Columbus
Ask about Columbus
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Columbus and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Columbus
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
Columbus Utility Billing
16319 Kettle River Blvd. NE, Columbus, MN 55025
Help here
- Water and sewer billingAsk about water or sewer bills, payments, and non-emergency service.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on columbusmn.gov
Local office · City office
Columbus City Hall
16319 Kettle River Blvd. NE, Columbus, MN 55025
Help here
- City services and informationContact City Hall for help with city services, forms, and questions.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on columbusmn.gov
Older adults · City office
Columbus Community and Senior Center
16321 Kettle River Blvd., Columbus, MN 55025
Help here
- Community center spaceResidents and community groups can ask about reserving the meeting space.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on columbusmn.gov
Library · County office
Anoka County Libraries
Help here
- Library accessColumbus residents can use Anoka County Library locations with free access.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on columbusmn.gov
City of Columbus, Minnesota website
Checked on October 9, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Columbus first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Merrick Food Shelf
Merrick Community Services
18 miles from the center of Columbus1669 Arcade Street N, St. Paul, MN 55106
Hours
- Mon3 PM to 5 PM
- Tue10 AM to 12 PM
- Wed10 AM to 12 PM
- Thu10 AM to 12 PM. Drive-through
Who can come: Anyone who needs food support
What to bring: No ID or proof of address needed. Share basic household information on your first visit.
Listed on merrickcs.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Loaves & Fishes
19 miles from the center of Columbus1115 N 30th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Hours
- Mon5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Tue5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Wed5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Thu5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Fri5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on loavesandfishesmn.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Proverbs Christian Fellowship Church
Loaves & Fishes
19 miles from the center of Columbus3210 N Oliver Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Hours
- Sat1 PM to 3 PM (2nd and 4th of the month)
Listed on loavesandfishesmn.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Payne Avenue Salvation Army Lunch
The Salvation Army Twin Cities
20 miles from the center of Columbus1019 Payne Ave., St. Paul, MN 55130
Hours
- Mon11:45 AM to 12:45 PM
- Tue11:45 AM to 12:45 PM
- Wed11:45 AM to 12:45 PM
- Thu11:45 AM to 12:45 PM
- Fri11:45 AM to 12:45 PM
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on centralusa.salvationarmy.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
St. Paul, Payne Ave. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Twin Cities
20 miles from the center of Columbus1019 Payne Ave., St. Paul, MN 55130
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
First 20 walk-ins Monday, Friday starting at 8 a.m.; Youth hours: Thursday, 3 to 5 p.m.
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on centralusa.salvationarmy.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
St. Paul, Payne Ave. Salvation Army Fresh Food Distribution
The Salvation Army Twin Cities
20 miles from the center of Columbus1019 Payne Ave., St. Paul, MN 55130
Hours
- Fri2 PM to 3:30 PM (1st and 2nd and 3rd of the month). First three Fridays of the month
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on centralusa.salvationarmy.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Columbus
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Second Harvest Heartland
7101 Winnetka Avenue N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Central Minnesota Legal Services, Inc.
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Anoka County Community Action Program, Inc.
1201 89th Ave NE Ste 345, Blaine, MN 55434-3373
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Anoka County
Columbus is in Anoka County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Anoka County Economic Assistance
1201 89th Ave NE, Suite 4200, Blaine, MN 55434
Help here
- Food, cash, and housing assistanceApply for SNAP, cash assistance, emergency help, or housing support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on anokacountymn.gov
Public health · County office
Anoka County WIC Clinic, Blaine
1201 89th Ave NE, Suite 2100, Blaine, MN 55434
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children nutrition benefitsEligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children under five can get food benefits, nutrition support, and health care referrals.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on anokacountymn.gov
Child support · County office
Anoka County Child Support
1201 89th Ave NE, 4th Floor, Blaine, MN 55434
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help establishing or enforcing child support, changing an order, or establishing parentage.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on anokacountymn.gov
Housing help · County office
Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
2100 3rd Avenue, Suite 700, Anoka, MN 55303
Help here
- Affordable housing and redevelopmentFind information about housing assistance and affordable housing programs the authority provides in its service area.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on anokacountymn.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
United Way 211 Minnesota
Help here
- Community resource information and referralCall 211 for free information about local health and human services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211unitedway.org
Public health · County office
Anoka County Public Health & Environmental Services
2100 3rd Ave, Suite 600, Anoka, MN 55303
Help here
- Public health servicesGet public health nursing, health education, immunization information, and referrals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on anokacountymn.gov
Minnesota programs by kind of help
These are run by Minnesota and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- United Way 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988