St. Raphael in Crystal hosts Free Food, Friendship and Faith picnics

St. Raphael in Crystal hosts Free Food, Friendship and Faith picnics to provide meals and community connection for neighbors and parishioners. Organized by the parish street evangelization team, Reaching for Faith, the events take place on the lawn in front of the church on Thursday evenings during June and July.

The picnics have been held for eight years and draw an average of 65 participants per event. According to parish records, attendees can access resources for housing assistance, mental health support, and food security during the gatherings.

Matthew Fitzsimmons, who manages the parish's Tobit House of hospitality, noted that the meals address both hunger and social isolation. Pastor Nick Hagen said the picnics are open to anyone passing by on Bass Lake Road. These efforts follow a study by Second Harvest Heartland and Wilder Research showing that one in five Minnesota households experienced food insecurity in 2025.