A Sacred Network of Mutual Aid
Minnesota
Resources & Refuge
"You are not alone. Whatever has brought you here, there is help across the North Star State — from the Twin Cities to Duluth to the prairie. Shelter, food, healing, and hands ready to hold yours. Begin wherever you need to."
Immediate Help in Minnesota
Find Help Now
Real, currently operating resources across Minnesota. Choose a path below — each holds verified shelters, programs, and organizations ready to help today.
The Sanctuary
Emergency shelter and a safe place to rest across Minnesota.
Hennepin Shelter Hotline
City: Minneapolis / Hennepin County
Services: Single point of access for shelter if you need a place tonight or are sleeping outside
Notes: The fastest way to find a shelter bed in the Minneapolis area. In the metro overall, the Metro Shelter Hotline is 1-888-234-1329.
Phone: 612-204-8200
Metro-wide: 1-888-234-1329
Catholic Charities Higher Ground — Minneapolis
City: Minneapolis
Services: 171 shelter spaces, hot dinner, housing case management, and on-site Hennepin Healthcare for the Homeless
Notes: Pay-for-stay beds ($7/night) are open 24/7; free beds also available. Up to $500 held in trust toward a future rental deposit.
Website: cctwincities.org
Catholic Charities Higher Ground — St. Paul
City: St. Paul
Services: Overnight emergency shelter for single adults, medical respite, and meals/services at the Opportunity Center
Notes: Part of the Dorothy Day Place campus. Call to reserve a bed, or visit in person 10am–4pm weekdays.
People Serving People
City: Minneapolis
Services: One of the region's largest shelters dedicated to families with children, with meals and supportive services
Notes: For family shelter, call the Hennepin Shelter Hotline (612-204-8200) for placement.
Website: peopleservingpeople.org
Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities
City: St. Paul
Services: Overnight shelter, meals, recovery programs, and supportive services
Notes: Faith-based; serves anyone in need.
Address: 435 University Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55130
Website: ugmtc.org
Minnesota Shelter Directory (211)
City: Statewide
Services: Statewide listing of shelter options plus 24/7 help finding a bed anywhere in Minnesota
Notes: Dial 211 (or text your ZIP) for shelter placement in your county.
Phone: Dial 211
Website: 211unitedway.org
No safe place tonight? In the metro, call the Hennepin Shelter Hotline (612-204-8200) or Metro Shelter Hotline (1-888-234-1329). Anywhere in Minnesota, dial 211.
Bread of Life
Food banks, helplines, free meals, and pantries across Minnesota.
Second Harvest Heartland
City: Statewide
Services: One of the nation's largest food banks, supporting 1,000+ food shelves and meal programs; free SNAP application help
Notes: Call the Care Center for one-on-one help finding food and applying for SNAP, in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.
Phone: 866-844-3663
Website: 2harvest.org/find-food
Minnesota Food HelpLine
City: Statewide
Services: Food shelf listings, SNAP screening and application help, and referrals — a program of The Food Group
Notes: Call or text, Mon–Fri 10am–5pm. Interpreters available in many languages.
Phone: 1-888-711-1151
Website: hungersolutions.org
The Food Group — Find Help Map
City: Statewide
Services: Searchable map of food shelves, free meals, and discount grocery programs
Notes: Enter your address to find food near you.
Website: thefoodgroupmn.org
Loaves & Fishes Minnesota
City: Twin Cities & Greater MN
Services: Free, healthy dinners served at community dining sites — no questions asked
Notes: Open to anyone who is hungry. Check the site for current locations and meal times.
Website: loavesandfishesmn.org
SNAP stretches further than any pantry — apply at mnbenefits.org (see The Providence), and you can use a shelter as your address. The Food HelpLine can mail you an application.
The Healing Hand
Free and low-cost clinics, behavioral health, and care for people without stable housing.
