About Sharing and Caring Hands Minneapolis
Sharing and Caring Hands is a trusted Minneapolis nonprofit that serves people in hardship with no questions asked. Established in 1985, this nonprofit drop-in center at 525 N. 7th St. Minneapolis provides food, shelter, and clothing to the unhoused population of the Twin Cities. As of 2020, the organization was feeding about 700 to 800 people daily. Every service is completely free, and all are welcome regardless of income, insurance status, or circumstances.
Hours and Location
To request services, you must come in-person to Sharing and Caring Hands at 525 North 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55405.
Service Request Hours (for beds, food, eyeglasses, and more):
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10:00am OR 12noon
- Thursday: 10:00am
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed
Meal Times:
- Monday–Thursday: 10:00am & 1:00pm
- Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am
- Friday: Closed
Donation Hours (if you want to contribute items):
- Monday–Thursday: 8:00am–3:00pm
- Saturday & Sunday: 8:00am–11:00am
- Friday: Closed
To call ahead with questions, phone (612) 338-4640 (answered Monday–Thursday). Arrive on time or early to ensure service, as there will be a line.
Key Services at Sharing and Caring Hands
Services include meals, clothing, showers, shelter, transportation help, rent deposits, rent help, medical assistance, dental care, furniture, school expenses, and other miscellaneous needs. Here’s what to know about the main programs:
Free Meals
A hot meal is served at the day services center at 10:00am and 1:00pm Monday–Thursday, and at 10:00am on Saturday and Sunday. There is no fee for this service. Food is distributed to those who need it, typically made available through donations.
Food Shelf (Pantry Bags)
Bags of food with boxed and canned pantry items are available Monday–Thursday at 10:00am OR 12noon. The food pantry provides bags of food and is free to everyone, serving residents across the Twin Cities metro area including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepl Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties.
Free Beds for New Housing
Sharing and Caring Hands pays for and delivers beds for those who recently moved into an apartment or home within the last 30 days. Beds are full or twin size and brand new, with one bed per individual or two beds for families. Beds are delivered to Minneapolis, St. Paul, and many surrounding suburbs. Those outside delivery areas can pick up and transport their own beds. Bed orders are done every Monday promptly at 10:00am. You must bring your lease and picture ID.
Eyeglasses Vouchers
Vouchers for eye exams and eyeglasses to a local eyecare center are available for uninsured or under-insured adults Monday–Thursday at 10:00am OR 12noon.
Free Dental Care
Dental services are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis whenever a dentist is available. Services include extractions and fillings. The dental clinic is located downstairs at the Day Services center. All services are free of charge for those with little to no dental coverage. Call (612) 338-4640 to check for dates and times.
Clothing Closet
The Clothing Closet offers free clothing to those in need. If you need these services, stop by during drop-in hours. All clothing is free for clients to walk in and choose from. If you need shoes, ask the front desk for a slip.
Emergency Housing & Shelter
Sharing & Caring Hands provides shelter in apartments for homeless families with two or more minor children. If you’re in need of shelter, bring your entire family at 10:30 A.M. or 1:30 P.M. and they can help. Requests for shelter are considered on an individual basis and are not automatically granted.
Drop-In Support Services
The drop-in center provides eyeglass vouchers for exams and/or glasses for the uninsured or under-insured, shoes, vouchers for state identification/birth certificates, vouchers for places to stay for homeless men, bus tokens, and bus cards for those with proof of recent hire in permanent positions. Many other services are provided on a case-by-case basis based on an individual’s situation and available funds.
Mary’s Place Transitional Housing
Mary’s Place, a transitional housing complex, was opened in 1995. Mary’s Place helps homeless families with children, offering transitional apartments for homeless families with children. For information about Mary’s Place, contact 612-338-4855 at 401 North 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55405.
How to Get Help
Getting help from Sharing and Caring Hands is simple—just show up during service hours at their main location. No appointment is needed, and there are no eligibility requirements or applications to fill out. Everyone is welcome.
- Visit in person: 525 North 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55405
- Call for questions: (612) 338-4640 (answered Monday–Thursday)
- Visit during service hours: Monday–Thursday 10:00am or 12noon (Thursday 10:00am only for most services)
- Bring identification: Picture ID or other proof of identity is helpful
If you’re also looking for other types of support—Housing, Food Resources, Mental Health, Health Care, or Financial Assistance—Hues Hope has a full directory of supportive resources throughout Minneapolis and the Twin Cities.
A Mission Grounded in Compassion
Sharing and Caring Hands is a compassionate response to the needs of the poor and operates as a safety-net organization to help with whatever needs are not being met. The organization provides a host of services to over 20,000 people who come through its facility each month, spending over $400,000 monthly on the needs of the poor.
Whether you’re experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, or simply need emergency support, Sharing and Caring Hands is here to help—with dignity and no shame. You deserve support, and this organization exists to provide it.
Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels