The Battle of the Badges may be over, but the ongoing fight against hunger and hardship continues throughout the entire year, as dedicated volunteers and organizations work tirelessly to support those in need within our community.

By HastingsNow Local Exchange

Police, fire, and students team up in Cottage Grove to support Basic Needs and SoWashCo CARES, with strong ties back to Hastings.

A Saturday Night B-Ball Match for Charity

To meet the surging demand for essential resources in our community, Basic Needs has expanded its offerings by adding innovative new programs. These include initiatives such as a community garden that encourages local engagement and collaboration, as well as food rescue partnerships with nearby grocery stores aimed at preventing waste and ensuring that surplus food reaches those in need.

It’s 4 p.m. on a Saturday, and the gym at Park High School in Cottage Grove thunders with cheers. In the Battle of the Badges basketball fundraiser on May 17, police officers and firefighters have traded their uniforms for jerseys, hitting the court alongside high school varsity players. Kids excited in the stands, parents snap photos, and local officials—some in sneakers, others officiating—grin from the sidelines. What started as a friendly rivalry game is now a full-fledged community spectacle, complete with raffle baskets and a halftime show. When the final buzzer sounded, the firefighter squad edged out their law-enforcement rivals to claim this year’s Battle of the Badges trophy. Bragging rights secured, both teams huddled at center court for a group photo that underlined the night’s real victory: community solidarity. And while the scoreboards track points, the real winner is a pair of local nonprofits fighting hunger and hardship: Basic Needs Inc. and SoWashCo CARES basicneedsmn.org woodburynewsnet.org.

“Battle of the Badges is more than just a game—it’s a chance for our community to come together, support a vital local nonprofit, and have a blast while doing it,” says Opey Peñaloga, executive director of Basic Needs woodburychamber.chambermaster.com, woodburynewsnet.org. Indeed, the atmosphere feels less like a competitive playoff and more like a block party. Neighbors from Hastings and Cottage Grove sit shoulder-to-shoulder in the bleachers, united by a common cause. As one firefighter sinks a three-pointer, the crowd roars; among the applauding fans are Hastings residents who made the short drive over, eager to back their public safety heroes and the charities at the heart of the event. It’s not every day you see police, fire, students, and elected officials playing on the same team – and that symbolism isn’t lost on anyone.

“We’re a group of good people in the community that cares about one another, and we want to support the most vulnerable among us.”
— Opey Peñaloga, Executive Director of Basic Needs woodburynewsnet.org

Hoop Rivalry with a Heartwarming Mission

Pictured: Cottage Grove Firefighter/EMT Chelsey Flores proudly poses at halftime alongside her dedicated teammates, Mike Dandl, who serves as a Firefighter and EMT, and Brandon Edren, an accomplished Fire Captain and Paramedic. They all display a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork during the event.

The idea for Battle of the Badges came together earlier this year as a fun twist on the classic “Guns ’n’ Hoses” police-fire matchup, with an added youth element. Cottage Grove Fire Captain Chelsey Flores, who suited up for the firefighters’ squad, said she was proud to play for a cause close to home.“My name is Chelsey Flores. I’m a fire captain and paramedic for Cottage Grove Fire Department. I’m here today to play in the Battle of the Badges. We’re here to support Basic Needs and the community, and I think it’s just a really great organization…,” she told HastingsNow during a pre-game interview. “We’re excited to see what’s to come in the future for them.” Police and firefighters traded good-natured banter throughout warm-ups, but once the ball was tipped they focused on a common goal: raising funds for families in need. Council member Monique Garza of Cottage Grove attended the event “I am here tonight with my family because my husband is actually the referee, one of the refs. And of course, I'm here to support my great fire department and our police department.” Garza was in the stands streaming highlights and added, “It's a very important community nonprofit for our community, and I love that they are always doing events that help to make awareness for our community.”

