About Us
Housing insecurity is a nationwide problem, but our team of volunteers, board members, supporters, and staff are working together to make a big difference.
Our Mission
“Servants of Shelter is a community-based nonprofit 501(c)3 that upholds the dignity of persons in need of temporary shelter, permanent supportive housing, supportive services, and resources.”
Homelessness in Koochiching County
How big of an issue is homelessness in our community?
Servants of Shelter provided over 12,000 nights of shelter during the Covid pandemic, over 5,000 nights each year since 2021. We work in collaboration with other local agencies to connect our guests to permanent housing and support services. Homelessness in rural and remote communities such as ours is often invisible, but it very much exists.
What does homelessness look like?
Homelessness is a complex issue and it affects people of all ages, gender, and ability. There is no set formula for homelessness, but often the causes of homelessness are a lack of affordable housing; often compounded by domestic violence, poverty, substance abuse, mental illness and incomes not matching housing prices.
Each year we take part in a national Point in Time (PIT) Homelessness Survey. This year we, along with several local housing, social service, and emergency service agencies took part in the survey and 68 individuals were homeless on one evening in January. This is a gross under-representation of the actual number of homeless in our area, as many people did not come into contact with the surveyors during the limited time the survey takes place.
Our History
We were formed in 2009 following a series of citizen task force meetings on homelessness. SOS was created to fill the gap in services for emergency shelter that was being experienced in Koochiching County at that time. We began by housing people on a rotating basis, and have evolved over time to offer short-term apartment and hotel stays. We are almost entirely volunteer-driven and have been since our inception.
Our Funders
SOS relies heavily on the support of our caring and compassionate community. We hold annual fundraisers such as our popular fundraiser Singing Valentines, Luck of the Irish Family Carnival with the VFW, SOS Rummage Sale, SOS Treasure Sale at the I. Falls Bass Tournament, and Random Acts of Coffee Cards Sale in partnership with the Coffee Landing.
We also thank our funders — past and present:
- Northland Foundation
- Otto Bremer Trust
- Office of Economic Opportunity
- Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl
- Open Your Heart
- Borealis Waters Community Fund
- North Star Electric Cooperative
- Marshall Knudson Family Fund
- Community Planning Fund
- NE MN Continuum of Care – HUD
- UCare Foundation
- Mardag Foundation
- MIDCO