About Friends in Need Food Shelf
In our ongoing efforts to fight food insecurity, Friends in Need (FIN) supports the needs of families and individuals in South Washington County and surrounding communities. With a vision of improving lives by ending hunger, we have been fulfilling our mission of providing food and resources to those in need for over 32 years. This year we will distribute over one million pounds of needed goods, touching the lives of over 250 households each week. Doing this with a 99% volunteer staff, FIN relies on local businesses and citizens for support. All donations go to providing a well-rounded selection of nutritious food and personal hygiene items to the people we serve.
Newport Scoreboard
Are you thrashing the competition (for a good cause)? Find out here! Stats are updated every 15 minutes. See how you stack up on the national scoreboard >
# | Team Name | Captain | Members | Raised | |
|---|
1 | Snow Misers | Kurt Mazur | 4 | 4,515.00 | |
2 | The World Wanderers! | Maureen McGovern | 3 | 2,010.00 | |
3 | FIN | Crystal Schneider | 3 | 1,976.60 | |
4 | Chill Crew | Emelia Westerberg | 9 | 1,450.00 | |
5 | Polar Platform Express | Jennifer VanRanst | 8 | 1,250.00 | |
6 | Rescue Crew | Marge Meconis | 7 | 1,225.00 | |
7 | Snow Makers | Joe Schneider | 6 | 1,105.00 | |
8 | 3M Aerospace and Defense | Eric Forbes | 3 | 1,050.00 | |
9 | We Are All Connected | Madi Cseter | 6 | 290.00 | |
10 | Bigham | Karla Bigham | 3 | 125.00 | |
11 | Street Walkers | Leeann Oney | 1 | 50.00 | |
# | Name | Team Name | Donors | Raised | |
|---|
1 | Kurt Mazur | Snow Misers | 24 | 2,830.00 | |
2 | Jennifer Coauette | The World Wanderers! | 6 | 1,010.00 | |
3 | Maureen McGovern | The World Wanderers! | 15 | 1,000.00 | |
4 | Eric Forbes | 3M Aerospace and Defense | 1 | 750.00 | |
5 | Jennifer VanRanst | Polar Platform Express | 6 | 550.00 | |
6 | Tammy Mazur | Snow Misers | 3 | 500.00 | |
7 | Morida Tinucci | Chill Crew | 1 | 500.00 | |
8 | Joe Schneider | Snow Makers | 4 | 455.00 | |
9 | Marge Meconis | Rescue Crew | 4 | 300.00 | |
10 | Dina Blummer | Chill Crew | 2 | 275.00 | |
11 | John Schwalbach | Snow Makers | 1 | 250.00 | |
12 | Cindy Bogaard | Rescue Crew | 1 | 250.00 | |
13 | Stella Cseter | We Are All Connected | 5 | 245.00 | |
14 | michael wolesky | Rescue Crew | 1 | 200.00 | |
15 | Crystal Balsimo Wrobel | FIN | 3 | 200.00 | |
16 | Amy McLaughlin | Polar Platform Express | 1 | 200.00 | |
17 | Kara Spolidoro | | 2 | 150.00 | |
18 | Kara Norquist | 3M Aerospace and Defense | 1 | 150.00 | |
19 | Pam Syverson | Rescue Crew | 1 | 150.00 | |
20 | Scott Norquist | 3M Aerospace and Defense | 1 | 150.00 | |
21 | Crystal Schneider | FIN | 2 | 125.00 | |
22 | Kris VanRanst | Polar Platform Express | 1 | 100.00 | |
23 | Justin Olsen | Bigham | 1 | 100.00 | |
24 | Greta Foote | Polar Platform Express | 1 | 100.00 | |
25 | Kathleen Kuchar | Rescue Crew | 1 | 100.00 | |
26 | Nate Foote | Polar Platform Express | 1 | 100.00 | |
27 | Clay Mazur | Snow Misers | 2 | 75.00 | |
28 | Gary Sabrowsky | Snow Makers | 1 | 50.00 | |
29 | Leeann Oney | Street Walkers | 1 | 50.00 | |
30 | Jim Henry | Snow Misers | 1 | 50.00 | |
31 | Terry Blummer | Chill Crew | 1 | 25.00 | |
32 | Monique Garza | Bigham | 1 | 25.00 | |
33 | Emelia Westerberg | Chill Crew | 1 | 25.00 | |
34 | Erik Helmer | FIN | 1 | 25.00 | |
35 | Kayla Williams | We Are All Connected | 1 | 25.00 | |