Hennepin Healthcare for the Homeless
City: Minneapolis / Hennepin County
Services: Medical care delivered in shelters (including Higher Ground) and clinics for people experiencing homelessness
Notes: Meets people where they are. Ask shelter staff or call Hennepin County for the nearest clinic.
Website: hennepinhealthcare.org
Medical Assistance & MinnesotaCare
City: Statewide
Services: Free or low-cost health coverage — doctor, hospital, mental health, prescriptions
Notes: Apply through MNbenefits or MNsure. Many adults qualify based on income.
Website: mnbenefits.org
Community Health Centers (FQHCs)
City: Statewide
Services: Sliding-scale medical, dental, and behavioral health care regardless of ability to pay
Notes: Centers like NorthPoint Health & Wellness (Minneapolis) serve all. Dial 211 to find the nearest.
Phone: Dial 211
Minnesota Warmline
City: Statewide
Services: Peer mental-health support if you're struggling but not in immediate crisis
Notes: 7 days a week, 9am–9pm. Text "Support" to 85511 or call.
Phone: 651-288-0400 / 855-927-6546
For a mental-health or substance-use crisis, call or text 988 anytime — free, confidential, 24/7.
The Haven
Safe places to shelter from the cold, plus guidance on camping and parking in Minnesota.
Warming Centers & Day Spaces
City: Twin Cities & statewide (winter)
Services: Daytime warming spaces — the Opportunity Center, public libraries, Peace House Community, and seasonal warming sites
Notes: Minnesota winters are dangerous. Catholic Charities Opportunity Center (740 E. 17th St, Minneapolis) is open weekdays 8am–4pm. Dial 211 for the nearest site.
Phone: Dial 211 (24/7)
Street Outreach
City: Minneapolis, St. Paul & major cities
Services: Outreach teams who meet people sleeping outside and connect them to shelter and care
Notes: St. Stephen's Human Services runs Minneapolis street outreach. Request outreach through 211 or the shelter hotline.
Phone: Dial 211 · Hennepin 612-204-8200
Camping & Vehicle Dwelling — Know Before You Stay
City: Statewide
Services: Guidance on where it is and isn't legal to sleep outdoors or in a vehicle
Notes: Rules vary by city and county and can change quickly. Before settling somewhere, check with local outreach or 211, and see Rights & Laws below.
Phone: Dial 211 (24/7)
Minnesota winters can be deadly to sleep through unsheltered. If you have nowhere safe to go, please call the shelter hotline or 211 — they will find the nearest warming center or bed right now.
Living Waters
Showers, laundry, restrooms, and personal-care access through day centers.
Catholic Charities Opportunity Center
City: Minneapolis
Services: Day center with showers, meals, restrooms, and connection to housing and services
Notes: Open 8am–4pm weekdays and 8am–2pm Saturdays.
Address: 740 E. 17th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Website: cctwincities.org
St. Paul Opportunity Center
City: St. Paul
Services: Day services, meals, showers, and resource navigation at Dorothy Day Place
Notes: Across from the Higher Ground St. Paul shelter.
Address: Dorothy Day Place, St. Paul, MN 55102
Website: cctwincities.org
Listening House of St. Paul
City: St. Paul
Services: Drop-in day center offering community, basic needs, restrooms, and support
Notes: A welcoming space to rest, connect, and find help during the day.
Website: listeninghouse.org
Peace House Community
City: Minneapolis
Services: Daytime community space with restrooms and a hot lunch served midday
Notes: Open weekdays 9:30am–2:30pm; lunch around 11:30am–12:30pm.
Address: 1816 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Hygiene and laundry access shifts by location and season. 211 keeps the most current list of open day centers near you.
The Guardian
Free civil legal aid — your rights around housing, eviction, benefits, and safety.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
City: Twin Cities & central Minnesota
Services: Free civil legal services for low-income people, seniors, and people with disabilities — housing, benefits, family
Notes: Includes the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis. Free and confidential.
