Leech Lake Band Of Ojibwe, Recent Grants and More!

Letter From the
Executive Director

They were the first to come to this land and today some of the poorest and most vulnerable Minnesotans live on Reservations. Essential community services and support – not to mention grocery stores and other essentials most of us take for granted - are often few and far between.

Homelessness is a chronic problem and last summer I visited an encampment on the Pow Wow grounds near Cass Lake on the Leech Lake Reservation. While these encampments seem to happen every summer, it has been particularly common in recent years and during my visit more than 100 men women, and children made these tents their home. So when word came that a shelter was opening near Bena we

were happy to help.

Because the reservation is so large with a lot of remote areas, transporting homeless people from an encampment to shelter, and for helping them access needed services in nearby communities, Open Your Heart purchased a van for their use.

The new Lyman ‘Dede’ Losh House, named after a dedicated tribal member who worked so hard to bring this about, has opened, giving hope and opportunity to

homeless people in the area. At Open Your Heart, we recognize the importance of safe and supportive shelter in rural areas and small towns. Without them, those who

become homeless usually must leave the communities they grew up in in order to receive basic services. But coming to the Twin Cities or Duluth, when home is somewhere else, doesn't make sense. Most who become homeless want to get back on their feet in their own communities where they have support.

The leaders of the Leech Lake Tribal Community have brought an invaluable service to those most in need.Thanks to all in their community and for the donors to Open Your Heart whose support provided much needed transportation.

Ed Murphy

Leech Lake Band Of Ojibwe
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The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is an Ojibwe band located in Minnesota and one of six making up the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

The goal of Leech Lake is to provide a response to an increasing homeless crisis on the Leech Lake reservation. Currently, the board is the Tribal Council, there are plans in the future for the homeless shelter to have it's own Board of Directors. It is their goal that by creating an emergency shelter with support services, they are able to decrease the number of people who may be subjected to health and safety issues while living outside. A building was identified in Bena and is currently under extensive construction rehabilitation.

You can see all of our past grantees on our website here.

The Salvation Army (Willmar) received $3,465.00 to purchase a larger commercial refrigerator, which would enhance their Mobile Outreach Meals and food distribution programs by significantly reducing food waste.

Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities received $10,000.00 to replace refrigeration and food service equipment for service to the homeless.

Fargo Moorhead Dorothy Day House of Hospitality received $10,000.00 to purchase two commercial kitchen standard refrigerator-freezer units.

CAPI USA received $5,500.00 to purchase an electric pallet jack and two loading carts for the Asian-specific food shelf that serves more than 2,000 individuals each month.

Pearl Crisis Center received $4,500.00 to purchase night stays at the hotel for victims of domestic violence and their children.

Stepping Stone Emergency Housing received $10,000.00 to purchase final installment of bunk beds and mattresses, and chairs for a large meeting room where AA, mental health, women's groups, and other guest-focused groups meet with volunteers.

Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf received $4,000.00 to purchase a new large freezer, toilet, vanity, sink for bathroom, and 10 shelving units for the storeroom.

Tri-County Action Program received $5,000.00 to sponsor Project Homeless Connect, a one day event for individuals and families who are homeless or near homelessness to connect with services and resources in the area in one place.

Masjid An-Nur received $2,000.00 to help us determine whether operating a community garden is feasible.

Bemidji Community Food Shelf received $3,000.00 to help provide an intern who would develop a business plan to ensure our FARM’s long-term sustainability; a horticultural consultant; and soil tests.

Pillsbury United Communities received $3,000.00 to conduct a feasibility study and determine whether it is possible to establish a garden on land adjacent to the Brian Coyle Center.

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Inc. received $3,000.00 to pay for a consultant to guide HQB through the process, assess feasibility, develop an implementation plan as well as pay for permits and staff time dedicated to the project.

Woodland Hills Church received $3,000.00 to cover meeting costs, site testing, permits, materials, and consultation to plan an onsite community garden at Woodland Hills Church in Maplewood, MN.

"We envision a Minnesota where every person is
free from hunger and homelessness."

In this issue...

"We envision a Minnesota where every person is free from hunger and homelessness."

In this issue...

"We envision a Minnesota where every person is
free from hunger and homelessness."