Support the Cities
This past week, residents of Minneapolis and St. Paul have found themselves in new food deserts, in addition to those that have already existed. Basic necessities, such as toiletries and hygiene supplies, are in high demand, as well.
Local organizations are lending a hand. Support the Cities is flagging drop-off and pick-up sites on its Facebook Events page. Second Harvest Heartland, one of nation’s largest food banks, has compiled an online list of food shelves and free dining sites in South Minneapolis, along with food assistance in other locations.
The St. Paul-based hunger-relief organization Hunger Solutions has launched a Food Shelf Relief Fund. Find out how you can donate here, and use the group’s map to find food shelves near you. If you call its Minnesota Food HelpLine, someone can assess your situation and provide solutions.
Here are some other local organizations seeking donations, volunteer efforts, and financial support. We will continue to update this list. Please check the organizations’ Facebook pages or websites before stopping by, as necessities and supplies are continuously changing.
Minneapolis
Aliveness Project
Accepting donations Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the wellness program is asking for hygiene products, non-perishable food items, water bottles, cleaning supplies, and face masks (3808 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis). You can also make a monetary donation here.
Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
The Fellowship church is looking for hygiene products, toothpaste, toilet paper, mouthwash, deodorant, lotion, and other items listed here (3355 N. Fourth St., Minneapolis).
Friday Food Distribution, by Mount Carmel Lutheran Church
On Fridays, Mount Carmel Lutheran Church provides pre-packaged food boxes, each meant to feed a family of four for up to three days. Pick up at the back of the church (1701 St. Anthony Parkway, Minneapolis).
Grocery Pop-Up at New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
Wednesday through Saturday, drop off and pick up at this Minneapolis church (3859 Fremont Ave. N., Minneapolis). Sign up on Facebook.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Holy Trinity is accepting donations Wednesday through Friday, weather permitting, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and distributing items through 6 p.m. (2730 E. 31st St., Minneapolis). Urgent needs include cooking oil, water, laundry detergent, Gatorade, diapers, personal soap.
Loaves & Fishes
The multi-site, metro-based hunger-relief nonprofit has been serving meals, canvassing the streets, and setting up free markets at its Salvation Army location on Lake Street (1604 E. Lake St., Minneapolis). They’re also seeking out volunteers at sites throughout the Twin Cities. Keep tabs on what they’re doing on Facebook.
MN Transitions Charter School
This donation drive takes place in the parking lot of the MN Transitions Charter School (2872 26th Ave. S., Minneapolis). Drop off between 9 a.m. and noon. Topping the list of requested items: non-perishables, toiletries, and baby items. Find a complete list here.
People & Pets Together
Donate pet food, cat litter, and other essentials to this food shelf for pets that’s open daily (3745 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis).
Sanctuary Covenant Church
The North Minneapolis church is serving as a distribution site (2018 Aldrich Ave. N., Minneapolis), collecting non-perishables, grocery bags, toilet paper, hygiene products, and other essentials.
All My Relations Arts
The Native American gallery has begun working as a food pantry (1414 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis). For now, they are holding off on donations so that they can organize and distribute what they have. Look on their Facebook page for updates on how you can contribute.
Circle of Discipline
After collecting food for the elderly, the Circle of Discipline nonprofit is now seeking volunteers on Wednesday to organize and distribute the food to those who show up (1201 E. Lake St., Minneapolis). They open to the community at 10 a.m.
Community Emergency Service
The crisis-relief nonprofit (1900 11th Ave. S., Minneapolis) has filled up for now but is accepting monetary donations and will post updates on Facebook.
Pimento Jamaican Kitchen
No more physical donations for now. The Minneapolis restaurant is doing a two-part Pimento Summit starting Saturday, June 6, featuring socially distanced yoga, art, poetry, music, kids’ activities, and more with masks required. The goal? Radical self-care and problem solving related to racial justice. Follow updates on Facebook. You can also donate online via Venmo (@pimentokitchen) to support the Pimento Relief Fund.
St. Paul
Bethlehem Lutheran in the Midway
Follow the Facebook page of the Bethlehem Lutheran church in the Midway (436 Roy St. N., St. Paul) for updates about needed donations (including water, household goods, grocery items, baby items, and more) and drop-off times.
Feeding Frogtown
Throughout the month, the Frogtown Neighborhood Association is collecting and giving out groceries from 3 to 7 p.m. (643 Virginia St., St. Paul). They’re offering delivery, but check Facebook to see whether they’re at capacity.
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
The St. Paul community center is asking for financial donations to help them provide childcare and food support.
