Basic Needs
Itasca is committed to providing excellent educational opportunities
to the communities it serves. We recognize basic needs — including things like food,
housing and transportation — can have a direct impact on the well-being and success of our students.
We’re here to help and support you.
To assist our community in meeting these needs, we’ve compiled the resources below. The information will be revised when appropriate and evolve as necessary.
If you have any questions about the resources our would like assistance connecting with them, please contact one of Itasca’s counselors.
Resources & Info
Text to Get Help
Text your zip code to 898211.
A person who lives in Hibbing, MN, where the ZIP code is 55746 , would text 55746 to 898211.
Trained specialists will connect you with the resources and information you need. If you’re looking for information about services available in your community for you or a loved one, they can help.
Minnesota North College Accessibility/Disability Services
Minnesota Diversified Industries: MDI is an equal opportunity employer providing jobs for people with and without disabilities. If you are a job seeker with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to apply for a job opportunity, please contact a member of the human resources team at 651-699-8281.
- Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Gambling Addiction: National Council on Problem Gambling 24 hour national confidential helpline: Call or Text 1-800-522-4700
- Childcare Grant
- Help Me Connect: a navigator connecting pregnant and parenting families with services in their local communities
- Parent Aware: free tools and resources to help families find quality childcare
Emergency Loans and Grants: available through Itasca. Contact your advisor for assistance
Itasca Foundation: limited emergency funding available
Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation: numerous crisis funds available to
people experiencing crisis situations who need funding for certain expenses. Call 218-326-8565 or contact your advisor for assistance
Viking Food Pantry: Located in Backes Hall room 16
Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am-10an and 11am-1pm and Tuesdays from 10am-11am and 12pm-2pm and Thursdays from 12-1pm and 2pm-3pm. Contact Jackie Gallop for more information. jackie.gallop@minnesotanorth.edu
Community Café: provides a free three-course meal at two Itasca County locations
every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30-6:30pm.
Second Harvest Food Shelf: provides hunger relief for people living in Grand Rapids
and the surrounding area. Open Monday-Thursday 11:00am to 3:30pm and Friday 10:00am-1:00pm.
Ruby’s Pantry: open the third Monday of each month. Registration begins at 3:30pm. Food bundles available from 3:30-5:30pm.
SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program): students may be eligible for up to $208 a month in grocery food cards. Click the SNAP button for more info or meet with your advisor/counselor for assistance.
- Project Care Free Clinic
- Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital: 218-326-7344
- Grand Itasca Rapid Clinic
- Essentia Health Grand Rapids Clinic: 218-322-4900
- Text to Get Help – Text your zip code to 898211.
A person who lives in Hibbing, MN, where the ZIP code is 55746 , would text 55746 to 898211. - Itasca County Health and Human Services: 218-327-2941
- Grace House: a nonprofit organization that provides safe, temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness – 218-326-2790
- Kootasca Crisis Rent Assistance: contact First Call for Help at 218.326.8565 or crisishousing@kootasca.org
- Kootasca Energy Assistance Program
- D.W. Jones Management, Inc.
- Itasca County Housing and Redevelopment Authority: info@itascacountyhra.org or 218-326-7978
- Minnesota North College Counseling Services
- First Call for Help: 218-326-8565
- Minnesota Warmline: Open Monday-Saturday, 12 PM to 10 PM 651.288.0400 | Toll Free 855-WARMLINE or 877.404.3190 or text “Support” to 85511
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime
- Kiesler Wellness Center
- Northland Counseling Center
- Northland Recovery Center
- North Homes Children and Family Services
- Lakeview Behavioral Health
- Modern M.O.J.O.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Itasca County Veteran’s Service Office
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
- VA Clinics and Medical Centers
- Hibbing Community Based Outpatient Clinic 218-263-1400
- Bemidji Community Based Outpatient Clinic 218-755-6360
- Brainerd Community Based Outpatient Clinic 218-855-1115
- Twin Ports (Superior) Community Based outpatient Clinic 715-392-9711
- Minneapolis VAMC 612-725-2000
- St Cloud VAMC 320-252-1670
- Fargo VAMC 701-232-3241
- Support Within Reach: (Sexual assault advocacy) 218-326-5008 or 1-866-747-5008
- Advocates for Family Peace: (Domestic violence resource) 218-326-0388
Limited IT Services are available in the McMahon Student Center
- StarID help
- KOOTASCA’s PCs for People: provides affordable personal computers to low-income individuals and families. contact Michelle Toven at 218-999-5883 or michellet@kootasca.org
- Affordable Connectivity Program: help with monthly bills or one-time help with a device
Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training (NEMOJT)– JET serves job seekers, including dislocated workers, people wishing to enter or re-enter the workforce, youth, and adults interested in training and education. Services include career planning and exploration, personalized job search strategies, funding for postsecondary education, and financial resources to support job search activities. JET is located in the Grand Rapids Career Force Center.
Grand Rapids Career Force
1215 2nd Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
218-327-6758