Olmsted County was the first in Minnesota (and I believe the first in the nation) to respond to the Federal Government shutdown of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).  Olmsted County sparked a cascade of community contributions to Channel One food bank by funding $200,000 to the food bank.  The total need to make up for the cut off of SNAP funds is over $400,000.  Olmsted County challenged the community to add to the county’s contribution to meet the total need.  I am happy to report the community did step up to the challenge.  Contributions were received from private individuals, neighborhood drives, corporations, and local businesses.  In addition, about 350 community volunteers packed 5,000 food boxes for SNAP recipients.  Those food boxes were distributed at several locations in Olmsted on Friday, November 7.  Olmsted, as part of the $200,000, also helped purchase baby formula for the WIC (Women and Children) program for which funding was also cut by the Federal Government.

 

Homeless Numbers (October 2025)

• 317      Single Adults Identified as currently experiencing homelessness (about the same as a year ago.
• 1 in 2   have a disabling condition
• 43%     are women
• 25%     have a substance abuse disorder
• 47%     have a mental health disabling condition
• 50+%   are from the BIPOC community
• 18/74  youngest and oldest on the homeless list

Any Path Home

The community group which is focusing on reducing homelessness has hired a new director.  The progress that has been made includes creating a Homeless List which is shared by all agencies dealing with the Homeless.  This prevents duplication of services, streamlines the resources to assist the homeless, and informs social service agencies of clients so that evaluations for assistance can be provided sooner and more effectively.

 

Overnight Shelter

The Overnight Shelter is managed by Catholic Charities.  An arrangement with Salvation Army will provide shelter when the main shelter reaches capacity.  (Recently Catholic Charities had an open house and fund-raiser.  Contributions are still being accepted; you can contribute directly to Catholic Charities: https://www.ccsomn.org/donate-online/ Direct your donation to the Overnight Shelter.  Or you take your donation directly to the overnight shelter at 200 4^th Street SE, 507.226.8033.

 

Medical Examiner (Coroner) Report

Olmsted County 2024-25 numbers

• 2,225 deaths
• 1895 cases reported to Medical Examiner
• 239 Autopsies
• Decrease:  All types of death (homicide, accident, suicide, natural are down from the high in 2022.
• 171 Falls:  still the leading cause of (unnatural deaths) followed by;  38 drugs/poisoning and: 33 Motor vehicle
• Falls by Age Group
  • Age 45-64 – 12 Falls
  • 65-74 – 23
  • 75-84 – 49
  • 66) 85-94 – 66
  • 96+ – 17
  • (Many falls occur in the home and are preventable with safety measures; e.g., handrails, non-slip surfaces.)
• Accidental Drug Deaths by Age:
  • Age 11-17 – 1 Death
  • 18-25 – 2
  • 26-44 – 8
  • 45-64 – 8
  • 65-74 – 1
  • 75-95+ – 0
• 16 Illicit Drug deaths by category:
  • Cocaine – 3 Deaths
  • Cocaine and Meth – 1
  • Fentanyl – 3
  • Fentanyl and Cocaine – 2
  • Fentanyl and Meth – 3
  • Fentanyl and Multiple Other – 1
  • Meth – 3
• Death by Natural Causes:
  • Cancer – 478
  • Cardiac – 445
  • Gastrointestinal – 63
  • Genitourinary – 8
  • Kidney – 28
  • Liver – 76
  • Neurologic – 254
  • Pulmonary – 135
  • Other – 123
• Alcohol Related Deaths by Manner:
  • Natural – 37
  • non-drug related accident – 3
  • Drug related accident – 4

 

Olmsted County’s Drug Prevention and Responses

• 8,000 Client Contacts
• 800 unique clients served
• 230 drug assessments completed
• 85% of referrals were successfully contacted
• 150 post-overdose outreaches completed
• 390 total admissions to treatment