
Shutterstock
Minneapolis Skyline
Have an idea? Please send tips to edit@mspmag.com.
St. Stephens Human Services is asking for donations of frozen meals for its emergency shelters. St. Stephens asks that donors coordinate dropoff in advance. Meals, as well as hand sanitizer, hand soap, disinfecting wipes, paper towels, and toilet paper can be dropped off at 2309 Nicollet Ave.
Springboard for the Arts has set up a fundraiser to aid its personal emergency relief fund, which generally supports artists facing career-threatening emergencies. With the proliferation of cancelled events due to the coronavirus, Springboard has decided to expand the fund to include artists, contractors, and freelancers that have lost income due to cancellations.
Item donations for People Serving People, the family-focused homeless shelter, can be taken to 614 S 3rd St. in Minneapolis. Two items urgently needed at this time are Similac Soy Isomil Powder Formula and Similac Sensitive Powder Formula.
Help At Your Door provides services for seniors and people with disabilities throughout the Twin Cities metro area. This can include help with grocery shopping and storage, home cleaning and repair, and transportation.
Help Second Harvest Heartland supply those in Minnesota and western Wisconsin facing hunger. Money donations can be made here.
Emma Norton Services, which provides housing and care to women, children, and families experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and chemical dependency, needs cleaning supplies, diapers, full sized personal care products, and financial donations to keep operating its supportive housing in a safe manner.
The Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis provide help for families and individuals struggling with homelessness and hunger. Private donations fund about 90 percent of its emergency shelter operations, so any additional donations during this time can greatly aid the shelters in operating in the safest and most effective manner.
Twin Cities Music Community Trust is supporting local musician and the workforce in the music and event industries suffering due to the many cancellations of shows and events. Donations help any individuals losing out on work due to the coronavirus.
Loaves and Fishes is keeping its food service sites open during the pandemic. Just $2.50 can mean a meal for someone in need.
Residents at Jones-Harrison, a senior residence near Cedar Lake, aren't able to participate in group activities or have visitors during the pandemic. The facility is requesting donations like magazines, books, crafting materials, puzzles, DVDs, CDs, CD players with speakers, sudoku and crossword puzzle books, and coloring books. The front desk will accept donations.
Angel Foundation provides support for local adults living with cancer through its Emergency Financial Assistance grants. These grants help pay rent, utilities, gas, and food. Donations can be made online.
Fraser is a provider of autism and early childhood mental health services, assisting infants through adults with healthcare, housing, employment, and more. All seven of Fraser's locations in Minnesota (Bloomington, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis, Richfield, and Woodbury) are currently open and providing full service. Donations can be made on their website.
VEAP, located in Bloomington, is a food pantry and social services organization. They are currently looking for money donations, as well as food and item donations, to help those in need. A $1 donation helps VEAP purchase enough food for a recipient to make six meals. Money donations can be made here.
The Sheridan Story is a nonprofit dedicated to fighting child hunger in our local communities. They are continuing their work to feed children; every $100 of donations puts meals on the table for 25 children. Donations can be made here.
Community Emergency Assistance Programs is a community-based non-profit providing help for low-income families and individuals, seniors and adults with disabilities. This includes emergency boxes of non-perishable and fresh food that can feed a family of four for up to two weeks, and frozen meals for seniors through its Meals on Wheels program. A $50 donation covers the cost of food for a family of four for two weeks; a $70.60 covers two weeks of frozen meals for seniors through Meals on Wheels. Donations can be made here.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is a statewide organization serving 1 in 65 Minnesotans, and offers a variety of services, including youth homelessness, care for seniors, mental health services, and more. LSS is currently asking for groceries and hygiene items for youths experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities. LSS is also looking for volunteers to package and deliver meals to seniors' homes in Greater Minnesota and volunteer caregivers. Volunteer updates can be found here, while money donations can be made here. For more information about providing groceries and items for youths experiencing homelessness, contact Rosie Blanc at Rose.Blanc@lssmn.org or call 651-470-8801.
Greater Twin Cities United Way has set up a COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. All donations go directly to those who need it, providing funds for food, shelter, childcare, hygiene supplies, and financial assistance. Donations can be made here.
Allina Health has created a Caring for Caregivers fund to support their front-line health caregivers working through the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations assist these workers with mortgage and rent payments, child care, utility payments, and more. Donations can be made here.