Courtesy of Twin Cities Food Justice
“I never imagined I’d be on the front lines of the resistance.”
That’s what Claire Spence’s sister said to her the other day, as they talked about the ways they’re finding to help neighbors in need. Spence, who works in freelance social media and marketing in Minneapolis, is a co-founder of MN Neighbors, a digital landing page that aggregates resources and organizations that are fulfilling needs amid ongoing federal ICE operations in the state. “My sister has been helping in her neighborhood with pickups and donations and things like that,” Spence says. “It’s really scary, but at the same time, this city and this state have come together in ways that are so inspiring … People really care about each other here.”
That impulse to care is leading huge numbers of Minnesotans to seek out volunteer opportunities, whether they’re offering rides to immigrant neighbors who need to get to work, or donating funds to a local food shelf.
Uncertainty Continues
Today, Minnesota prepares for another general strike—a day where folks are encouraged to stay home from work, school, and shopping in solidarity with immigrant neighbors—and another weekend of uncertainty as ICE operations continue.
In addition, many Minnesotans had been keeping an eye on the prospect of a partial shutdown of the federal government. Funding for many federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, is set to run out after today if lawmakers don’t come to a consensus on how federal money should be allocated. As of this writing, members of the Senate have struck a tentative deal to separate funding for DHS from a broader government spending bill in the short term, while Congress debates restrictions on ICE.
Meeting Neighbors’ Needs
As ICE’s presence puts a chill on work and school, and some employees faced the prospect of delayed paychecks in the event of a shutdown, many Minnesotans are leaning more than ever on “helper” organizations: the nonprofits, mutual aid networks, and community organizations that are filling in the gaps.
Payton Kampschroer and Sade Young, Spence’s co-founders of MN Neighbors, have large followings on social media and have been using their platforms for the past few weeks to highlight neighbors in need and the organizations that are helping them. “I’m constantly trying to connect the dots and figure out solutions” for people reaching out for help, Young says. Via their MN Neighbors Instagram page, Young, Kampschroer, and Spence are amplifying the voices of immigrant neighbors and other impacted by ICE and a potential shutdown—including maintaining a spreadsheet of GoFundMe links where people can donate directly.
They say they’re seeing many requests for help with rent, as February nears and many families won’t be able to pay their rent or utility bills.
For Minnesotans who want to offer time, goods, or funds, Kampschroer says, “Jump in and do the best you can. Showing up looks different for everybody.”
The organizations and businesses highlighted below are the helpers. They offer food for neighbors who can’t make it to the grocery store; winter coats and clothing for families whose income is down; rides home for people who have been detained locally by ICE and then released; and warm spaces for community members to gather and offer support to one another. “Showing up in a warm, kind, generous way feels like the most active resistance we can do right now,” Kampschroer says. “Showing up with warmth feels very Minnesotan.”
Where to Donate, Volunteer, and Connect
MN Neighbors
This digital landing page highlights local organizations who need volunteer help or funds, plus direct links to GoFundMe campaigns for families impacted by ICE.
How to help: Visit MN Neighbors on Instagram to find avenues for donations or volunteering, plus updated news on the general strike and other advocacy efforts.
PROP
Based in the southwest metro, PROP (People Reaching Out to People) operates a local food shelf, including a recently expanded delivery service to make sure food gets to seniors, households with disabilities, and others who face barriers to accessing food. Currently, PROP is organizing a $100,000 emergency housing relief campaign to help stabilize neighbors who face housing insecurity.
How to help: Make a monetary donation to PROP’s housing relief fund online; donate food in person at PROP’s facility (14700 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie); or purchase something from PROP’s Amazon wish list and have it delivered directly to the food shelf.
Post Modern Times
Minneapolis diner Modern Times has changed its name to Post Modern Times and is running on a new model: Until federal immigration agents leave the city, all menu items are free, and donations are welcome. By not charging customers, the diner can avoid giving sales tax dollars to a government that they say is forcing an occupation of Minneapolis. Owner Dylan Alverson told MPR, “I’m just starting to think radically and say, if the world is in chaos, then business owners have to adapt to that chaos.”
How to help: Visit Post Modern Times and make a donation to help fund food for the community and staff members’ paychecks. 3200 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis; moderntimesmpls.square.site
Courtesy of Post Modern Times
Second Harvest Heartland
Even without the added stress of immigration enforcement and subzero temps, 32% of Minnesota families worry about whether they have enough food. Second Harvest Heartland, a food bank, uses its buying power to purchase hundreds of millions of pounds of food and get it to local food shelves.