Phone: 612-334-5970
Website: mylegalaid.org
HOME Line
City: Statewide (renters)
Services: Free legal help and advice for renters — repairs, evictions, deposits, and tenant rights
Notes: Minnesota's tenant hotline. See the website for the current hotline number and online help.
Website: homelinemn.org
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
City: St. Paul & southern Minnesota
Services: Free civil legal services in critical matters — housing, public benefits, and more
Notes: Serves St. Paul and the southern counties of the state.
Website: smrls.org
LawHelpMN.org
City: Statewide
Services: Free legal information, self-help guides, and a tool to find the legal-aid office for your area
Notes: The best starting point for understanding your rights in Minnesota.
Website: lawhelpmn.org
Facing eviction? Don't wait for the court date — contact HOME Line or Legal Aid as soon as you receive a notice. Many Minnesota evictions can be expunged from your record afterward.
The Providence
Government benefits — food, health coverage, cash assistance, and emergency help.
MNbenefits
City: Statewide
Services: The official portal to apply for SNAP, cash assistance, emergency aid, and health coverage — in about 20 minutes
Notes: One application for many programs. You can use a shelter as your address.
Website: mnbenefits.org
MFIP & Emergency Assistance
City: Statewide
Services: The Minnesota Family Investment Program provides food and cash to families with children, plus work and childcare support
Notes: Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) supports adults on SSI. Apply through MNbenefits or your county.
Website: mn.gov/dhs
Social Security Administration
City: Statewide
Services: SSI and SSDI disability benefits, retirement, and survivor benefits
Notes: You can apply without a permanent address. Ask about expedited SSI if you're homeless.
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
Website: ssa.gov
Minnesota 211
City: Statewide
Services: Free, confidential help finding any benefit, program, or service in Minnesota
Notes: Available 24/7. Try the Bridge to Benefits screening tool to see what you qualify for.
Phone: Dial 211
Website: 211unitedway.org
If your benefits are denied or wrongly cut, legal aid (see The Guardian) can help you appeal for free. The FHPAP program can also help prevent homelessness with emergency funds.
The Shepherd
Faith-based and community organizations offering food, shelter, and warm support.
Catholic Charities Twin Cities
City: Minneapolis & St. Paul
Services: Higher Ground shelters, Dorothy Day Place, Opportunity Centers, family shelter, meals, and housing
Notes: One of Minnesota's largest service providers. Help for people of all faiths.
Website: cctwincities.org
Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities
City: St. Paul
Services: Shelter, meals, recovery programs, dental and medical clinics, and job training
Notes: Faith-based; see The Sanctuary for shelter details.
Address: 435 University Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55130
Website: ugmtc.org
Sharing and Caring Hands
City: Minneapolis
Services: Meals, shelter (Mary's Place), clothing, showers, transportation, and emergency help
Notes: A beloved Minneapolis ministry meeting immediate needs with dignity.
Website: sharingandcaringhands.org
The Salvation Army Northern Division
City: Statewide
Services: Food pantries, emergency assistance, shelter, and seasonal support
Notes: Local corps across Minnesota. Find your nearest through 211.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Many Minnesota congregations quietly help neighbors beyond what's listed here. If you have a home church, ask — and 211 can connect you to faith-based aid near you.
Know Where You Stand
Minnesota Rights & Laws
A plain-language look at the laws that affect people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota.
The Cold Weather Rule
Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule protects your heat from October 1 through April 30. Utilities cannot disconnect your heating service during this period if you set up and keep a payment plan.
You must contact your utility to apply for protection — it isn't automatic. If you're behind, ask about the Cold Weather Rule right away.
Energy Assistance (through your county or 211) can also help pay heating bills.
Strong Renter Protections
Minnesota renters have robust rights, and free help is available through HOME Line and Legal Aid.