Mayor Keith Franke, who donned a referee’s stripes for the game’s opening tip-off, underscores the evening’s unity. “I'm here reffing at the basic needs charity basketball game to support everything that they do” Franke says with a smile, noting that officers, firefighters, students, and officials from several neighboring cities all took part. (Franke, a former state legislator and mayor of nearby St. Paul Park, volunteered to referee.) Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham performed the ceremonial ball toss and was thrilled by the turnout. “I'm going to be doing the ball toss at the beginning of the game,” Bigham says. “And, you know, really I'm here today to support just a wonderful organization that does so much for our community to make sure that people have essential services, food, clothing, and they have a lot of different options for folks, whether it is their store or the food pantry and they take donations."

On the court, teams mixed public safety pros with high school athletes. Firefighters from Cottage Grove, Newport, and the nearby Marathon oil refinery station joined forces with Washington County sheriff’s deputies and police from Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park woodburynewsnet.org, woodburychamber.chambermaster.com. Park High’s varsity players rounded out the rosters, lending speed and youthful energy (and perhaps a few pointers on three-point technique). The result was a fast-paced, often hilarious exhibition.

“The work that the two organizations, south Washington County Cares and basic needs do a lot for our community. And we're just hosting this game between the police and fire department and some of the high school kids, and it's gonna be a good time and we're just gonna enjoy ourselves and raise some money for a good cause.” – Mayor Keith Franke

When the buzzer signaled halftime, organizers kept the energy high by inviting fans out of the bleachers for a shooting contest. Brave volunteers took turns from the three-point arc and the half-court stripe for a shot at a Chick-fil-A gift card. The lighthearted challenge raised a few extra dollars for Basic Needs while giving spectators their own moment in the spotlight.

Despite the lighthearted competition, the cause at stake stayed front and center. Emblazoned on banners around the gym were the logos of Basic Needs and SoWashCo CARES, and emcees reminded the crowd of why they were all there: to fight hunger, poverty, and hardship in the local community Many families came prepared to donate above the ticket price.

Receiving a Chick-fil-A gift card during halftime of the game is an exciting surprise that adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the already thrilling atmosphere. Fans can look forward to indulging in their favorite chicken sandwiches, fries, and milkshakes after the event, making the experience even more memorable.

Basic Needs Inc.: From Thrift Store to Lifeline

The fundraiser’s primary beneficiary, Basic Needs Inc. of South Washington County, has deep roots in the area. Founded in 1996 in Cottage Grove, Basic Needs began as a humble thrift store – originally called “Stone Soup,” after the fable of a community creating something from nothing hastingsnow.com. Locals donated gently-used clothes and household items, which were resold at affordable prices to fund programs for neighbors in crisis hastingsnow.com. Over time, the nonprofit formally became Basic Needs Inc. and expanded its mission to tackle housing, food, clothing, and other basic necessities for those experiencing hardship basicneedsmn.org, hastingsnow.com.

Today, Basic Needs operates a multi-pronged approach to meet community needs. Its original thrift shop is still going strong at 6990 80th Street S. in Cottage Grove, offering budget-friendly shopping six days a week (10:30am–5:30pm weekdays, 10:30am–4pm Saturday, 12–4pm Sunday) basicneedsmn.org. The thrift store’s proceeds fund an emergency voucher program that provides free essentials like clothing, hygiene products, and furniture to people in crisis basicneedsmn.org. In 2023, responding to rising food insecurity, Basic Needs launched a free “Food Market” – a dignified, small-grocery experience where clients can “shop” for fresh produce, meat, dairy, and pantry staples at no cost basicneedsmn.org, basicneedsmn.org. Located at 8475 East Point Douglas Rd. in Cottage Grove, the Food Market is open Monday–Friday (10:30am–3pm most days, open late to 5:30pm on Wednesdays) basicneedsmn.org, ensuring families – including many from the Hastings area – have access to nutritious groceries when budgets are tight. (Basic Needs even stocks a community fridge at the Park Grove Library with perishable foods on Wednesdays and Saturdays to reach more residents basicneedsmn.org.)

