Letter From the
Executive Director
There is no good place to be homeless.
Urban shelters, suburban churches, or motel rooms in rural Minnesota are not a substitute for a home of your own, but in times of crisis, they can be a life saver. But far too many Minnesotans do not have access even to this most basic of needs.
According to the Wilder Research 2012 homeless report, 12% of Twin Cities homeless are unsheltered. In Greater MN, an alarming 41% of homeless are unsheltered, thus living in cars, storage sheds, fish houses and other unfit places. Perhaps nowhere is the crisis more apparent than on and near the Leech Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota.
Last summer up to 100 men, women, and children lived in tents on the Leech Lake Veterans Memorial Grounds in Cass Lake. Untold more lived outdoors in various places in the surrounding area. But the good news is that a shelter is opening on the Reservation.
Open Your Heart was pleased to award a grant for the purchase of a van to allow staff and volunteers to conduct outreach to homeless people throughout that area. With reliable transportation, a chronic issue for those homeless and in need of shelter and services, it is critical that the shelter staff is able to reach out. The isolation of people who are homeless or those fleeing domestic violence in Greater MN is a significant barrier in ensuring that those in need are able to access the most basic of services.
We are very happy with the leadership of tribal officials and the hard work of so many to bring this important project to the greater Cass Lake community and are thankful to our donors for making this grant possible.
Ed Murphy
The Food Group
Like them on Facebook!
Good foods in the good fight against hunger. More than 35 years of ensuring everyone has a place at the table.
Throughout their 35-year history, they have worked with food shelves, meal providers and other organizations to provide access to free quality food and bulk food at or below wholesale prices.
As it became clear emergency food distribution could not be the only response to hunger, they worked with their community partners to develop supplemental hunger relief and nutrition programs such as Fare For All and Mobile Foodshelf.
They also offer food shelves free delivery, and outreach and advocacy opportunities. Unlike some food banks, they do not charge membership or handling fees to their network of hunger relief programs. In 2012, they provided $9.5 million worth of food and services to their partners.
You can see all of our past grantees on our website
here.
Leech Lake Band Of Ojibwe Cass Lake, MN. $10,000.00 to purchase a van for homeless street outreach and homeless support services appointments.
Hope Coalition Red Wing, MN. $6,840.00 to purchase 8 mini-electric ranges and 8 mini-fridges to replace aging and inefficient appliances in individual efficiency apartments at "Haven of Hope", the domestic violence shelter.
St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) St. Louis Park, MN. $10,000.00 to purchase warehouse shelving to meet health standards for food on client shopping area, motorized pallet jack and a commercial freezer will improve STEP's operation and distribution of nutritious food to our clients in need.
People Reaching Out to Other People Eden Prairie, MN. $10,000.00 to improve and expand the refrigeration and storage capacity for food donations to better serve the hungry in our community.
Alexandra House, Inc. Blaine, MN. $8,399.00 to replace several pieces of commercial kitchen equipment that include: a convection oven/stove, garbage disposal, and freezer.
Voice Of East African Women, Inc. Minneapolis, MN. $9,686.00 to purchase: 10 bunk beds and bedding; 12 lockers; 4 televisions; 1 three compartment sink; 1 two compartment sink; and 1 hand sink and faucet.
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency / Ely Area Food Shelf Ely, MN. $5,753.00 to purchase shelves, food-safe work surfaces and items to make the building more accessible.
