Contact Us
- Phone: (651) 464-3323
- Mailing Address: 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025
Response from Faith
The Be Well Faith committee continues to meet and supports the continuation of our church's current status to refrain gathering in person. We would like to remind all committees and groups at Faith that we are not meeting in person, and your are encouraged to continue your ministry online. Please contact Deacon Nina to talk through ways that your ministry can remain vibrant through this time where we are not gathering. #distanceNOTdisconnect
Health
- Health questions: 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 7am-7pm
- School and child care questions: 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 7am – 7pm
- If you are sick & testing Information
- Cleaning and disinfecting advice
Important Information About Your Cloth Face Coverings (PDF)
Learn general recommendations for the use of face cloth coverings and how face cloth coverings are different from other mask types.
How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Face Covering (PDF)
Resource on the proper use of cloth face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Abuse and Violence Protection
Child Abuse Prevention
With school closures, experts are warning of a potential increase in child abuse. Stay-at-home orders have kept teachers from being able to observe and report signs of abuse. And stressors from the pandemic (think: job loss, bills) could put kids further at risk, without a safe way to escape or call for help. Some states have seen hotline calls decrease as much as 70% – a figure that raises concern abuse is going unreported and undetected.
If you believe a child is being abused, neglected, or in immediate danger of being harmed, call 911 or your local police department. You can also contact The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD.
Sexual and Domestic Violence or Human Trafficking
Staying home, especially if you are sick, can reduce the spread of COVID-19. But it can make it more difficult for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence or human trafficking to get help. For any victims and survivors who need support, contact the Minnesota DayOne Hotline by calling 1-866-223-1111 or texting 612-399-9995. You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by texting LOVEIS to 22522.
Food
Emergency Food Support
Information to find support or apply for income-based assistance available here
Metro Mobility Grocery/Supply Delivery: Metro Mobility customers can now schedule the service to pick up and deliver grocery or essential household supply orders for free. More information here or call 651-602-1111, TTY: 651-221-9886
A new program called P-EBT, is for students who are normally able to get free or reduced price school meals. Apply and get up to $325 per child to spend on groceries.
Food Pantries & Meals Available
Community Helping Hand, 408 – 15th Street SW, Forest Lake 55025, 651-464-0061
Offered food packs to families in the Forest Lake Area School District that receive reduced or free lunch. Text 651-505-1493.
*Now providing food delivery to seniors without transportation. Call 651-464-0061.
Elim Lutheran Church, 20971 Olinda Trail N, Scandia, MN, 651-433-2723
Food available by appointment only. Call the church number between 9 am – 4 pm for more information or visit on-line.
Family Pathways Food Shelf Forest Lake, 935 Lake St S., Forest Lake 55025, 651-464-4713
Operate normal hours, but is shifting to a drive-up pre-packaged model
Family Pathways Food Shelf Chisago City, 10586 Liberty Ln, Chisago City 55013, 651-257-1308
Forest Lake YMCA, 19845 Forest Rd N, Forest Lake, MN 55025, 651-259-2133
Anyone in the community may pick up meals from Noon – 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Meal packages for a family of four including a protein, vegetables and other fresh food. Also, lunch bags with a sandwich, snacks and fruit are available. Food will be outside or right inside the door for pickup. Please practice physical distancing when picking up food.
Linwood Community Church, 6565 Viking Blvd NE, Wyoming 55092, 651-462-3780
Will stock a blessing box with non-perishable foods that can be found in the parking lot by the community garden. Church members will grocery shop for anyone who needs the service.
Meals for kids
This is an interactive map that has all school locations to get meals from.
Grab and Go lunches from Forest Lake School District
Hours are from 10am-12pm. No service during spring break, but starts again Wednesday, April 1st. Eligible kids are those who participate in the free and reduced price lunch program. No verification will be required pick up sites.
Forest Lake Area High School
Forest View Elementary
LILA Main Campus
Lino Lakes Elementary
Wyoming Elementary
North Lakes Academy will offer grab and go meals for families in need, call 651-982-2773
The Sheridan’s Story is partnering with the YMCA to offer free meals to kiddos. Here is the link for all 26 YCMA locations participating in this. Forest Lake YMCA is included.
North Branch Area Public Schools will have grab and go bag meals for all students under the age of 18 at satellite locations Mon – Fri between 3-4pm from March 18 – March 27th at the following locations:
Sunrise Estates Mobile Home Park (Stacy) Starlight Ln and Sunrise Dr.
Countryside Mobile Home Park (North Branch) 12th Ave and Maple Street
Harris empty parking lot (Harris) 439th St and Forest Blvd next to Country Charm Store
Almelund - Carl Almquist Lions Park, just south of 95 on Park Trail
Casselberry (North Branch) – Coventry Dr and Hillshire Ave, bus will park on Coventry Dr.
