Tusen Tack Volunteers Named 2026 Good Neighbor Honorees

For nearly 40 years, the volunteers of Tusen Tack have built and sustained one of East Central Minnesota’s most vibrant community hubs—work that has earned them recognition as 2026 Good Neighbor Honorees by the Initiative Foundation.

The Good Neighbor Honor celebrates individuals and groups whose quiet, steadfast service strengthens communities across Central Minnesota. Honorees are recognized for consistently showing up for their neighbors, organizations and communities—often without seeking recognition. Tusen Tack, its founders and its volunteers are among four honorees to be recognized in 2026 as part of the Initiative Foundation’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Based at the Braham Event Center, Tusen Tack is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that supports a range of community services, including a thrift store, food shelf, library, Kathy’s Kitchen and the event center itself. Together, these interconnected efforts create a welcoming hub that meets essential needs while building connection and belonging across East Central Minnesota.

More than 200 volunteers contribute their time and talents across all of Tusen Tack’s operations. Revenue generated through the thrift store, commercial kitchen catering services, event center bookings (volunteers welcomed 30,000 visitors in 2023) and donations helps sustain the organization’s mission while funding the Braham Area Food Shelf, supporting the Alice Studt Library and investing in community engagement efforts throughout the region.

“The Tusen Tack volunteers embody an unwavering, multigenerational commitment to community, connection and service,” said Brian Voerding, Initiative Foundation president. “Their impressive dedication has created opportunities and strengthened relationships that have rippled out for decades to make Braham a really special place that invests in and cares for everyone.”

The Braham Event Center opened in 2014 with support from the Initiative Foundation’s Healthy Communities Partnership, now known as the Thriving Communities program. Since then, Tusen Tack volunteers have continued to grow and sustain the space as a regional hub for East Central Minnesota.

The volunteers will be recognized on June 10 at the Braham Event Center during one of four Initiative Foundation 40th anniversary celebrations. The event will include a tribute video sharing their collective story and impact.

Thanks to generous support from sponsors, the Tusen Tack volunteers will receive a $5,000 grant to support their ongoing work, further extending their impact in the community.

Event details and RSVP information are available at ifound.org/about/40th-year.