Current Needs

It is a turbulent, scary time for our clients and simply having all of their basic needs met upon arriving at Cornerstone offers comfort and shows we care. The following items are in short supply right now. Please check the list often. We can accept donations of new, unopened and unused items only. Thank you!

If you have used clothing to donate, please contact Bloomington Covenant Church regarding their Closet of Hope Program at 952.831.8339. 

Current Needs: All items must be new, unopened and unused. See our Amazon Wish List for additional needs. Updated 1/10/2019

• Baby wipes (scent-free or sensitive) – this is a high need
• Yearly planners
• Disinfectant wipes
• Kleenex
• Liquid hand soap in individual dispensers
• After school snacks
  • Granola bars
  • Individual-size bags of chips
  • Fruit snacks
  • Packets of powdered lemonade
  • Water
• Shelter Needs: See a complete list of shelter’s specific needs here.
  • Resealable freezer bags
  • Regular coffee (ground)
  • Personal care items: Deodorant, full-size body wash, full-size body lotion, combs and picks
  • Cleaning supplies for shelter: 15-gallon kitchen trash bags, scrub sponges, Simple Green all-purpose cleaner 
  • Liquid laundry detergent
  • Tennis shoes (all sizes – boys, girls, men, women)
  • Baby soap
  • Sippy cups
• Move-in Kit for Transitional Housing participants: A bucket filled with dish soap, floor cleaner, sponge mop, glass cleaner, wipes and dust spray, tub and tile cleaner, hand soap, toilet bowl cleaner, a roll of paper towels and a broom with dustpan (or any combination of these items). Items may be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/13FHHMSWRV6DF

Volunteer Opportunities for Individuals: All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. A completed volunteer application, interview and background check is required prior to volunteering with Cornerstone. Contact Crystalk@cornerstonemn.org for details. Updated 1/10/2019

• Organize: Help organize our storage rooms.
• Sanitizing: Clean and sanitize our lounge areas and playrooms to help eliminate the spread of germs
• Bloomington Target Donation Pick-up (Thursdays, 1 – 2x a month): Pick up items being donated to Cornerstone from the Bloomington Target
• Event Photographer: Capture professional-quality photographs during Cornerstone events. Provide edited files to Cornerstone within 2-3 weeks of the event. Great for a budding professional event, wedding, candid, portrait or lifestyle photographer!

Volunteer Opportunities for Groups: All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. A completed volunteer application, interview and background check is required prior to volunteering with Cornerstone. Contact Crystalk@cornerstonemn.org for details. Updated 1/10/2019

• Host a Valentine’s Event: Host a Valentine’s event for families on Monday, February 11 from 5:30 to 7pm. Your group would provide a meal for 25 – 30 people. The event would start at 5:30 for 1 ½ hours. Please contact Crystal K. at crystalk@cornerstonemn.org if you are interested.
• Host a Party: Use your imagination and creativity to organize a party for children in our shelter and community programs. Crafts, games, face painting and art projects are some of the many activities groups have done. Good for groups of any size.
• Sanitizing: Clean and sanitize our lounge areas and playrooms to help eliminate the spread of germs
• Host a Donation Drive for families transitioning out of shelter: Cooking up a Storm (kitchen items), Baby Shower, Splish Splash (bath items), Clean Sweep (cleaning supplies), Good Night Sleep Tight (pillows, bedding, pajamas, slippers)

Items Needed Year Round

• Gift certificates for gas, car repair, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, grocery stores and other retail stores to meet specific needs of our clients.
• Used, broken, or unwanted gold and silver jewelry

Donation Drives

Are you looking for an opportunity to gather coworkers, friends, family, neighbors, a scout troop or members of a religious organization together for a good cause? Consider hosting a donation drive of new, unused items. The following are ideas for themed items our shelter and community program need year-round. We are happy to provide fliers or additional information about Cornerstone to make your donation drive a success.

Good Night, Sleep Tight: New sheets, bath towels, washcloths, pillows and pillow cases, pajamas in all sizes for women and children, robes and slippers, alarm clocks, etc.

Baby Shower: Diapers, baby wipes, bottles, baby food, onesies, new socks, shoes, teethers, baby monitors, baby wash, shampoo, lotion, etc.

Breakfast Bundles: Non-perishable food items, individually packaged cereal cups, granola bars, fruit snacks, fruit cups, etc.

Winter Warmth: Waterproof mittens, warm hats, scarfs, boots and waterproof coats in all sizes for women, teens, and children.

Daily Living: Full-sized toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, hair brushes, picks, toilet paper, laundry soap, dish soap, chapstick, etc.

Summer Sunshine: Swimming suits in all sizes for women, teens and children, flip flops, beach towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.