Basic Needs’ impact has grown dramatically in recent years. “Community needs are increasing,” Opey Peñaloga notes, pointing out that Basic Needs served over 84,000 people in 2023 – and the number nearly doubled to 162,000 in 2024 woodburynewsnet.org, woodburynewsnet.org. These figures include individuals and families from across southern Washington County (which covers Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport, and Grey Cloud Island) and even folks from Hastings and beyond. Most clients are families with children or seniors on fixed incomes woodburynewsnet.org. To meet surging demand, Basic Needs has added programs like a community garden and food rescue partnerships with local groceries to prevent waste woodburynewsnet.org. “Food is a basic right and need for all,” former director Vickie Snyder said at the Food Market’s grand opening, emphasizing that dignity and choice are core to their approach hastingsnow.com. That philosophy earned Basic Needs recognition as 2024 Non-Profit of the Year by the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce basicneedsmn.org – an honor Peñaloga says belongs to the whole community.

“Battle of the Badges falls on the final day of National Police Week, which makes it even more special. It’s a celebration of partnership – police, fire, students, officials, all of us – coming together to lift up those in need.”
— Opey Peñaloga, thanking participants at the event cottagegrovejournal.news

(National Police Week, held each May, honors law enforcement service and sacrifice. This fundraiser fittingly turned that week’s spirit of community engagement into action – channeling public-safety pride into public service.)

SoWashCo CARES: Neighbors Helping Neighbors in School Communities

The evening’s other beneficiary, SoWashCo CARES, is a newer player on the scene but just as pivotal. Short for South Washington County Community Action Reaching Every Student, SoWashCo CARES was founded in 2018 by local parent and volunteer Cheryl Jogger as a grassroots answer to student and family needs. “SoWashCo CARES is a community-led effort to assist kids with food, school supplies, whatever they need,” Jogger explained in a presentation to county officials washingtoncountymn.gov. The idea sprang from a successful Feed My Starving Children food-packing event that inspired Jogger and others to keep the momentum going year-round washingtoncountymn.gov. What started as a simple Facebook group quickly blossomed into a 501(c)(3) educational foundation bridging the gap between South Washington County Schools and the broader community sowashcocares.org, sowashcocares.org.

SoWashCo CARES has no storefront or office hours – instead, it acts as a central connector between school social workers, families in need, and generous community members. When a teacher or counselor identifies a student lacking winter boots, or a family struggling to afford groceries, they alert SoWashCo CARES. The group then posts specific needs on its Facebook page or website – and within minutes, volunteers in the community step up to donate that item or funds to cover it sowashcocares.org, washingtoncountymn.gov. “Since we started the Facebook page, there is no need we have not been able to meet with the help of our community,” Jogger has noted sowashcocares.org. In a relatively affluent area, many families can still be just one job loss or health crisis away from hardship sowashcocares.org. SoWashCo CARES ensures that any student or family in South Washington County (which includes Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, Woodbury, Afton, and surrounding townships) can access help quickly and quietly – with as few barriers as possible sowashcocares.org, sowashcocares.org. Importantly, its programs are open to all in need, without strict qualifications, to catch those who might fall through the cracks of government aid washingtoncountymn.gov.

Over the past few years, SoWashCo CARES has rallied community support for everything from backpacks and school supplies to beds and holiday meals. The foundation runs several key initiatives: a “Student Needs” program that crowdsources donations for individual requests; an “Access to Opportunities” fund that helps cover fees for extracurricular activities so all students can participate; staff appreciation efforts for teachers; and community-building events that foster volunteerism (even young kids get involved through lemonade stands and collections) sowashcocares.org, sowashcocares.org. SoWashCo CARES has garnered local accolades for its innovative, rapid-response model. While it did not receive a formal award in 2024 like Basic Needs did, the impact is reward enough: school leaders credit SoWashCo CARES with helping reduce economic barriers in the classroom, and families often express tearful gratitude for the unexpected kindness. As Jogger puts it, “We have an amazingly generous community… Many families only need help for a short time until they get back on their feet. We aim to remove as many barriers as possible and show them they’re part of a community that cares.” sowashcocares.org, sowashcocares.org

