support and connections for individuals experiencing substance use challenges or working toward recovery.
Seasonal support that helps students in Northfield and Faribault obtain essential school materials.
Holiday-season assistance supporting families and children through community donations and coordinated programs.
Specialized programs have their own availability, enrollment and eligibility requirements. The best starting point is the walk-in resource center.
CAC Clothes Closet: Hours, Shopping & Donations
The CAC Clothes Closet is a separate location in downtown Northfield offering affordable clothing and accessories. Revenue supports the nonprofit’s wider community services.
| Address | 600 Water Street South, Northfield, MN 55057 |
|---|---|
| Store hours | Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM |
| Clothing donation hours | Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–2 PM |
| Phone | 507-645-1389 |
| Available items | Clothing, coats, shoes and accessories depending on current inventory |
Clothing and accessories should generally be clean, usable and appropriate for the season.
Items not accepted include furniture, appliances, bicycles, mattresses and certain baby equipment such as car seats.
If you need clothing but cannot afford regular prices, ask CAC staff about the available assistance options.
Food & Other Donations: What CAC Accepts
Food donations support the Northfield and Faribault food shelves.
| Accepted donations | Not accepted |
|---|---|
| Sealed pantry food and groceries | Opened or unsealed food |
| Fresh produce and suitable homegrown produce | Home-canned or home-prepared meals |
| Properly frozen food | Thawed previously frozen food |
| Diapers, hygiene products and household supplies | Medication donations |
| Eligible nonperishable items beyond their best-by date | Food with missing labels or compromised packaging |
Food donation hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4 PM at the Northfield or Faribault food shelf locations.
Do not leave donations outside closed facilities. For unusually large or commercial donations, call 507-664-3512 before arranging delivery.
How to Organize a Food Drive
- Select a group, school, workplace or organization to participate.
- Choose one or more donation categories, such as shelf-stable food, hygiene supplies or diapers.
- Set collection dates and communicate the accepted-item rules.
- Collect, sort and inspect items for packaging problems.
- Arrange delivery during regular donation hours.
- Contact CAC before bringing a very large donation or requesting special coordination.
Volunteer at Community Action Center
Community volunteers support the food shelves, Clothes Closet and seasonal programs.
- Sorting and organizing food donations
- Helping with food distribution and stocking
- Sorting clothing and maintaining shop areas
- Participating in seasonal community programs
- Organizing local drives and special projects
Steps to Volunteer
- Visit the official volunteer opportunities page.
- Review current positions at Northfield, Faribault and the Clothes Closet.
- Select a suitable role and available time commitment.
- Complete the organization’s application or registration process.
- Follow any required orientation, training or scheduling instructions.
Can You Rent a Room at Community Action Center?
CAC is primarily a nonprofit assistance organization, not a conventional municipal recreation or party-rental center.
Its public official information does not provide a verified general-purpose room-rental program, wedding venue price list or public hourly rental schedule.
If you represent a nonprofit, community group or local organization seeking an event partnership or meeting arrangement, contact CAC at 507-664-3550 to discuss the request. Do not assume public venue availability.
Community Action Center Maps & Directions
Northfield Resource Center
Faribault Resource Center
Before traveling, confirm whether your visit is for the resource center, food shelf, Clothes Closet or an off-site community program. These services do not all have the same hours or address.
Quick Checklist: Find the Right Help
- Need groceries? Visit the appropriate food shelf during food distribution hours.
- Need housing help? Walk into the Northfield or Faribault resource center or call the main number.
- Need diapers? Ask staff about available diaper assistance during an eligible food shelf visit.
- Need clothes? Visit the Clothes Closet or discuss clothing assistance with CAC.
- Need financial or employment resources? Start at the walk-in resource center.
- Want to donate? Check the accepted-item and drop-off rules first.
- Want to volunteer? Review available roles and complete the organization’s volunteer process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Community Action Center located?
Community Action Center operates primary resource centers at 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Suite HS-200, Northfield, MN 55057, and 1400 Cannon Circle, Suite 8, Faribault, MN 55021.
2. What are Community Action Center’s hours?
The Northfield and Faribault resource centers are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM–4:30 PM. Food shelves and the Clothes Closet have separate schedules.
3. What services does Community Action Center offer?
Services include food access, housing resources, eviction prevention, basic-needs assistance, clothing, employment resource navigation, recovery support and seasonal family programs.
4. Do I need an appointment to visit Community Action Center?
No appointment is needed to visit the walk-in resource centers or use the food shelves. Some specialized services or applications may require additional arrangements.
5. Do I need identification or proof of income for the CAC food shelf?
No. CAC states that food shelf visitors do not need identification or proof of income. Staff request basic household information during check-in.
6. How often can I receive food from the Community Action Center food shelf?
Households can access food as often as every other week at a CAC food shelf, subject to current program arrangements.
7. Does Community Action Center help with rent and housing?
Yes. CAC provides housing navigation, eviction prevention, landlord advocacy, emergency housing support and related assistance. Financial help depends on eligibility and available resources.
8. Where is the Community Action Center Clothes Closet?
The Clothes Closet is at 600 Water Street South, Northfield, MN 55057. Store hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM, and clothing donation hours are 10 AM–2 PM on those days.
9. Can I volunteer or donate to Community Action Center?
Yes. CAC accepts eligible food, clothing and monetary donations and offers volunteer opportunities at its food shelves, Clothes Closet and seasonal programs. Check the official donation guidelines before delivering items.
10. Can I rent Community Action Center for a party or event?
A general public room-rental program or hourly event-space price list could not be verified. CAC primarily provides social and community assistance services. Contact the organization to ask about a specific community event or partnership.
Official Community Action Center Resources
- Community Action Center Official Website
- Locations, Hours & Contact Information
- Food Shelf Programs & Eligibility
- Housing & Eviction Prevention Support
- Walk-In Resource Center Programs
- Food & Clothing Donation Rules
- Volunteer Registration
Independent informational guide. Not affiliated with Community Action Center. Confirm service schedules and individual program availability before traveling.