the open door

In 2005, Mount Calvary began what is now known as The Open Door as the Eagan Resource Center in the church parsonage as a food shelf and referral resource center. What started as a service to 38 families has quickly become over 450 families and the largest food shelf in Dakota County. In 2009, the Eagan Resource Center became its own legal, non-profit entity. While still located in the parsonage, the ERC partnered with volunteers, faith communities, schools, organizations and businesses to support those in need and to eliminate hunger in Dakota County. In 2011, the resource center expanded to serve the Lakeville community and was renamed the Eagan Lakeville Resource Centers. In March of 2014, the Eagan Resource Center was renamed to The Open Door and continues to provide valuable services to the surrounding communities. For more information, visit The Open Door website or call 651-688-3189.

Dakota County Temporary Shelter

Matrix Housing Services is operating a temporary winter shelter for 50 adults in Dakota County from November 1, 2018 through mid-April, 2019. The shelter opens nightly at 6:00 p.m. and closes at 8:00 a.m. Dinner and breakfast will be served daily. The shelter will move around to churches throughout Dakota County If you are interested in serving dinner, making donations, helping to move the shelter between sites, or be volunteering as a Shelter Aid, visit the volunteer page. If you would like to donate supplies or food to the shelter, click here to sign-up to donate particular items and here to sign up to donate food. If you or someone you know is in need of shelter in Dakota County, please call 651-319-2153. See Matrix's website for more information. 

Days for Girls

Days for Girls empowers girls and women worldwide with more dignity, health and safety through access to quality sustainable menstrual health management and education. Days for Girls South of the River MN Team is a chapter of Days for Girls International, which works toward the goal of every woman in the world having access to feminine hygiene. Mount Calvary hosts sewing days where kits are prepared for distribution. Click here for more information.


local missions

Mount Calvary supports a number of local missons and charitable organizations. If you would like more information on how you can participate and contribute, please contact Pastor Tom Jenkins at pastor.tom@mtcalvary.com.


Rahn Elementary School - We hold a school supply drive each August.


Global Health Ministries Container Packing - We pack containers several times per year.


Giving Tree - We set up a tree in November with tags of items needed for the young adults living at the Lincoln Place & items for the Holiday Gift Shop held at Easter Lutheran benefitting clients of the Open Door. 


Red Cross Blood Drives - We hold blood drives twice a year on site.


Hospice Kits - We collect required items and assemble kits on a on-going basis.


Newborn Kits - We collect items and package them on an on-going basis.

african ministries

CAMEROON

We support the work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon by making quilts, receiving blankets, hospital sheets and bandages, and collecting clothing and other medical and health supplies for both Cameroon and Tanzania. Working with Global Health Ministries, Mount Calvary members help pack sea containers for Cameroon, Tanzania and Lutheran mission efforts in developing countries.


TANZANIA

In 2004 Mount Calvary became a companion Congregation to Ipalamwa, a rural village church in the hill country of Tanzania. Members from our congregation have made several trips to Ipalamwa and hope to continue doing so in the future to strengthen our relationship. We currently sponsor scholarships to enable children to attend school in their home country. We have also sponsored Iringa Hope, a US, non-profit corporation dedicated to raising the standard of living in rural Tanzania through small loans to farmers and shopkeepers. Rural Tanzania is one of the poorest regions in the world.