Capital fund drive nears goal of $2.4 million

Community Pathways of Steele County will soon take on a brand-new look at its existing location of 155 Oakdale St. in Owatonna.
With the help of a capital fund drive seeking $2.4 million in support, Community Pathways of Steele County will double in size.
The Marketplace (food shelf) will be on the south side and the Unique Finds (thrift store) will be on the north side.
Portable walls will soon be arriving at the site of a new addition.  The Steele County Community Pathways building will swell from a current size of 6000 square feet to 12,000 square feet.
 
General contractor
Mohs Construction of Owatonna holds the general contract on the project.
The addition will allow Community Pathways to have more space and this is invaluable in accepting donations from the public and from the business community.
Nancy Ness and Maureen Schlobohm were co-executive directors and were responsible for initiating the capital campaign for Community Pathways of Steele County, Inc.
As of March 1, the project was short $200.000 of reaching its goal of $2.4 million. Theme of the capital campaign is Building New Pathways.
 
New director
Ness and Schlobohm retired in December and "turned over the keys to me," said  new executive director Dom (Dominic) Korbel. He had served on the food shelf board prior to being hired as executive director.
Construction shifted into gear in mid-December, the same time that Korbel assumed his new duties. He said that it was time for him to move into the non-profit circle after being experienced in operations for many years.
Korbel carries a burning torch to help others less fortunate. He said Community Pathways provides family stability to take worry of food and clothing away.
His desire to help others grew while watching his late father David become extremely involved in community activities. He served 35 years on the Faribault School Board. He also was active in the Eagles, Elks, VFW and American Legion,in addition, servings a youth coach.
 
Follows Dad's path
Korbel has followed in his father's footsteps, active in the Owatonna United Way by serving on the board, served on Let's Smile Board, division of Community Pathways, was active in the Owatonna Basketball Association and taught confirmation at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Korbel, with a sparkle in his eyes, said his dad was such a great example of what it meant to give back to your community.
"All I wanted to do was to grow up and be my dad," remarked Dom, holding back his emotions. "This job allows me to do that," he says.
"Nancy and Maureen did the hard work and set me up to  succeed," Korbel said.
Korbel is a 1989 graduate of Faribault High School and earned his Bachelors Degree from North Dakota State University. He majored in education. He picked up his Masters degree in communications from Minnesota State University at Mankato.
Korbel's first jobs were in operations. He worked at Truth, Inc. in Owatonna. He then had stints in operations at an Eagan roofing and window contractor. He then spent three years with Terra-Therm in New Richland.
Prior to accepting the leadership position at the Community Pathways, Korbel served two years at the Fernbrook Family Center.
Relying on history books, Korbel said the Steele County Clothesline was originally started by the Women's Club of Owatonna in 1963 to serve the children of the State School.
The Steele County Food Shelf found its roots in 1970 when several churches in Steele County acted to start food closets to serve the needs of their members.
As the needs grew in the county, both organizations moved to the current location in 1999.
 
Merger completed
On Jan. 1, 2020, these two organizations joined forces and merged to form one new organization called Community Pathways of Steele County.
The merger allowed Community Pathways to restructure staff, putting individual skill sets to better use.
Along with the organizations' restructuring and name change, the program names have also changed. The food program is now known as The Marketplace, the food delivery (previously known as Meals in Motion) is now called Marketplace Delivery.
"This community has been amazing in raising funds for Community Pathways" said Korbel.
 
Major donors
Some of the major donations included $500,000 from the late Marty Fetters, wife of Jeff Fetters, currently chairman of the Federated board of directors. "This drive doesn't happen without her," believes Korbel.
Other major donations came from the Bremer Foundation, $200,000; Owatonna Foundation, $250,000 and Trinity Lutheran Church of Owatonna, $100,000.
The enlarged Community Pathways building will provide more space to stage products and to partner with other organizations, Korbel said.
Many businesses and professional organizations are in partnership with Community Pathways. Two key partners include Let's Smile and Transitional Housing.
Let's Smile is a 501C3 organization based in Steele County to provide, educate and empower families about eliminating oral diseases in children through the power of preventive dental care.
Transitional Housing is an interfaith nonprofit organization that responds to people with housing needs in Steele County.
Both Let's Smile and Transitional Housing will have office space in the newly remodeled Community Pathways building.
 
Building advantages
Main advantages of a larger building will provide 1) more space; 2) a loading dock; 3) present location will be maintained and 4) Community Pathways will be a pillar of the community to support the basic needs of their members.
Korbel smiles widely when telling the stories of many local businesses who have partnered with Community Pathways.
Recently, Costco Distribution offered a donation of two pallets of almond milk. Because of lack of space, Korbel could only accept one pallet. Costco also donated four pallets (330 cases) of flavored water.
St.Joesph's Catholic Church partnered with Community Pathways in accepting 50 cases for their weekly community meal. The water supply will last four months, said Korbel. Water was also donated to the Owatonna community supper.
Rachel's Light, a shelter for homeless women, and Hospitality House for men are partners of Community Pathways.
Donations of items have come from Target, Wal-Mart, Revol Greens (pre-packaged salads), Hy-Vee (bread), Bushel Boy tomatoes, Fareway (potatoes) and Cashwise (bread). Lowe's has also donated items for Unique Finds (thrift store)
Korbel said some communities are under served by Community Pathways. He used Blooming Prairie as an example, saying that more food could be distributed there.
 
Mobile Food Shelf
A Community Pathways Marketplace truck will come to Blooming Prairie on Thursday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon to distribute food. Donations can be accepted at this time, too. It will be parked on the First Lutheran Church parking lot, west side. "This will be a test run for us," said Korbel.
A Community Pathways truck goes out in the community once a month or as needed. The communities include Blooming Prairie, Owatonna, Medford and Ellendale. Troy Bice is the driver.
March is Minnesota Food Share Month. It is a time for local food shelves to vie for state funds.
Community Pathways will host a Hometown Sampler event March 4-6 at the Little Theatre. Last year, the event brought in $27.000.
"Community Pathways and its volunteers bring out lots of smiles and it really warms your heart," 'said Korbel.