Owatonna Family Thrift to provide safety net for community

Desiree LeTourneau and her family know first-hand what it's like to fall on hard times.

“Times were hard for my family back in, I think it was 2010. My daughter was very young, and the job market was pretty challenging. Mike, my husband, went to the Salvation Army to get help with the electric bill,” said LeTourneau, who is co-owner and Board Chair of Owatonna Family Thrift with her husband, Mike. “They helped us to avoid getting disconnected.”

Now in their first year of operating the thrift store, the couple has had conversations about how to best pay it forward.

“When Mike and I started discussing ideas for how Owatonna Family Thrift could help the community, we kept coming back to providing the same assistance that meant so much to us all those years ago,” LeTourneau said.

It's exactly what the couple is doing by debuting an energy assistance program for the community.

According to a press release, “During the initial startup period, the nonprofit organization observed an alarming increase in customer inquiries, specifically through phone calls and contact submissions, requesting energy assistance. This trend highlighted a significant need within the community. To address this, the nonprofit aims to provide an additional resource designed to assist with utility payments.”

The initiative is designed to provide crucial monetary assistance to eligible residents of Steele County in the form of a voucher, the release stated.

The one-time vouchers for up to $250 “would be made payable directly to the service vendor like Owatonna Public Utilities, ensuring that funds are utilized specifically for utility payments.”

“As a core part of our mission, we aim to help lower-income families provide useful and

necessary items to improve self-sufficiency. This means ensuring access to essential services like utility bills, especially during the cold weather season,” Mike LeTourneau, co-owner and board treasurer said.  “We understand that some families or individuals may experience hardship or unforeseen circumstances that make it difficult to afford these needed utilities.”

Steele County residents may apply in the store starting Nov. 1 and through the end of March 2026 as funds are available, the release stated. Along with ID verification and proof of residency, applicants must provide a disconnect notice from a verified service vendor located in Steele County.

Community members have the opportunity to help out at Owatonna Family Thrift as well. Volunteers get a $10 gift card for their first eight hours of service.

The business is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Donations are accepted Saturdays and Sundays during regular hours.