Restaurants offering free meals for kiddos
Smokey’s Pub N’ Grill, 552 Lincoln Dr, East Bethel 55092, 651-464-6046
11am-8pm pick up time, ham & cheese sandwiches and bag lunches
Big Apple Bagels, 508 S. Lake St., Forest Lake 55025, 651-464-4997
6am-3pm, Free lunch for kids K-8th grade, sandwich on bread (ham or turkey), small soda, chips, and applesauce
Key’s Café and Bakery, 1960 W. Broadway Ave., Forest Lake 55025
10am-3pm, free meals for kids, ham sandwich, mac and cheese, or peanut butter & jelly, all options coming with a pickle and chips
Forest Hills Church will host a drive-through version of Ruby’s Pop-Up Pantry on Sat, March 21st from 8-10am
Free Meals for Kids app is now available in the GooglePlay store or Apple Store for FREE. The app uses GPS to find food distribution locations, hours, days, and more near you. More information
Mental Health
Note: If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911.
MDH Supporting Mental Well-being during COVID-19 (PDF)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Crisis Phone Line: 1-800-273-8255 - 24/7 Free & Confidential Support
Mental Health Minnesota: Get Help in a Crisis
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Resources for Youth
Dr. Barbara Stroud VIDEO: Managing Emotions COVID-10 Tips for Parents
National Alliance on Mental Health Illness Minnesota: General CoViD-19 Information
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: Talking with Children About the Coronavirus Disease
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: Managing Stress & Anxiety
Mental Health Minnesota Apps: Manage Your Mental Health, Get Support, Find Resources
Mental Health Minnesota: COVID-19 Social Isolation
Mental Health Minnesota: Minnesota Warmline - Open Monday-Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Call 651-288-0400 or 1-877-404-3190 or Text ‘Support’ to 85511
Housing
If you have experienced loss of income due to COVID-19, Washington County has financial relief available for homeowners and renters.
Parents with Young Children
Child Care options
Linwood Covenant Church has a number of young people willing do to in-home babysitting at no charge. Email Pastor Dave VanAcker at for details.
Children of health care providers, first responders, law enforcement, and critical services are eligible for child care at Wyoming Elementary and Forest View Elementary during normal school hours. Parents may purchase care for the hours of 6-9am and 4-6pm if needed.
The Forest Lake Area Good Samaritans offer to help people in Forest Lake and the surrounding area in any way they can. Reach out to them by emailing: or call 651-538-0255.
The Scandia-Marine Lions are continuing assistance programs for families in need. Contact Mike White at or Bruce Swenson 651-433-2619.
Technology Support
Reduced price Chromebooks for distance learning
Unemployment
Veterans
Veterans Relief Grants
Veterans can apply for new Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs relief grants during this difficult time. Learn more and apply here.
Voting
If you are concerned about the spread of COVID-10 while voting, you can apply for an absentee ballot here.
County Specific Information
Washington County
City of Forest Lake specific COVID-19 website
Chisago County
Distance Learning Plan: Posted on 3/24/2020
*Resources are found on the Facebook Page: “Chisago County Public Health”
WAYS TO HELP
Financial Assistance for Neighbors – Friends and neighbors are coming to us to get help for things like groceries, gas money, and making sure their rent is paid. If you are able, you can make a special gift to this fund to help those who are struggling financially during this time of Covid-19. Checks can be sent to Faith for “Direct Assistance Fund.” You may also give online and put your contribution amount in the box next to “Direct Assistance.”
Give Blood - Blood supplies are short right now and there are actually several blood drives in our area. Please make sure you have permission from your medical provider or know you are not at risk to donate.
Mask-Making – We are collecting homemade masks for MaskUpMN. Check out the MaskUPMN website for instructions on masks. These can be dropped off at Faith, while the office is open. Please use Door 1.
Pray. Pray for those you know who are affected by this. Pray for your friends and neighbors laid off or furloughed from work. Pray for parents at home trying to be teachers. Pray for those who must choose between their health and a paycheck. Pray for those who are isolated and alone. AND pray with thanksgiving for those things that you get to experience (like family time) or let go of in these days. Check out our prayer calendar for more prayer suggestions or join our prayer chain by emailing
Reach Out! – Make phone calls (or use another way of connecting) with people you know who live alone, are isolated, far from family, or could use a listening ear, personal story, or word of hope.
Stay home. Our bishop has reminded our synod’s clergy that this is how we love our neighbor. So many people are vulnerable to this illness – and we don’t necessarily know who might have an underlying health condition or a weakened immune system. Stay home out of love and care for many people in our church and community who may be vulnerable.
Volunteer – We are coordinating volunteers for various kinds of work. Email
to be added to our volunteer list. Volunteers can say yes to opportunities that they are able to complete. Options have included delivering items, sending kids artwork to shut-ins, phone calls, writing cards/letters