The 2020 holiday season is going to be difficult on many fronts. In addition to the “usual” problems of hunger, housing insecurity, and a lack of toys under the tree, this year adds a surging pandemic and its attendant health and economic crises.
- Today, one in eight Minnesotans are hungry, compared to one in eleven in 2019. Food distribution to those in need has almost doubled since the onset of the pandemic.
- Before the start of the pandemic, homelessness across Minnesota increased 10% between 2015 and 2018, to an average of 20,000 people on any given night. The impact from COVID-19 is expected to be catastrophic when the peacetime emergency order ends.
- All blood types are at dangerously low inventory levels. The need for donations has not only been impacted by the pandemic but also natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires.
The needs are everywhere, on all fronts. Surly Gives a Damn (SGAD), the non-profit community giving arm of Surly Brewing, is answering the call with 12 Days of Giving a Damn. Starting Dec. 1, SGAD is giving community members a chance to donate, volunteer and help meet the needs of our friends, family, and neighbors.
(It should go without saying, but all our charitable partners are following CDC guidelines for volunteers by masking, social distancing, temperature checks, etc. If you feel ill the day of the event, please stay home. If you have a problem with wearing a mask, please stay home and pout about it on Facebook.)
Tuesday, 12/1 — The Food Group Food Drive (runs all 31 days in Dec)
20% off at the Surly Company Store for food item donations made at participating local liquor stores. Look for the blue bins!
If you’d rather donate $$$ from the comfort of your own home, fundraising link here: www.givemn.org/Surly
Note from The Food Group: With the onset of the pandemic, need for emergency food continues at historically high levels. Lost jobs and wages, reduced access to free meals for kids, fear of shopping because of health concerns, and the loss of support networks all contribute to the increased need. Today, one in eight Minnesotans are hungry, compared to one in eleven in 2019. The Food Group has been distributing almost double the amount of food the past few months. We are currently distributing to a network of more than 200 food shelf and meal program partners reaching 30 counties in MN and Western WI. We are anticipating the peak need is yet to come this winter as federal and state support for low-income families decreases and as the utility prices in Minnesota increase.
Liquor store accounts and addresses:
France 44- 4351 France Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Zipps Liquor- 2618 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
South Lyndale- 5300 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Elevated Minneapolis- 4135 Hiawatha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Elevated White Bear Lake- 2141 4th St, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Central Avenue Liquors- 2538 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Stinson W&S- 2315 18th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Liquor Boy- 5620 Cedar Lake Rd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Morelli’s- 535 Tedesco St, St Paul, MN 55130
East Lake Liquors– 3916 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
MGM Saint Louis Park- 8100 MN-7, St Louis Park, MN 55426
Brooklyn Center Muni 1- 1350 Shingle Creek Crossing, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
Brooklyn Center Muni 2- 6930 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
Apple Valley Muni 1– 7525 148th St W, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Apple Valley Muni 2- 14261 Essex Ave, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Apple Valley Muni 3- 5470 157th St W, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Robbinsdale Muni- 3501 Bottineau Blvd, Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Tuesday, 12/8 — The Food Group Pack & Sort
Food Pack & Sort, eight volunteers needed (spaced, masked, etc.)
4 pm – 6 pm, The Food Group in New Hope (8501 54th Ave N, New Hope, MN 55428)
Wednesday, 12/9 – Bridging Dresser Build
6-8:30pm, Roseville Bridging location (1730 Terrace Drive Roseville, MN 55113), 25 volunteers needed
Tuesday, 12/15 – Toys for Tots Toy Sort
2-4pm, 767 Eustis Street St Paul, MN 55114, 30 volunteers needed
Wednesday, 12/16 Bridging Dresser Build
6-8:30pm, Roseville Bridging location (1730 Terrace Drive Roseville, MN 55113), 25 volunteers needed
Friday, 12/18 — Loaves & Fishes Lunch Service & Clean Up
11:30am – 2:00pm, Brooklyn United Methodist Church, 7200 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Center, MN 55429. Five volunteers needed.
Monday, 12/21 — Toys for Tots Toy Sort
2-4pm, 767 Eustis Street St Paul, MN 55114, 30 volunteers needed
Tuesday, 12/22 — The Open Door Mobile Food Pantry Distribution
2:45- 6:15pm, Metcalf Middle School 2250 Diffley Rd, Burnsville, MN 55337. 15 volunteers needed.
Sunday, 12/27 — Memorial Blood Center Blood Drive
11-6pm, goal of 66 pints!
Tuesday, 12/29 — Open Arms Meal Delivery
10:30am-1pm, 2500 Bloomington Avenue, South Minneapolis, MN 55404. 10 volunteers needed, each one needs their own car.
