Sad to say …

For now, Stepping Stones is not able to accept donations of food, personal care and household items. This is partially in response to newer variants of COVID, but is also in line with other precautions that we have already been taking to keep our volunteers, staff and clients safe.

We are still gratefully accepting financial donations, including donations to the drop-box at our Stout road location or by clicking on the DONATE button above!

Hail … and farewell!

We extend a warm welcome and look forward to working with this quartet of new faces to the 2021 Stepping Stones’ board of directors. They bring with them such a valuable variety of experience and perspective.

Loren Barker is a retired Lutheran pastor. Tanya Bruder is an attorney with Nodolf Flory, LLP. Heidi Kotnour is a manufacturing manager with 3M in Menomonie. And Katie Kramschuster is a librarian at UW-Stout.

We also bid a fond farewell to the trio of board whose terms have expired. At the end of December, attorney Tim Eiden and retired teacher Jay Ivens completed six-year stints on the board, while Andy Felton served for three years. Each was featured as a Board Member of the Month on Stepping Stones’ Facebook page. Here’s what they had to report about their experience:

Tim Eiden: My time volunteering at Stepping Stones has been a wonderful lesson in how fulfilling and enjoyable service can be.

Jay Ivens: I enjoy seeing first-hand how the efforts of everyone involved directly impact our community.

Andy Felton: The mission of Stepping Stones – helping people reach their full potential – closely aligns with my goal as a mental health provider and as an educator.

We thank our outgoing board members for the wealth of skills, time and enthusiasm they so willing shared with Stepping Stones during their tenure.

What’s Happening at Stepping Stones in 2021!

Stepping Stones continues to be CLOSED to all Walk-Ins. Only staff & volunteers are permitted in the building. We thank you for your understanding.

The Food Pantry is OPEN 3 days a week for curbside pick-up of pre-packed boxes/bags. Anyone in need of food is welcome!

Hours have not changed, just days — Monday: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Wednesday: 3– 6 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. – Noon

Click here for updated Food Pantry information

IF YOU NEED OTHER HELP: If you need some other type of assistance or know someone who does (shelter, emergency financial assistance, etc.) please call or email us: 715.235.2920 info@steppingstonesdc.org We will reply within one business day.

FINANCIAL DONATIONS: If you’d like to make an online donation, please click on the DONATE button above. You can also call us, and we can process a credit card over the phone; or mail your donation to: Stepping Stones, 1602 Stout Rd., Menomonie, WI 54751

Thank you for your support!

Stay Safe! Be Well!

Winter Haven remains closed for 2021

For the past nine years, Winter Haven at 1518 Stout Road was open as an overnight shelter from Nov. 15 through March 31 for homeless adults. Instead of an overnight shelter, it is currently being used as an apartment-style shelter for two households.

Faced with the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Stepping Stones had to make the difficult decision to change how we were serving homeless individuals to keep everyone safe. We have limited funding to put local individuals up in hotel rooms during colder nights. Depending on the weather and a marked increased in the number of individuals and households in need, however, we may not have enough funding to meet the demand.

Although there is a waiting list for both our Stout Road and South Broadway shelters, homeless households can contact Stepping Stones at 715-235-2920 or shelter@steppingstonesdc.org for guidance if shelter is needed.

YOU SHOP.
AMAZON GIVES.

When you’re shopping online please use this Amazon Smile link to have 0.5% of your purchase donated directly to Stepping Stones! It couldn’t be easier to support Stepping Stones and we will all be smiling.

Note: You must use the above link or the Amazon Smile link on Amazon.com—using the mobile app does not give you the option to donate.

Contact Stepping Stones

Serving Dunn County

Stepping Stones seeks to foster a community that prevents hunger, homelessness and isolation throughout Dunn County through its three programs.

FOOD PANTRY

The Food Pantry provides food and personal care items to people in need and is currently averaging over 1,500 visits per month. Stepping Stones also provides Project SAM (Share A Meal) weekend kids meals to students in the Menomonie School district.

SHELTERS

The Stepping Stones Shelters provide emergency shelter, housing assistance, and referral services. There are 5 shelter apartments for families of varying sizes. The apartments are always occupied and a waiting list is maintained.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

The Community Connections Program connects volunteers to people needing support services and provides direct assistance to people in emergency financial need as funds are available.

Statistically Speaking

1,634

Average visits to the Food Pantry per month in 2020, serving an average of 3,356 each month, three days a week (when curbside distribution began in March). Nearly 80% are living at or below poverty level — and the rest very close.

6,287

Nights of shelter provided in 2020 at either one of the Stepping Stones Shelters or at a local motel for short-term stays when the shelters are full.

126

People assisted by volunteers with supportive services such as food deliveries, small home repairs, and yardwork, while $3,085 of direct assistance was provided to help with expenses such as rent, heat, electrical bills, fuel, clothing and other critical needs in 2020.

7,257

Volunteer hours contributed in 2020 to help make all of Stepping Stones’ programs and services possible. Due to COVID-19, Volunteering and Community Service dropped dramatically.

Newsletter & Memorials Archives

Recent news and Memorial contributions

The Stepping Stones Newsletter is a vital communication tool that lets the community know about all of the great work that’s done each quarter by Stepping Stones’ volunteers, board, and staff. You can read about what’s happening with Stepping Stones’ programs, current events, ways to help, and other news and updates. The Gifts & Memorials insert is also included.

Newsletter and Memorials Archives

In the archives, all of the issues for each year are assembled into one PDF volume for your reading pleasure. It’s a great way to get a sense of the enduring work and mission of Stepping Stones!