BRAINERD — The overnight warming shelter for those experiencing homelessness in the Brainerd lakes area has reopened as of Monday, Sept. 1.
The Bridge on 7th shelter operated by the faith-based nonprofit Bridges of Hope opened its doors in south Brainerd for the fifth season. The shelter operates nightly from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. from September through May.
The Bridge offers guests who are 18 or older a place to sleep, personal necessities provided by donors and support from trained staff. Organizers say that since its inception in 2021, the program has helped more than 530 individuals and supplied nearly 13,500 nights of shelter.
“The Bridge on 7th is more than just a shelter, it’s a place where guests are seen, heard and supported,” stated Jana Shogren, executive director of Bridges of Hope, in a news release. “Our goal is to meet each person where they’re at, offering not just a bed for the night, but a connection to something more.”
Typically, the shelter has not been open between the months of May and August. But earlier this year, the organization sought a change to the permit to keep it open year-round.
The request came after the city councils in Brainerd and Baxter instituted camping bans on public property in 2024. But the Brainerd City Council denied the request to stay open, citing concerns that included the resource attracting people from outside the community or creating public safety issues.
This prompted dozens to speak out in favor of the shelter at multiple council meetings and on the street outside city hall, while shelter leaders noted this left some of the most vulnerable without a legal place to sleep.
The shelter must also now return annually to request to renew its permit instead of every three years as a result of council action.
Those interested in learning more about the shelter, including a list of needed items for donations or how to volunteer, may visit the Bridges of Hope website.
-
Contributed/Tara Winstead via PexelsResearch shows men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. -
Co-hosts Charlie Mitchell and Heidi Holtan delight in tiny toads, listen to catbirds, and wonder at crab spiders.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe! -
Contributed/InciWebThe U.S. Forest Service is also banning campfires amid dry conditions. The closures and campfire ban go into effect July 11, 2026. -
And: Minnesota partners hope opioid prevention success spreads to youth; and a community storytelling initiative aims to capture recovery stories in St. Louis County. -
Contributed/Koochiching Soil and Water Conservation DistrictThe plan will guide the implementation of voluntary conservation projects and programs in the northeastern Minnesota watershed over the next decade. -
Contributed/Towfiqu barbhuiya via PexelsA foundation coordinating with local partners says the opioid crisis isn't over, and a new Minnesota grant is an example of the urgency felt in preventing youth tragedies. -
Contributed/Tom Neustrom Fishing Promotions Facebook PageThe Grand Rapids area fishing guide and former Itasca County deputy died in his home on July 5, 2026. He contributed to the Minnesota fishing community in numerous ways. -
Contributed/Rosemary Holliday HallCalifornia artist Rosemary Holliday Hall’s work is on display at the Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids through July 18, 2026. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEKAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Mighty Trains Band, Christopher David Hanson, j. bell & the Lazy Susan Band and Sonny Johnson. -
Contributed/Itasca County Sheriff's OfficeBruce Larson was reported missing July 9, 2026, in the Wabana area, north of Grand Rapids. He was found safe later that morning.
