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Community programs

Creekside Community Center is home to a variety of programs for all ages and incomes.


 

English as a Second Language

Adult Student ©Bigstock

English language learners are invited to practice and improve their language skills at Creekside Mondays, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. 

This program provides small group tutoring in a relaxed and informal setting. A variety of skills are taught including writing, basic conversation and daily life skills. Stop by class to see if this is the right class for you.

This program does not provide English proficiency testing. Open to all ages and free to attend.

Food programs

City Diner

Creekside contracts with Optage Senior Dining to provide delicious, catered meals served at 11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday at Creekside. Reservations are required by noon, two working days before meal.

Anyone aged 60 and older may pay a suggested contribution of $0 – 3.50 for regular lunch meals and $0 – 4.50 for special lunch events with a completed NAPIS (National Aging Program Information System) form. Those who choose not to fill out the form or are under the age of 60, must pay $7.25.

Contact Creekside to make reservations and for NAPIS form.

May menu

Optage Home Delivered Heat and Eat Meals

With the choice of more than 65 home-delivered meals, enjoy the freedom to dine when you want to. These meals are ordered and delivered weekly on Wednesdays.

Heat and eat meals are available to Bloomington residents ages 60 and older and adults with disabilities. Meals are available through private pay at the cost of $6.75 for a complete meal and $4.75 for an entrée, waiver programs, and other subsidized programs based on qualification.

For more information, go to Optage Senior Dining Choices or call 651-746-8200.

Loaves and Fishes

A free evening meal is served to all ages and incomes Monday – Friday, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Creekside. If you are interested in dining at Loaves and Fishes, come in and have a seat, no reservations needed, no questions asked.

Meals are sponsored by local businesses and organizations that purchase, prepare, serve, and clean-up each night. If you or a group are interested in volunteering or donating to this site, contact Bloomington Loaves & Fishes at 952-948-0746 or go to Loaves & Fishes.

Fare For All

Fare For All is open to everyone. This food distribution program can save you up to 40 percent on brand-name groceries. Items include fresh produce, frozen meat, and other basic groceries. There are no income guidelines. Cash, credit, debit and EBT are accepted.

Fare For All 2019

Little Free Library

 
Little Free Library

Visit the Creekside Little Free Library. Located outside of the west entrance, this library provides books for all ages and is one of an estimated 6,500 Little Free Libraries located in 36 different countries. This unique program started in 2009 which continues to grow one library at a time. 

To use the library, simply stop by to take a book and/or leave a book. Please bring large donations of books to Creekside's main office Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Tax assistance

The 2019 income tax season has come to an end at Creekside. Thank HUGE you to AARP Tax-Aide and Prepare + Prosper for your dedication and knowledge to help make these programs possible.

If you had your taxes prepared by either of these groups and have questions, please contact them directly; AARP Tax Aide, 952-858-9040 or Prepare + Prosper, 651-287-0187. You can also try visiting IRS.gov and Revenue.State.MN.US.
Taxes ©Bigstock

Property Tax

Homeowners and renters with low-middle income can walk-in to Creekside on Tuesday, July 16 to have volunteers from AARP Tax-Aide help file Minnesota property tax and renters refund returns.

This is a free, walk-in service.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Income Tax

Creekside Community Center has partnered with AARP Tax-Aide and Prepare + Prosper to provide free tax assistance to those who meet income requirements. Taxpayers with complex tax returns are advised to seek paid tax assistance.

AARP Tax-Aide

Free tax preparation services to individuals and families with middle to low income on a first-come, first-served basis. Taxpayers with complex tax return requirements are advised to seek paid tax services.

Mondays and Tuesdays
February 4 – April 15
9 a.m.

Prepare + Prosper

Free tax preparation and financial services for individuals with annual incomes of $35,000 or less and families with annual incomes of $55,000 or less. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by visiting PrepareAndProsper.org or calling 651-287-0187.

Tuesday and Thursday evenings
Saturday mornings
January 29 – April 13
Monday, April 15

Have specific tax related questions and concerns?

Representatives from AARP Tax Aide can be reached at 952-858-9040 and Prepare + Prosper can be reached at 651-287-0187.

Looking for tax forms or instruction books?

These can be obtained by visiting IRS.gov and Revenue.State.MN.US.

Representatives from AARP Tax Aide can be reached at 952-858-9040 and Prepare + Prosper can be reached at 651-287-0187.

Looking for tax forms or instruction books?

These can be obtained by visiting IRS.gov and Revenue.State.MN.US.

Contact Information

Tennessen warning
Please take notice that any data received by the City as the result of submitting this form will be classified as government data pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13. Under the Data Practices Act, some or all of this data is classified as public data, including your name, address, email address, phone number, and other personal information provided by you. Public data is available to anyone requesting it and consists of all data furnished via this Web form. Please be advised that the correspondence will be added to the public record. The purpose and intended use of the information collected through this form is to obtain public input and data in support of City activities and services. You have the right to refuse to submit this form. If you choose not to submit this form, you will need to contact the City by another means if you wish to provide the information collected by the form.

Nondiscrimination and accommodation commitments
The City of Bloomington does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Bloomington services, programs, and activities. Upon request, this information can be provided in Braille, large print, audio tape and/or electronic format.