Building Blocks of Stability Pilot Program
HELP END HUNGER
Building Blocks of Stability Program
At Second Harvest Heartland, we want to end hunger in Minnesota. Right now, one out of every five families in our state struggle to buy the food they need.
We know that getting through today is important, but families also need a plan for tomorrow. We want to help build a future where families don't have to worry about their next meal. That’s why we’ve partnered with Catholic Charities of St. Cloud and University of Minnesota researchers to evaluate a new, one-year program. This study will help us identify the most effective ways to serve our community.
To make this work, we need your help. By joining the program, you aren't just helping your own family. You’re showing us what works so we can support people across Minnesota.
Because this is a special program, there are three rules to join:
- You must be someone who has visited the Catholic Charities of St. Cloud food shelf or mobile food shelf.
- You must live in Todd, Morrison, Stearns, Benton, or Sherburne County.
- You must be 18 or older.
If you sign up, you will be randomly placed into a group. This helps us compare different types of support to see what helps the most.
Depending on your group, you may receive:
- Cash to help pay for groceries or other monthly expenses.
- One-on-one help with other needs you or your family might have.
Everyone who joins will receive payments for answering surveys.
Joining this program is up to you. If you choose not to join, you will still be able to get food and help from Catholic Charities just like always. Joining will not change your current services.
Sign Up Here
Fill Out the Interest Form
Are you ready to build a stronger community? Sign up here – Building Blocks of Stability Pilot Interest Form
If you have additional questions, please email Sarah Peterson at StabilityPilots@2harvest.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Second Harvest Heartland, our mission is to end hunger in Minnesota. Right now, one out of every five families in our state struggle to buy the food they need. We want to help build a future where families don't have to worry about their next meal, so we’re exploring solutions to ensure no Minnesotan goes hungry.
We will determine eligibility for the program based on the information you share. Once we have enough participants, the data, without any identifying information, will be shared with our researchers and they will randomly assign people to one of the study groups. Once assigned, we will contact you with your group assignment and from there you can choose to participate in the program or decline. If you agree to participate, we’ll schedule you for an enrollment session. This session will need to be in person as we need to verify a few documents and get your signature on a few forms.
We will contact you in early August with your group assignment by email or phone.
Yes, this is considered a research project. The benefit of a research project is that precautions have been taken to ensure participants experience maximum benefits and minimal risk while participating in the program. Another benefit is that we can have more confidence in our results and use what we learn to impact food insecurity throughout Minnesota and beyond.
The information you share with us will be securely stored in a database at Second Harvest Heartland. It will be de-identified, meaning your name or any other contact info will be removed, and shared only with our research partners at the University of Minnesota for analysis purposes, and Second Harvest Heartland staff for program administration.
The program lasts for one year, August 2026 through July 27. We will also follow up with participants for a year and half after that. You will only be asked to complete occasional surveys in that follow-up period. You will continue to be paid for all surveys during the follow-up period.
All program participants will be required to take surveys every 3 to 4 months. Other activities will depend on the group you are assigned to. If you agree to participate in the group that you are assigned to, there will be an enrollment session before the program starts where we’ll cover all the details of participation. You can decline to participate in the program or leave the program at any time.
There are five groups total. Four of these groups will receive additional services, either cash assistance and/or one-on-one help connecting to resources. The fifth group will not receive any additional services, just survey payments. The fifth group allows us to better understand differences between groups getting additional services.
$150 for each completed survey, total of nine surveys over the course of the 30-month program. You will receive $1,350 dollars if you complete all surveys.
$500/month for 12 months
Please share the 2harvest.org/stabilitypilots webpage with them or take a flyer or postcard to share with them, and they can sign up using the QR code or web address.
Only one person per household can sign up.