Need help? Want to help? Twin Cities groups offer resources for folks hurt by riots

Twin Cities nonprofits, community organizations and churches are gathering donations and coordinating cleanup efforts in areas damaged by the rioting that has followed the death of George Floyd in police custody on Memorial Day.

Here are some resources for those looking to volunteer or who are in need of assistance. Scheduled events have been in flux, check the linked webpages for updates.

Donate food or other supplies:

• Nokomis Chiropractic and Wellness at 5313 Lyndale Ave. S. in Minneapolis is gathering donations Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

•The Coven is collecting nonperishable food, household and cleaning goods and other items this week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Aria, located at 105 N. 1st St., Minneapolis.

• Venn Brewing is collecting donations including nonperishable food, hygiene products, diapers and baby formula. The brewery at 3550 E. 46th St. in Minneapolis will accept donations from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon until 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• YWCA Minneapolis created a distribution hub for groceries, hygiene items and other supplies at 2121 E. Lake St., Minneapolis. People can pick up goods every Wednesday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the YWCA is collecting donations at the location on Tuesdays and Fridays during the same time frame. Volunteers are needed.

• Mixed Blood Theatre Company is offering a food pantry from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1501 S. 4th St., Minneapolis. People seeking food or supplies can stop by during those hours, and donations can also be made during that time. Those who would like to volunteer to help operate the pantry or deliver to locations in Cedar Riverside can sign up here.

• The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, which has a club a block from 38th and Chicago that has turned into a food distribution site, is accepting donations for food, toiletries and other items for Minneapolis families. To donate, contact Mark Graves at mgraves@bgc-tc.org or Tony Arnold at tarnold@bgc-tc.org. To volunteer to help, contact Molly Hemes mhemes@bgc-tc.org. Make a financial donation at their website.

• People & Pets Together is looking for donations to help south Minneapolis families feed and care for their pets. Pet food or cat litter can be left in the parking lot drop-box behind the People & Pets Together pet food shelf, at 3745 Bloomington Ave. in Minneapolis.

• Support the Cities is asking people to sign up as drivers to deliver supplies to those in need. More details available on their Facebook page.

• For those looking to get or give food, Hunger Solutions also offers a map of food shelf locations and hours across all of Minnesota.

• Community organizers have compiled more details on aid and events here.

Donate money:

• West Broadway Business and Area Coalition is partnering with the Northside Funders Group to gather donations for businesses in Minneapolis' Northside impacted by the uprising and by COVID-19.

• The Lake Street Council in Minneapolis is collecting donations to support small businesses and nonprofits that need to rebuild. Donations can be made on their website.

• In St. Paul, the Neighbors United Funding Collaborative is similarly raising money to help businesses rebuild.

• Another fundraiser for businesses in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood and other areas is being organized by the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation.

• The Asian Economic Development Association has created a GoFundMe account to help Asian American-owned businesses that were damaged during the unrest.

• African Economic Development Solutions has also created an account to raise money to support local African immigrant businesses.

• The Little Earth Residents Association is temporarily halting accepting food and supply donations due to the overwhelming response, but is accepting financial donations.

• Midtown Global Market is raising funds to repair damage and support small businesses in the community. People can get more details on donating here.

• The Longfellow Community Council is fundraising to support food banks, help businesses rebuild and boost safety such as installing outdoor lighting, removing graffiti and buying reflective vests for neighborhood walks.

Help clean up (people are encouraged to bring brooms, trash bags, work gloves and masks):

• Support the Cities has been assessing where clean up efforts are needed and sharing that information on its Facebook page.

Jessie Van Berkel • 651-925-5044