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The killing of George Floyd left people around the world desperately searching for justice.
In the immediate hours after the devastation in Minneapolis, an incredible amount of Minnesotans came through with donations of food, first aid supplies and more. So much so, organizations had to turn donors away.
However, it will take years to rebuild Minneapolis. A major concern for residents is where they will get food. For many, the stores they relied on were looted or burned. Thousands of Minneapolis residents already lived in ‘food deserts’, and that number significantly grew. Hopping in a car to drive to a suburban grocery store is a luxury many don’t have.
Here is your opportunity to help the helpers. Below are organizations embedded in the communities most impacted by damage from riots, along with ways you can support their efforts. Remember, cash donations are always the best ways you can give.
If you know of another group not listed below, please email me.
Also on Give Me The Mike… where to donate food, clothing and household essentials
The Aliveness Project
The Aliveness Project offers a meal program and food shelf to those living with HIV.
Located at 38th and Nicollet, The Aliveness Project is near the area most impacted.
Donate to The Aliveness Project here.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Midway
The church, near University and Snelling Avenues, is in a very hard hit area of Saint Paul.
Check their Facebook page to see what they need.
Donate to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Midway via this GoFundMe. You can also donate via Venmo at @BLCMidway.
Calvary Lutheran Church
Located at 39th and Chicago in Minneapolis, Calvary Lutheran Church’s food shelf serves the Bryant neighborhood and neighboring communities.
Donate to Calvary Lutheran Church’s food shelf here. Cash donations are best.
Center for Asians and Pacific Islanders (CAPI)
CAPI serves more than 4,000 low-income immigrants, refugees and people of color living primarily in Hennepin County. They have a location on Lake Street along with their headquarters in Brooklyn Center.
Their food distribution program provides a total of 450,000 pounds of food per year.
Community Emergency Service (CES)
CES operates out of the former Emanuel Methodist Church building, located on the corner of 11th Avenue and 19th Street in Minneapolis. They serve the Phillips neighborhood along with other portions of north and south Minneapolis.
Each month, CES distributes about 23 tons of food through all of the CES food distributions. Guests can visit the food shelf once a month.
Division of Indian Work
The Division of Indian Work strengthens urban American Indian people through culturally-based education, traditional healing approaches, and leadership development. Their offices are on Lake Street, nearly Midtown Global Market.
Per the Facebook post above, cash donations are best. If you prefer to donate goods, please email them first, as they just don’t have the space at this time to store items. Plus, staff are unable to get to the food shelf.
Donate to the Division of Indian Work here.
The Food Group
Based in New Hope, The Food Group serves 32 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Their Fare for All program offers affordable groceries and packages of produce and meat for up to 40% off retail prices.
Donate to The Food Group here.
House of Charity
Based in downtown Minneapolis, House of Charity started in the early 1950s. It houses 116 men and women who have experienced homelessness.
The nonprofit feeds more than 350 people a day during a public lunch, held daily from 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Details here.
House of Charity is always in need of food. Click here for specific details.
Donate cash to House of Charity here.
Open Arms of Minnesota
Open Arms of Minnesota prepares and delivers free meals to those living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, MS, ALS and other life-threatening illnesses. Many clients live in impacted areas.
Their office at 25th and Bloomington in Minneapolis is 1.5 miles from the epicenter of damage on Lake Street. Open Arms had to board up windows.
Donate to Open Arms of Minnesota here.
Pillsbury United Communities
For over 140 years, Pillsbury United Communities has provided foundations for full, healthy lives for children and families in various parts of Minneapolis.
Their food programs are open to all, with no income or ZIP code restrictions. First-time food shelf visitors will be asked to complete a short registration.
Donate to Pillsbury United Communities here.
Simpson Food Pantry
An outreach of Simpson United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, Simpson Food Pantry serves those living in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis: Franklin Avenue on the north, Lake Street on the south, Lyndale Avenue on the west, and Portland Avenue on the east.
Sampson Food Pantry gives away free produce on Tuesdays.
Donate to Simpson Food Pantry via this GoFundMe page.
Additional Resources
If you want to nominate a nonprofit to be featured in Give Me The Mike’s Serve Our Society series, email mike@givemethemike.com.
Also on Give Me The Mike…
A list of programs and restaurants providing food to families in Minnesota
Read more stories in Give Me The Mike’s Serve Our Society series
Minneapolis nonprofit expected to deliver 600,000 free meals this year to those with life-threatening illnesses
New to Give Me The Mike?
Read how I adapted after losing both parents before I was 25 and being diagnosed with epilepsy.
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