Connections Shelter

09/30/2026

Today is the LAST DAY to vote and share with your community for Connections Shelter in Target Circle. It's a real way to help give to those in need of shelter simply through a few easy clicks! Share this with your friends and cast your votes for Connections!

09/22/2026

One meal can make a big difference. 🍽

We are switching back to our fall schedule from our successful first summer open! This summer our guests have been enjoying grab and go meals thanks to generous donations from South Central MN Food Recovery, Mankato MoonDogs, Federated Insurance, Region Nine Development Commission and more. We are so grateful for our community partners!

Starting October 1 we are bringing back our volunteer made and served hot meals. Sign up today to prepare, bring, and serve a meal for 50 guests for our overnight shelter. Whether you're volunteering as an individual or with a group, your support helps provide nourishment and hope to those who need it most.

📍 Meal and Serving opportunities available now.
Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0544ACA922AAFA7-65360401-shelter #/

Connections Shelter is an ecumenical organization supporting people experiencing homelessness in the Mankato area. We offer emergency overnight shelter year-round.

08/30/2026

We are in search of a new or gently used shower chair for Shelter.
Would anyone have one available to donate?

08/28/2026

Don’t forget there is still another month to vote and share with your community for Connections Shelter in Target Circle. It's a real way to help give to those in need of shelter simply through a few easy clicks! Share this with your friends and cast your votes for Connections!

08/27/2026

Come say hi to Liz at the Greater Mankato Growth Volunteer Fair at Bethany today from 1-3pm and learn about volunteer opportunities with Connections Shelter. We'll be starting up meals and serving on October 1st and the sign up is now open!

07/01/2026

We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us!

Now through September 30, vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divided up!

We’re asking our supporters to help us make the most of this incredible opportunity. Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds as we continue our mission to
walk with our guests experiencing homelessness!

Don’t forget, as you earn more votes, you can keep voting multiple times during the campaign!

Thank you for your support, and we encourage you to share your support for us (and your thanks to Target) on social media throughout the voting!

06/17/2026

What a magical evening!

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who attended Connections Shelter's 2nd Annual Midsummer Soiree. Whether you joined us as a guest, sponsor, donor, volunteer, or supporter, you helped create an unforgettable night of community, generosity, and hope.

Under the twinkling lights of the Arboretum, surrounded by laughter, friendship, and a little midsummer magic, we were reminded that when a community comes together, incredible things happen. Every dollar raised helps ensure that our neighbors experiencing homelessness have access to shelter, support, and the opportunity to build a brighter future.

A special thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, planning committee, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to bring this enchanted evening to life. We simply couldn't do it without you.

If you weren't able to attend, or if you'd like to relive some of the magic, check out this wonderful write-up from the Janesville Journal - https://janesvillejournal.com/2026/06/17/an-elegant-evening-for-a-critical-cause-whimsy-meets-philanthropy-at-second-annual-soiree/

As Shakespeare wrote, "Though she be but little, she is fierce." Together, our community continues to prove just how powerful compassion can be.

Thank you for believing that Hope Starts Here.

Under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights at the Gustavus Adolphus College Arboretum, local supporters gathered on a warm Friday evening on June 12 for “A Midsummer Soiree.  An enchanting…

06/12/2026

The weather is beautiful. The tables are set. We have a chair for you and tickets still available at the door. We hope you can join us tonight for A Midsummer Soiree at the Gustavus Arboretum!

06/09/2026

At our Midsummer Soiree, partake of our “Fact or Fiction Fairy Hunt” to discover our hidden sprites throughout the garden. Each will have important information on the unhoused and the experience of homelessness in the nation and Mankato. Find them all and earn a chance to win a beautiful diamond earrings from Carol Brady Jewelry. These total half-carat lab-grown diamonds are exquisite and can be a perfect touch to your Soiree experience!

Thank you Carol Brady for sponsoring our Fact or Fiction Fairy Hunt!

Don't have your tickets yet, this is just one of the many activities you won't want to miss out on at Friday's A Midsummer Soiree. Get your tickets today!

06/05/2026

Just ONE WEEK until the Midsummer Soiree!

The garden will soon be glowing, the music will be playing, and our community will come together for an unforgettable evening in support of Connections Shelter.

Tickets are selling quickly, and time is running out to reserve your place at this special event. Join us for an evening of delicious food, refreshing drinks, silent auction treasures, and meaningful impact as we celebrate hope, community, and the future of year-round shelter services.

Every ticket purchased helps provide shelter, support, and a path forward for neighbors experiencing homelessness right here in our community.

Get your tickets today before they're gone!

Ticket sales close soon—don't miss your chance to be part of this magical evening.