About Us

Our Mission

Meeting the local needs of hunger, affordable quality goods and community building.
We envision a connected community creating hope and a quality of life in which all people thrive.

Core Values

People | We treat individuals as being worthy of our love, respect, and care.

Service | We believe that people benefit from serving and being served.
Relationships | We connect individuals and groups to create purposeful partnerships.
God | We exist to accomplish God’s purposes. 

Key Verse

Isaiah 58:10

……..”if any of you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry & satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness & your night will come like the noonday.”

Since 2009,

RiverWorks has continued to evolve & grow since its inception. The concept of Community Helping Community has been around from those first days when it began with a few informational meetings with interested members. Programs and services have changed, evolved, and grown all while our community continues to rally to help our neighbors! Our journey to today wouldn’t have been possible without such endless support and it’s because of that same support we can continue growing our impact in our community!

2009

Founder Brian Howe built support for the concept through Riverwood Covenant Church and its members. Becoming a 501(c)3 approved non-profit in June.

2010

RiverWorks Food Shelf opened its doors. Inaugural Steak Fry Fundraiser took place.

 

2011

Inaugural Crow River Christmas, 4 Christmas trees were lit in the park.
Now lighting over 100 trees each year!

2012

The Inaugural Thousand Hearts Serve Day.
RiverWorks Thrift Store opened at the Rockford Mall.

2015

RiverWorks added Lunch Box Fever (now known as Lunch Box Express) to its umbrella of programs.

2017

RiverWorks Thrift Store moved to the Greenfield Mall, where it is located today.

2018

Thousand Hearts 365 was launched from a one-day event to serving all year long.

2019

RiverWorks Food Shelf was selected to become a Super Shelf.

2020

Good Eats by RiverWorks Food Truck is purchased with a transportation grant.

Food Shelf transitioned to Curbside Service and didn’t miss a single service day due to COVID.

2021

Golden Neighbor Club program was added to serve hot meals out of our food truck to our older adult population. 

2022

The Food Shelf once again welcomed families inside and other programs back to running at normal and full capacity. 

10 Year Anniversary for Thousand Hearts and Thrift Store 

2023

The Thrift Store moved from our 4,000 sq ft store to a new 10,000 sq ft store.

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 213, Rockford, MN 55373
Thrift Store: Greenfield Mall | 7945 Highway 55, Rockford, MN 55373
Food Shelf: 8230 Cedar Street Rockford, MN 55373

RiverWorks Staff

Denise Kesanen

Executive Director

Colleen Johnson

Director of Retail Operations

Tammi Olstad

Food Shelf Director 

Susie Jo Long

Financial Manager

Annette Tryon

Thousand Hearts Program Manager 

Laura Smith

Assistant Manager RiverWorks Thrift Store

Tracey VanLith

Thrift Store Associate

Bethany VanLith

Thrift Store Associate

Grace Clouse

Thrift Store Associate

Board of Directors

Brian Howe

Board Chair

Daryl MacLean

Vice-Chair

Mike Dickman

Treasurer

Trent Shipley

Board Member

Robin LaFond

Board Member

Make a Donation

GIVE NOW

Donate quality goods

MORE DETAILS

DONATE GROCERIES

MORE DETAILS

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME

LEARN MORE