- A landlord cannot evict you without a court process
- "Self-help" evictions (lockouts, shutting off utilities) are illegal
- Many eviction records can be expunged afterward
- Renters have rights to repairs and the return of deposits
Benefits Without an Address
You do not need a permanent address to get SNAP or other help in Minnesota. You can list a shelter, or have your EBT card mailed to a shelter, church, or trusted friend.
Apply in about 20 minutes at MNbenefits, and ask the Food HelpLine for help. Homeless applicants may qualify for expedited food benefits.
The FHPAP program offers emergency funds and shelter to prevent homelessness.
Camping & Public Space
In 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson that cities may enforce anti-camping rules even when shelter beds are full.
Minnesota has no single statewide camping law — rules are set by each city and county, and some clear encampments on short notice.
Before settling in one place, check local ordinances or ask outreach workers. If your belongings are taken during a cleanup, contact legal aid.
Across the North Star State
Help by Region
Resources reach across Minnesota. Here's where to start in some of the larger communities.
Minneapolis & Hennepin
Hennepin County
Higher Ground Minneapolis, People Serving People, the Opportunity Center, Sharing and Caring Hands, and Hennepin Healthcare for the Homeless.
Start: Hennepin Shelter Hotline 612-204-8200.
St. Paul & Ramsey
Ramsey County
Dorothy Day Place (Higher Ground St. Paul), Union Gospel Mission, Listening House, and Southern MN Regional Legal Services.
Start: Higher Ground St. Paul 651-266-1050 or dial 211.
Duluth & the North
St. Louis County
CHUM and the Damiano Center provide shelter, meals, and day services across the Northland.
Start: Dial 211 for shelter and food in Duluth.
Rochester & the Southeast
Olmsted County
The Landing MN, Salvation Army, Channel One Regional Food Bank, and county social services.
Start: Dial 211 for the nearest shelter and pantry.
St. Cloud & Central
Stearns County
Catholic Charities of St. Cloud, Place of Hope Ministries, and regional food shelves.
Start: Dial 211 or apply at MNbenefits.
Greater Minnesota
Statewide
Second Harvest Heartland, the Food HelpLine, Legal Aid, and county human-services offices reach every corner of the state.
Start: Dial 211 — it covers every Minnesota ZIP code.
Pathways Forward
Minnesota Programs
Larger state initiatives that move people from crisis toward stable housing.
Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance Program (FHPAP)
Through: Minnesota Housing & local agencies
Helps with: Emergency shelter and financial help for families and individuals who are homeless or about to be.
Start: Dial 211 to reach the FHPAP grantee in your county.
Coordinated Entry
Through: Each region's Continuum of Care
Helps with: A single assessment that prioritizes you for available shelter and housing in your community.
Start: Metro via the shelter hotlines; greater Minnesota via 211.
Energy Assistance & the Cold Weather Rule
Through: Minnesota Energy Assistance Program
Helps with: Paying heating bills and protecting your heat from shutoff during the winter months.
Start: Dial 211 or contact your utility to set up Cold Weather Rule protection.
Find Help Near You
Resource Map
An interactive map of Minnesota resources is on its way as the Network grows.
Interactive Map — Coming Soon
Soon this map will plot shelters, food, clinics, hygiene sites, and warming centers near your location across Minnesota.
Until then, dial 211 anytime for live, location-based help — or choose a city to be pointed in the right direction.
The Network Grows
Angel Outreach in Minnesota
Beyond these public resources, the Angel Network is preparing its own offerings for people in need across Minnesota.
Angel Offerings — Gathering
As angels gather and The Chalice fills, Hope & Grace will extend direct blessings, partner outreach, and community support to souls right here in Minnesota.
These offerings will appear here as the Network grows. If you are in need today, please request a blessing — and lean on the verified resources above in the meantime.
You Are Not Alone
However You Arrived Here
Whether you need shelter tonight or hope to one day become an angel for someone else — there is a place for you in this Network.