EAGAN, Minn. — Multiple community partners of the Minnesota Vikings are making adjustments to their programs and ramping up efforts to help the region in a fight against the COVID-19 virus.
The Vikings on Friday committed $250,000 to help the community during this crisis, and the Wilf Family Foundations is matching the donation for a total impact of $500,000.
Read below to find out how you can help.
The Minnesota Council on Foundations and Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation convened to discuss the impact of a potential coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the state of Minnesota. The discussion led to the inception of the Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund for Coronavirus, created to support community needs as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The MDRF funds both short- and long-term needs that arise within communities, due to coronavirus and future disasters that occur within the state of Minnesota. One-hundred percent of fund contributions will be distributed to grant-making organizations for disaster recovery efforts in the state of Minnesota.
Visit GiveMN.org to contribute to the Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities have closed their locations through Friday, April 3, 2020, but staff are continuing to meet the needs of families.
BGCTC is committed to supporting youth and families and keeping all staff employed during this challenging time. BGCTC staff continue to connect with each family to ensure they have the necessary support while also working in small, virtual teams to strengthen and enhance curriculum, lesson plans and general operations of clubs.
BGCTC is providing families with key resources during this challenging time. Resources can be found here.
To make a monetary donation, visit here.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. There are 10 locations throughout the Twin Cities that serve 9,000 youth and provide 135,000 meals or snacks each year.
Second Harvest Heartland is providing emergency food boxes so those experiencing hunger can access needed meals while reducing their risk of exposure. Second Harvest Heartland is coordinating an effort to distribute meals prepared by local restaurants through Loaves and Fishes – a free public dining program with 30 locations.
Second Harvest Heartland is also working to ensure that everyone who is eligible for SNAP has access to it.
One in 11 people in our region are at risk of being hungry even though there is more than enough food to feed our hungry neighbors. More than half a million people in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin face hunger, a crisis in which underemployment and rising costs of living play a role. Second Harvest Heartland leads through innovation, finding creative solutions to connect the full resources of our community with our hungry neighbors.
Prior to March 13, The Sheridan Story's weekend food program was operating in 250 Minnesota schools. However, due to COVID-19, The Sheridan Story has halted their distribution methods. The organization is now working closely with school district leadership and are creating distribution points for food for students. They are partnering with more than 30 districts in Minnesota and western Wisconsin to provide food at these distribution points. These districts include more than 87,000 students on free or reduced lunch, which is 30 percent of all Minnesota students on free or reduced lunch.
The Sheridan Story has already surpassed its original goal of preparing 330,000 meals. In the past week, The Sheridan Story has distributed more than 168,000 meals to children and families affected by school closures.
Every $100 makes it possible for 25 children to receive meals. To make a monetary contribution, please visit here. To volunteer, please visit here.
More than 200,000 children in Minnesota live with food insecurity. Without reliable access to food – such as free and reduced meal programs at school – the risk of hunger is very real. The Sheridan Story works to fight hunger in our community by filling the gaps to food access that children face during weekends, summers and extended breaks.
When the threat of COVID-19 hit, Greater Twin Cities United Way connected with 95 nonprofit partners to identify the most pressing needs and created the Greater Twin Cities COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
By giving to the Fund, you provide immediate support such as food, shelter, childcare, sanitary and hygiene supplies and financial assistance to those most vulnerable to issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One-hundred percent of your donation goes directly into the community. Donate here or text GTCUWCOVID19 to 51555.
As our community navigates the COVID-19 crisis, Greater Twin Cities United Way is committed to supporting those impacted by its effects and bringing the community together in the face of this unprecedented pandemic.
Greater Twin Cities United Way seeks to galvanize our community to build pathways toward prosperity and equity for all. Together, we will create a region where all people thrive, regardless of income, race or place.
The Salvation Army stands ready to meet the needs of people impacted by COVID-19 and has ramped up its efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus. While some of The Salvation Army's non-essential programs have been suspended, its most important programs – food, emergency assistance, and housing – will remain open, in accordance with government safety recommendations.
Food shelves in Minnesota and North Dakota are open by appointment. Grocery amounts will be distributed according to the size of each household. The Salvation Army operates dozens of housing facilities that provide emergency, transitional and permanent housing for hundreds of people in Minnesota and North Dakota. Extra precautions are being taken at these shelters to ensure they continue to stay open. Social services offices are also open to provide emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities and transportation, as resources allow.
A monetary gift will allow The Salvation Army to respond to this crisis as it continues to unfold every day. To make a financial contribution, please visit here. The Salvation Army is also in need of masks, latex gloves, hand sanitizer and antibacterial cleaners. These items are needed for the staff and volunteers as they continue to serve our guests. These items can be shipped to The Salvation Army Northern Division Headquarters (2445 Prior Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113).
The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this COVID-19 outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients who are counting on lifesaving blood.
Donating blood is a safe process, and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood. Right now, eligible and healthy donors are strongly urged to make an appointment to give soon. Click here to find a location near you.
Alternatively, you can elect to make a financial contribution. To do so, please visit here.
Help support urgent community needs created by the COVID-19 outbreak. Please keep in mind: honor public health recommendations, look for opportunities that are limited in size, and stay home when you are (or feel) sick.
To look for opportunities to volunteer, please visit here.
HandsOn Twin Cities is the only full-service volunteer center that both promotes and facilitates volunteerism while improving the community's ability to create more impact with the time generously given by volunteers.
Over the past several days, many of you have asked how you can help. We are humbled by your show of support and appreciation to our team members and patients during these unprecedented COVID-19 times. The safety of our community and team members is our number one priority, and with the increased global shortage of Personal Protective Equipment, North Memorial Health is now gratefully accepting donations. Your contributions help define what it means to be a health family, and we are honored that you are willing to be a part of it in this way.
To donate, please click here.