It’s fitting, then, that SoWashCo CARES was a co-sponsor of Battle of the Badges – the event itself was a perfect example of the public-safety community building the group loves to promote. Indeed, SoWashCo CARES excels at breaking silos: it’s essentially an all-volunteer network linking government (schools, county services) with everyday citizens on social media to solve problems in real time sowashcocares.org, sowashcocares.org. Battle of the Badges gave them a new platform to spread their mantra of “our community helping our community” sowashcocares.org – with some help from a little healthy competition on the hardwood.

Hunger & Poverty by the Numbers in Washington and Dakota Counties

Council member Monique Garza, who represents the community of Cottage Grove, had a great time attending a lively and engaging family event known as the Battle of the Badge, which brought together local residents for an enjoyable evening of friendly competition.

While the atmosphere in the gym was upbeat, both organizations wanted to drive home a serious point: hunger and poverty are affecting our local area, including communities like Hastings and Cottage Grove. Washington and Dakota Counties may rank among Minnesota’s more affluent counties, but pockets of need persist – and have grown in recent years. Consider these statistics:

Rising food insecurity: In 2022, Minnesota’s food shelves saw a record 5.5 million visits, nearly 2 million more than the prior year hungersolutions.org. Washington County – one of the suburban counties east of the Twin Cities – experienced one of the sharpest spikes in food shelf usage from 2021 to 2022 hungersolutions.org. And next door in Dakota County, the number of visits to food shelves nearly doubled (up 99%) in one year co.dakota.mn.us. The largest increase was among seniors, up 145% as many older adults on fixed incomes turned to food pantries for the first time co.dakota.mn.us. “When the COVID-19 emergency order was lifted in 2023 and extra SNAP benefits ended, food shelf usage jumped,” notes a recent Washington County report co.dakota.mn.us. Local charities like Basic Needs felt these trends directly – hence the urgency behind events like this fundraiser.
Poverty in a prosperous area: Washington County has one of the lowest official poverty rates in Minnesota at about 4.7% of residents (roughly 12,000 people) living below the federal poverty line mncompass.org. Dakota County’s poverty rate is slightly higher, around 6% co.dakota.mn.us, but still below the state average. Yet those percentages don’t tell the whole story. Many households living just above the poverty threshold struggle with basic expenses. For instance, an estimated 18,000 Dakota County residents (4% of the population) were considered food-insecure in 2021, even before inflation drove costs up co.dakota.mn.us. And in the South Washington County Schools, roughly 1 in 4 students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch programs – including about 33% of students at Hastings Middle School – indicating significant economic strain in many families’ lives hastingsnow.com, hastingsnow.com. “One in five kids in our area relies on free or reduced meals at school,” Cheryl Jogger of SoWashCo CARES points out washingtoncountymn.gov, “so if we can help ensure they have food outside of school, that’s a huge priority.”
Impact on Hastings and Cottage Grove: Hunger and poverty don’t stop at city borders. Hastings Family Service, the food shelf in Hastings, serves hundreds of families each month from Dakota County, while Basic Needs and SoWashCo CARES serve those in Washington County – and many local families straddle both counties. Hastings itself has an estimated 5.6% of residents (about 1,200 people) living in poverty hastingsnow.com. And according to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one-quarter of Hastings households earn under $50,000 per year, even as costs for housing, fuel, and food have risen. These neighbors are exactly who Basic Needs’ Food Market and SoWashCo CARES’ programs aim to help. “The need is there, even if you don’t see it at first glance,” Peñaloga says. “But the good news is, the help is there too – in the form of this incredibly caring community.”

