Chores On Wheels

Helping older homeowners in Blue Earth and Nicollet counties to remain living independently

Volunteers, under the supervision of VINE’s Chore Coordinator, are available to assist with household chores.

Chores on Wheels is intended to provide assistance to low and moderate income homeowners who do not have family members available to help with household chores.

As with all VINE services, there is no set fee for the services provided by the Chores on Wheels staff or volunteers. However, we ask those who receive chore assistance to be as generous as possible with a donation to the program.

Tax-deductible gifts are gratefully received and are used to keep the chore vans running and to cover some of the costs of providing chores for older homeowners.

Start-up funding for Chores on Wheels was received from a grant from the Minnesota Board on Aging as a part of the Community Services Initiative. Tools were purchased through a generous gift from the Greater Mankato Area United Way.

Homeowners are required to provide for the cost of all needed materials.

What VINE can help you with:

Heavy Household Chores
1. Washing windows
2. Launder and re-hang drapes/curtains
3. Interior/Exterior cleaning of refrigerators and freezers
4. Cleaning under furniture
5. Sweep out baseboard heaters
6. Clean tubs, showers and ceiling fans
7. Wash woodwork and cupboards

Simple Household Chores
1. Sweep out garages
2. Replace light bulbs
3. Install and replace batteries in smoke detectors
4. Light pilot lights

Seasonal Chores
1. Rake leaves, mow lawns and shovel snow
2. Clean gutters and downspouts
3. Trim bushes
4. Change furnace filters
5. Clean and change storm windows/doors
6. Clean and change screen windows/doors
7. Store seasonal furniture
8. Seasonal decorating

We May Also Be Able To Help With
1. Small home repairs
2. Minor carpentry tasks
3. Small plumbing problems
4. Inside and outside painting
5. Railing & grab bar installation
6. Ramp building

Although we are unable to help you with major home repairs such as roofing, siding or water heater replacement, our Chore Coordinator can help you to determine the best way to get the job done.

VINE’s capable and caring staff member is available to meet with you and the contractor of your choice to assure that the job is completed properly and as economically as possible. We’ll follow through to make sure that you’re satisfied.

What if the repairs needed on your house cost more than you can afford?

Perhaps, we can help. We have information about and can help you to apply for several different types of home repair loans available to seniors.

1. Reverse Mortgages make it possible to defer payment on home repair loans until your decide to sell your home.
2. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) loans are available to homeowners who meet income and asset guidelines. The repayment of these loans will be forgiven if the homeowner remains living in the home for ten years.