How can we help?

Our Park Avenue community and the entire Twin Cities metro has been impacted by recent tragic events and everyone is asking how they can help.

The page will be updated as often as possible, but the fluidity of the situation in South Minneapolis and throughout the metro makes it difficult to be extremely timely. And please use good judgment and do not put yourself or family in dangerous situations. We will rebuild the community, but your life is not as easily rebuilt.

Park Avenue Community Tent Ministry & Food Distribution: Held the last Friday morning of each month in the parking lot of 3400 Park Avenue, Minneapolis MN  55407. Due to the recent unrest, our community is in need of emotional and spiritual support, along with medical and legal resources AND of course food and necessities. Our parking lot will become a tent ministry with bilingual experts to help as best they can in these areas, and offer prayer and comfort. Please share or attend as you can!

Donations are needed: email Linda Tate lindatate@parkavechurch.org to make arrangements that someone will be available to receive them.   

Please consider donating only the following food/essential items:
(THESE ARE ITEMS MOST ASKED FOR)

Food Essentials

Black Beans – Dried or Canned
Brown Lentils
Cooking Oil
Tomato Paste
Spaghetti Sauce
Pasta
Pinto Beans – Dried or Canned
Rice / Bags or Boxed
Tortillas
Soup

Other Essentials

Cleaning Supplies
Hand Sanitizer
Laundry Detergent
Shampoo
Body soap
Dishwashing Detergent
Feminine products (pads only)
Deodorant
Toothpaste

Thank you to all our co-sponsoring partner organizations for making this happen:
Iglesia Piedra Viva United Methodist Church
Messiah United Methodist Church
Brightside Produce
St. Mary’s Health Clinics
Volunteer Lawyers Network

 

“Breathe Love” Mural & Prayer Garden is now in place on our grounds. Come by and take your time to stand vigil, lament, pray, and breathe love. You will see the beautiful artwork on the northwest corner of the building, near the “exit” driveway.

Financial Community Donations  We are also taking Change For Change donations to continue funding our ongoing work in the community to help rebuild and heal. Give securely online here (select the Community Help/Change For Change designation) or contact Financial Secretary Arlette Hepp arlettehepp@parkavechurch.org to set up that gift if you are already using automatic giving. For other ways to submit your gift, click here.

Consider some of the ideas to combat systemic racism as discussed in this recent editorial … 


Here are some ongoing efforts and ways to help in South Minneapolis.

SISTERS CAMELOT FOOD SHARE is an organization we work with – they distribute free organic food and groceries in the inner city neighborhoods. They post their distribution schedule via their Facebook page and are always in need of donations to support their trucks, gas, and other expenses.

TWIN CITIES AID DISTRIBUTION has a great map with locations and opportunities here


WE LOVE LAKE STREET  The Lake Street Council (501c3) will donate 100% of donations directly to small businesses and nonprofits in the Lake Street community to help them rebuild their storefronts and serve our neighborhoods. Find out more here


Regarding the new food scarcity issue, FEEDING OUR SOULS  …


 


Rev. Curtiss DeYoung of the Minnesota Council of Churches has shared this opportunity to come alongside and help. Here’s his message …


“We are being asked for help by the Minnesota National Baptist Convention (Rev. Billy Russell, President). Rev. Jerry McAfee and Dr. Charvez Russell are coordinating relief efforts. Since the National Guard is getting the streets under control, the focus has turned to meeting the needs of people in the communities where the unrest has occurred.


Due to the destruction of local groceries, pharmacies, etc., folks in affected areas who are seniors, disabled, or lack transportation need help in obtaining what they need. So the Baptists are organizing a transportation network to pick up and deliver needed items.”


Here is how you can help:
1. A phone line system or app to help coordinate this. If you have someone with tech savvy who can help put together a system, this will make the process way more effective.
2. Volunteer drivers to do pickups and deliveries. This delivery work will be done in affected areas in North and South Minneapolis, and St. Paul.


Please coordinate all response to this request directly through Rev. Charvez Russell.


Use email: mnbaptistconvention@gmail.com or phone 612-743-6711.


Thank you for your support and continued prayers.