The fundraiser leveraged National Police Week’s focus on community connections. Instead of merely observing from afar, local law enforcement and firefighters actively demonstrated their commitment to the people they serve – by literally sweating and hustling to raise money for hunger relief. The timing was no accident: National Police Week (May 12–18, 2025) provided the perfect backdrop, notes Commissioner Bigham. “I just encourage the communities, in South Washington County to support them, but also use their services if you need them.” Local officials hope Battle of the Badges becomes an annual Police Week tradition in Cottage Grove.

Hastings–Cottage Grove: Linked by Commuters and Community

At first glance, Hastings and Cottage Grove are in different counties and separated by the Mississippi River. But the turnout at Battle of the Badges proved how interconnected they really are. In fact, data from the Census Bureau’s OnTheMap tool shows a substantial daily exchange of residents between the two cities. Cottage Grove is home to many who work in Hastings (for example, at industries like the Flint Hills refinery or Regina Hospital), and likewise, plenty of Hastings residents commute to jobs in Cottage Grove (such as the 3M-Cottage Grove plant or South Washington schools). Overall, nearly 20,000 people flow in and out of Cottage Grove for work each day – about 9,800 local residents leave the city for jobs elsewhere, while over 10,700 workers from outside (including Dakota County) commute into Cottage Grove’s employers eastmetromsp.org, eastmetromsp.org. Hastings, as a regional hub in eastern Dakota County, sends and receives its share of those commuters. This blending of the workforce knits the communities together.

Commuter Connection: Hastings and Cottage Grove exchange hundreds of workers daily. Nearly 10,000 Cottage Grove residents work outside the city (many in Dakota County), while about 10,700 people from other areas commute into Cottage Grove for work eastmetromsp.org. These numbers underscore how Hastings and its Washington County neighbors form one local economy and community.

As the buzzer sounded on Saturday, the “Badges” and students all mingled as the same team. There were plenty of sore muscles and playful jabs about “who carried whom” on the court, but also genuine camaraderie and pride. In that moment, what mattered was the shared commitment to community.

How to Get Involved

Mayor Keith Franke attended Saturday afternoon’s exciting match up as a referee, playing an important role in ensuring that the Battle of the Badges was not only a fair contest for the ages, but also an entertaining event for all those in attendance. His presence added an extra layer of community spirit to the occasion, making it a memorable experience for participants and spectators alike.

The Battle of the Badges may be over, but the fight against hunger and hardship continues year-round. Here are some actionable ways Hastings area residents can pitch in and keep the spirit of the event alive:

Donate to Basic Needs Inc.: Your financial contributions go directly toward stocking the Basic Needs Food Market and supporting its voucher program. Donate securely via Basic Needs’ official page (or mail a check to Basic Needs at 445 Broadway Ave., St. Paul Park, MN 55071). You can also drop off food or thrift donations at the Basic Needs Thrift Shop during business hours basicneedsmn.org.
Support SoWashCo CARES: This all-volunteer group welcomes monetary donations (used to fulfill urgent needs for students and families). Give online at the SoWashCo CARES Donate Now page sowashcocares.org or send a check to P.O. Box 251161, Woodbury, MN 55125. Even small amounts help – $20 can provide a week’s worth of school snacks for a child. You can also contribute items via their Amazon Wish List or meet specific needs posted on their Facebook page washingtoncountymn.gov, sowashcocares.org.
Volunteer Your Time: Both organizations rely on volunteers. Basic Needs Inc. offers volunteer opportunities at its Food Market (helping shoppers, stocking shelves) and thrift store (sorting donations, customer service) – sign up on their website’s volunteer form basicneedsmn.org, basicneedsmn.org or call 651-458-9786. SoWashCo CARES often needs helping hands for events (like school supply drives or winter coat distributions). You can sign up to volunteer or to be on their call list for projects sowashcocares.org, or simply email info@sowashcocares.org to express interest.
Host Your Own “Badges” Event: Inspired by the Police vs. Fire showdown? Consider organizing a small charity game or community fundraiser in Hastings. Whether it’s a charity softball game between city departments, a neighborhood food drive competition, or a school fundraiser, these fun activities raise awareness and resources. Basic Needs and SoWashCo CARES are happy to partner or provide guidance – reach out to them for ideas (contact Basic Needs’ Executive Director at execdir@basicneedsmn.org basicneedsmn.org or SoWashCo CARES via sowashcocares@gmail.com sowashcocares.org).
Spread the Word: Finally, one of the simplest ways to help is to raise awareness. Follow Basic Needs Inc. on Facebook and SoWashCo CARES on Facebook or Instagram to share their posts. Talk to friends and neighbors about local food insecurity – many are surprised to learn the stats in our area. Encouraging just one more person to volunteer or donate extends the ripple effect of Battle of the Badges far beyond the final buzzer.

