Community Action Center of Northfield (CAC)

The Operation Joy program, formerly Christmas Sharing, is available to clients of the CAC. Each child receives a pair of handmade pajamas, a book, puzzle or game, mittens or gloves, a stocking stuffer gift and a main gift. Christmas gifts are available for children of all ages.

Please consider purchasing a gift and donating it at the CAC or in a donation box at area banks, grocery stores and churches. We also appreciate donations of seasonal gift wrap and gift tags.

Through a partnership with the USDA and the Minnesota Department of Education, we ensure that children have a healthy, convenient daily lunch option all year round, not just when school is in session.

Balanced meals are prepared by School Food Authorities (SFAs) who serve food for the Northfield School District during the school year and are distributed at determined locations.

Any leftover food goes to the Food Shelf to eliminate waste and further provide for the community.

All Northfield children deserve to start the school year prepared to succeed. Annually, Operation Backpack is held the week before school and provides children with a backpack full of the supplies appropriate for their grade level.

Operation Backpack is coordinated and funded by the Northfield United Methodist Church Women’s Group called The Campaign for Childrens. Operation Backpack is their exclusive mission and the CAC provides client coordination, fiscal agency space and logistics.

The CAC can assist low-income families with participation fees for youth athletics, day camps and other enrichment programs.

With a grant from the Pohlad Family Foundation, the CAC provides summer camp scholarships for youth ages 8–15. Families that qualify for a residential camp scholarship choose from any residential camp belonging to the American Camp Association.