This season, we asked our members to share what they were most grateful for, and their reflections were truly inspiring. Their responses highlighted the dedication of staff, the resilience of the people they support, and the strength of community partnerships.
TSE Inc.
TSE partners with Every Meal and the Roseville Rotary to support local families experiencing food insecurity. Persons served by TSE volunteer twice each week, assisting with the distribution of approximately 50 meals per visit. Volunteers also complete logistical tasks, including repacking food into sturdier boxes, creating pallets, and ensuring items are protected from pests and ready for delivery.
Every Meal staff and partners have expressed appreciation for the collaboration, “Both your teams are fantastic, and Tangela is awesome! Really grateful for the partnership,” said Barbara Fritz. TSE staff also value the opportunity to contribute,
“We are thankful for these opportunities to support and create meaningful connections in our community,” shared Alex Joy. "Thankful that I am able to go there on Fridays. I love to see all the people's faces and help others out," added Sean.
PAI
At PAI, we’re thankful for our production coordinator, Monti, and our relationships with great community partners! We couldn’t have provided meaningful onsite employment and work experience to hundreds of individuals over the last 22 years without Monti. Recently at PAI, we partnered with a local White Bear Lake Company, You Betcha Box, to bring more employment opportunities onsite for the people we serve. You Betcha Box sells gift boxes featuring artisan, award-winning foods & gifts made exclusively by Minnesota makers – what a perfect match with our mission! Monti has coordinated the arrival of over a dozen pallets and many more boxes of product to PAI, so we’re all set for the holiday season!
This season of gratitude, PAI is thankful for one of our most heartwarming partnerships, Robyn Plum and her therapy dog, Arthur, from North Star Therapy Animals of Pet Partners. Since joining us in 2025, Arthur, a charming King Charles Cavalier, has become a beloved visitor across our program sites. With his gentle spirit, wagging tail, and irresistible affection, Arthur has a special way of lifting hearts and spreading calm wherever he goes. His handler, Robyn, generously volunteers her time to share Arthur’s comforting presence with our participants, and their visits have quickly become a highlight for many.
Arthur’s favorite things include homemade treats, playing fetch with his Chuckit flying squirrel, and naps on Dad’s pillow. His love of giving kisses and receiving belly rubs shows just how affectionate he is. More than anything, it is his natural gift for connection that makes him truly extraordinary. When Arthur visits, you can feel the shift in the room as smiles grow wider, laughter grows louder, and worries seem to melt away.
Pet therapy provides countless benefits such as decreased anxiety, increased social interaction, improved mood, and greater physical activity. We see these positive effects firsthand during every visit. For individuals who may struggle to express themselves, Arthur opens the door to communication and engagement in a way only an animal friend can.
On behalf of everyone at PAI, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Robyn and Arthur for the joy, comfort, and companionship they bring to our programs. Their partnership reminds us that small acts of kindness, shared through love, patience, and a wagging tail, can make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
STEP Inc.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside Tim Schmutzer, CEO at Phase-Industries, whose wisdom, resourcefulness, and steady support have been instrumental in helping me grow as an Executive Director — and, through that growth, in helping STEP, Inc. become a stronger and more effective organization.
Tim has a remarkable ability to translate complex challenges into practical solutions. Whether sharing valuable tools, introducing new resources, or offering perspective born from experience, he has consistently helped me approach leadership with greater clarity and confidence. His guidance has not only made my work more efficient, but has also strengthened STEP’s systems, staff development, and overall impact.
Leadership is rarely a solo effort, and I am deeply grateful for Tim’s partnership through the years. His generosity of time and knowledge has made a lasting difference — for me personally, and for the organization and people we serve every day. — Heidi S. Smith, Executive Director, STEP, Inc.
Floodwood Services and Training, Inc.
FST is thankful for an outpouring of community support.
FST hosted its first bi-annual fundraising gala – Heart of Gold on January 25, 2025. Over eighty (80) supporters passionate about creating positive change in the lives of FST participants gathered for a formal, dazzling evening of elegance, generosity, and compassion.
The evening began with an exclusive cocktail reception followed by a gourmet three-course dinner. Featured were a silent auction featuring twenty (20) luxury baskets, a Wine Pull Raffle, a reverse fund auction and musical entertainment. Each participant also received personalised photographs to commemorate their experience. Their contributions played a pivotal role in making the evening a success. FST was able to purchase two mobility bikes.
Exceeding our fundraising goal - outstanding; providing a fun-filled evening for our supporters – incredible; the reactions of our participants when riding a bike for the first time in their lives - PRICELESS.
MSS
A group of individuals we support is thankful to be back to work at SICK, Inc., especially as the business unveils their slick new facility in Bloomington. "I like it very well, I really do," says Peggy Ramey, who works a few shifts at SICK each week. She is joined by a team consisting of Mike Farrie, Becky Hill, and Bee Lao.
MSS has partnered with SICK, a manufacturer of industrial sensor devices, on and off for over a dozen years. People in our programs work to assemble parts that will eventually fit into massive sensor systems in factories around the country. It's a complex product, but the appeal of the job is simple: "It's great to spend time working towards something," says Mike Farrie. "It's training people how to get out in the community and work."
The group is also grateful for MSS Employment Specialist Amber Munoz Bonilla, who accompanies them to SICK each week. Amber has been instrumental in helping the group meet their coworkers and get comfortable with the new facility. "Amber has done a great job," says Mike. "You can tell her supervisor about that. It would mean a lot coming from us!"
Thanks to Amber and everyone at SICK!
Over the past five years, individuals from MSS Oakdale have become familiar faces at Optage Meals, an organization that prepares and delivers meals to seniors throughout the Twin Cities. With their accommodating staff and inspiring mission, Optage is a business that the group is thankful to assist in any way they can.
MSS Oakdale began volunteering in the company's kitchen a few years ago. More recently, Optage began offering employment opportunities to people in our programs as well. Both employees and volunteers at Optage help to make and package a variety of meals for delivery.
With some individuals working at the organization daily, and a steady rotation of volunteers from our programs, Optage has become a community all its own. "Everyone knows our group," says Oakdale Programming & Community Coordinator Jess Palen. "Optage is great to us there."
Thank you to Optage Meals for supporting our efforts to bring meaningful community engagement and employment to people of all abilities!
