Sustainability and Community Impact

As summer began in Bemidji, MN, the early morning of June 21st brought severe storms with winds reaching up to 120 MPH. Our community was hit hard - landscapes changed, businesses damaged, and power lost for days.

In the face of this crisis, The Sanford Center quickly became a designated emergency shelter, opening our doors to provide food, water, and safety for those in need. With the support of the American Red Cross, we were able to offer comfort and care to many during those critical early hours.

Despite sustaining damage ourselves, our priority remained clear - serve our community. Through long nights and tireless efforts, our team worked to create a safe haven for those affected.

We are incredibly grateful for the resilience and compassion shown by our neighbors. While Bemidji’s landscape may look different, the spirit of our people remains unchanged.

We are united.
We are resilient.
We are Bemidji Strong.

The 2025 Northern Minnesota’s Women’s Expo took place May 10^th during Women’s Health Month as well as Mother’s Day weekend. This event raised over $1,800, which was donated to the Northern Minnesota Addiction Wellness Center. Tickets that were sold, 80% of those sales went to support the center’s mission towards proactive resources. There also was a pop-up thrift shop where, thanks to generous donors in our community, thousands of clothing items and accessories were sold for $2 each, and 100% of those proceeds were donated to the center.

This event was held in the George W. Neilson Convention Center and featured over 45 vendors, interactive demonstrations such as wine tasting and sourdough baking, a health panel from Sanford Health, inspirational discussions, and more. We would like to say thank you to our community as we seek to inspire and create an empowering day for women.

The first annual Babes Burnout Car Show kicked off with a bang on July 15, 2023. More than 3,200 people gathered at The Sanford Center's parking lot to view over 130 cars from Minnesota, North Dakota, Canada, and beyond. Two years later, attendance has doubled, with more cruisers joining here at The Sanford Center. Babe's Burnout Car Show 2025 has been our biggest yet! 

The Babes Burnout Car Show is a free community event that includes various vendors, food trucks, a kid zone, live music, a beer tent, a cornhole tournament, an award ceremony, a dyno, and a burnout pit. There was something for everyone at the Babes Burnout Car Show and we are thrilled for its return on July 11th, 2026!

In 2023 and 2024, The Sanford Center donated to several organizations, including Colors of Cancer, Sherlin Volunteer Fire Department, Miller Benefit, Voyagers Area Council, and the Northwoods Battered Women's Shelter. We also introduced signature drinks at the Bemidji State Men's hockey games, and a portion of the sales proceeds were donated to a local organization. During the past season, we donated $400 to Great River Rescue, $350 to North Country First Responders, $400 to United Way of Bemidji Area, $500 to the Minnesota Make-A-Wish Chapter, and $250 to Bemidji Community Food Shelf.

We are committed to giving back to our community by supporting various charitable causes, events, and organizations that align with our mission. If you are seeking a donation from us, please complete the form below.

Donation Request Form: Donation Request Form - The Sanford Center.pdf

We enjoy being active in the community. In December 2023 , during the month of giving, our staff raised donations of new hats and mittens for our local Boys & Girls Club and volunteered at the Community Table. Throughout 2025, our team aims to participate in at least one volunteer event per month. We are all very excited to engage with other community members and give back.