How to help: Donate online. 2harvest.org
Stand with Minnesota
This directory of places to donate comes from activists who are working right in the field. In particular, they’re seeing lots of requests for help with rent as February arrives and many immigrant families are having to stay home from work (and therefore missing out on paychecks).
How to help: Visit Stand with Minnesota’s website to donate to orgs like the Immigration Rapid Response Fund or a “GoFundMe of the day.” standwithminnesota.com
Whipple Safe Haven/Haven Watch
This group of volunteers meets individuals who’ve been released from Minnesota ICE detention centers and helps them with immediate needs: a ride home, a phone, transportation, a warm coat, and more.
How to help: Apply to be an in-person volunteer, or make a monetary donation via Venmo: @WhippleSafeHaven.
Helping Hands
This organization delivers hygiene kits to families who are unable to leave their homes. They collect donations of items like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, diapers, baby wipes, and more.
How to help: Check Heping Hands’ Instagram page for donation times and locations, or make a monetary donation via Venmo: @SusyY13
Community Art Kits
A collective of local artists and neighbors are building “creative healing kits” for families impacted by ICE and who might be stuck at home. They’re accepting new and gently used paintbrushes, paint, glue, and other supplies.
How to help: Drop off art supplies at Crayon Kelly Experience, or make a monetary donation online. 1628 West End Blvd., St. Louis Park.
Ingebretsen’s Nordic Marketplace
This longtime community hub on Lake Street in Minneapolis has turned itself into a donation center for non-perishable food, dry goods, and funds, which are distributed via partner organizations.
How to help: Check to confirm whether donations are open or at capacity. Donate in person at Ingebretsen’s or check Instagram for an up-to-date list of local partners for monetary donations. 1601 E. Lake St., Minneapolis
Courtesy of Ingebretsen's
CAPI
In the Twin Cities, CAPI (Communities Advancing Prosperity for Immigrants) provides resources and fills immediate needs for individuals and families. They host book drives and food drives in partnership with local businesses and accept monetary donations.
How to help: Donate online.
Open Market MN
This food justice initiative, started by the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Collective many years ago, was in some ways designed to respond to the current moment. The organization procures fresh produce from regional farms and hosts open food markets in St. Paul, puts together grocery packs for families in need, produces community dinners to feed protesters and volunteers, and more.
How to help: Make a donation via Venmo: @Chef-Collective-1123; stop by the market to donate or help deliver food packs at Zion Community Commons. 1697 Lafond Ave., St. Paul
Courtesy of Open Market MN
TC Food Justice
Typically focused on minimizing food waste in the Twin Cities, this nonprofit is organizing food and supply drives with partners all over town, from Woodbury to St. Louis Park and many locations in between.
How to help: Drop off non-perishable food at the Solsta Records Rockin’ Roller truck through Feb. 1 at 6006 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park; or make a donation of funds online.
Courtesy of Twin Cities Food Justice
VEAP
Longtime Bloomington food shelf VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People) is working to get food to families in need, including offering home deliveries. Some local businesses are serving as drop-off points for VEAP Care Packs. A new VEAP satellite office at Edina’s Fire Station #2 offers neighbors help with past-due rent and utilities, plus access to food and hygiene kits.
How to help: Donate food in person at VEAP’s headquarters, 9600 Aldrich Ave. S., Bloomington; or make a monetary donation online. Donate $30 to help fill and deliver a Care Pack to a family, or drop off food and other Care Pack items at Edina Coffee Roasters through Feb. 3: 7031 Cahill Road, Edina.
Courtesy of VEAP
Crochet Drive
In partnership with the Textile Center of Minnesota, local fiber artists like Miranda Olson (@crafty_mama_mir on Instagram) are hosting a Crochet for Good workshop on Feb. 1 from 1-3 p.m.
How to help: Crochet or knit a warm item—hat, mittens, etc.—at the Feb. 1 workshop or drop off items you’ve already made to support families in need. Bring along other needed items, too: Soap, body wash, shampoo, diapers, toilet paper, and more will be donated to local families by partner organizations. Workshop on Feb. 1., 1-3 p.m.; Textile Center, 3000 University Ave., Minneapolis
North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center
This pet-centered organization participates in mutual aid for families who need pet food or veterinary care, or temporary foster placements if they’re unable to care for their animals.
How to help: Fill out a volunteer interest form or make a monetary donation online.
Courtesy of North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center