Firefighters may have won the game, but everyone who donated, cheered, or volunteered walked away a champion for Basic Needs and SoWashCo CARES. The echoes of bouncing basketballs have faded, but the community momentum carries on. Cottage Grove and H-town proved this weekend that when public servants and citizens unite for a cause, everyone wins. As we look forward to future collaborations – and maybe a rematch on Hastings’ home turf – let’s remember the spirit of this special night. In the game of fighting hunger and meeting basic needs, we’re all on the same team.

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Sources

Basic Needs Inc. – “Battle of the Badges!” event listing, Basic Needs Events Calendar. BasicNeedsMN.org, Apr. 2025, basicneedsmn.orgbasicneedsmn.org. (Event details and thrift shop location/hours)
Basic Needs Inc. – “Our Story.” BasicNeedsMN.org, 2024, basicneedsmn.orgbasicneedsmn.org. (Mission statement and history; founded 1996; 2024 Non-Profit of the Year award)
Basic Needs Inc. – “Basic Needs Food Market.” BasicNeedsMN.org, 2023, basicneedsmn.orgbasicneedsmn.org. (Description of the free Food Market, address and hours)
Frandle, Bethany. “Cheer For Charity At Battle Of The Badges May 17.” Woodbury News Net, 12 May 2025, woodburynewsnet.orgwoodburynewsnet.org. (Interview with Opey Peñaloga; quotes on increasing need and community support; participant list)
Hastings Now – “Feeding Hope with Dignity: The Story of Basic Needs Food Market.” HastingsNow.com, 14 May 2025, hastingsnow.comhastingsnow.com. (Local hunger and poverty data; 5.6% of Hastings in poverty; 99% increase in Dakota food shelf visits)
Hunger Solutions Minnesota – “2022 Food Shelf visits hit record high – up almost 2 million visits over previous year.” hungersolutions.org, Feb. 2023, hungersolutions.orghungersolutions.org. (Statewide food shelf statistics; Washington County among areas with greatest increase in 2022)
Ripplinger, Carol (Dir. Dakota Co. Public Health). Dakota County Community Health Assessment 2023, published Mar. 26, 2024, Dakota Co. Government, co.dakota.mn.usco.dakota.mn.us. (County data: 99% rise in food shelf visits 2021–2022; 145% rise among seniors; Dakota poverty ~6%)
Minnesota Compass (Wilder Research). “Washington County: Poverty Status (2018–2022).” MNCompass.org, 2023, mncompass.org. (Washington Co. poverty rate ~4.7%; total residents vs. below-poverty figures)
Washington County CRP Meeting Minutes (Nov. 2018). “SoWashCo CARES… came about after the Feed My Starving Children event in Washington County.” WashingtonCountyMN.gov, Mar. 2019, washingtoncountymn.govwashingtoncountymn.gov. (Origins and description of SoWashCo CARES as community-led effort starting in 2018)
East Metro Strong / Washington County CDA. “Cottage Grove Profile – Resident and Non-Resident Commuters.” EastMetroMSP.org, 2024, eastmetromsp.orgeastmetromsp.org. (Commuting data: ~9,815 Cottage Grove residents commute out, ~10,700 non-residents commute in for work, illustrating inter-city workforce flows)

Battle of the Badges: Police, Fire & Students Score Big for Basic Needs