36 | Brenda Eisinger | We Are All Connected | 1 | 20.00 | |
37 | Debra Hickman | | 1 | 10.00 | |
38 | Roger Larson | Chill Crew | | | |
39 | Stacey Schimke | The World Wanderers! | | | |
40 | Elizabeth Larson | Chill Crew | | | |
41 | Matt Mikus | Chill Crew | | | |
42 | Clara Kilgas | We Are All Connected | | | |
43 | Soren Larson | Chill Crew | | | |
44 | Kathy Kuchar | Rescue Crew | | | |
45 | Jeremy Unruh | Snow Makers | | | |
46 | Madi Cseter | We Are All Connected | | | |
47 | Kim McRunnel | We Are All Connected | | | |
48 | Karla Bigham | Bigham | | | |
Event Day Details
Save the date - CNOY Day is February 28, 2026!
900 15th St, Newport, MN 55055
Schedule
- 4:45 pm: Muster Gather for Opening Remarks
- 6:00 pm: Munch Light meal served
- 7:00 pm: Mosey Goodbye + see you in 2027!
Not able to join us in person at the Main Event? We hope you'll register, fundraise and walk offsite with friends and family.
Route Details
- Route Distances: Check out the maps below to see where we will be walking.
- Rest stop: Keep an eye out for opportunities to rest and refresh with yummy snacks along the route.
- Signage: Routes will be well-signed with our bold blue CNOY signs.
- Route Support: Route marshals, rest stop hosts, and support vehicle drivers provide support along the route.
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
- No Pets: We love our little furballs like you do, but pets are not permitted at the Coldest Night of the Year except for approved and trained service animals. Read more about our pet policy >
Check- in
- All walkers participating at the Main Event on Saturday, February 28, 2026 must check-in upon arrival.
- Beanies! Fundraising walkers who raise $150+ (or $75+ for those under 18) will receive a CNOY Beanie as a thank you on event day, while supplies last.
- Offsite fundraising walkers can contact their local event director to arrange toque pickup the week of the event.
Have questions? Visit the FAQ section!
Handling Money
- Credit Card: The Best Option! Simple, secure, automatically tax receipted for gifts of $20+. Visit the Donate page, share your personal page link, or have your donor call the CNOY Head Office.
- Checks: The Old Faithful - made out to Coldest Night of the Year with your name on the Memo line. Mail them to CNOY Head Office along with your completed pledge form.
- Cash: You have 2 options:
- 1. Login to FundHub, click “Enter $$ and Checks,” create pledges for your cash donations, pay them off with your personal credit card, and keep the cash. OR...
- 2. Write a check (made out to “Coldest Night of the Year”) for the total amount of cash you’ve collected. Mail it to the CNOY Head Office with your completed pledge sheet.
Waivers
All participants must register online and accept the electronic waiver.
- Adults accept the waiver automatically when they register online.
- Youth/Children under the age of majority need a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.
- An online form will be emailed to all parents/guardians before CNOY Day.
- Waivers will also be available at check-in on CNOY Day.
What to Bring
A few common sense suggestions:
- A cell phone for emergencies (recommended but not required)
- Good waterproof shoes/boots for walking
- Warm coat and mitts/gloves
- Extra snacks if you have allergies or food sensitivities
- A passion for the charity you're walking and fundraising for!
Show More
Newport Maps
Check out this year's CNOY route maps below: