Even as a relative calm returns and the most damaged parts of Minneapolis and St. Paul begin repairs, necessities have been limited. Some areas have been rendered food deserts, particularly East Lake Street/Minnehaha, parts of Frogtown, and North Minneapolis no access to fresh food and daily living supplies. At first some pop-up food banks were overwhelmed with donations, but as the closures continue, so does the need for help. Food and supply drives continue to request donations in the heaviest hit neighborhoods, while restaurants are also jumping in to feed everyone in need of a meal.
Here is a list of locations to find or donate food in the Minneapolis area.
North Minneapolis
Recurring grocery pop-up store at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist church at 3859 Fremont Ave North. Drop off and pick up from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Sign up for drop offs through Sign Up Genius with what you can bring. Ten volunteers are also needed daily.
South Minneapolis
Drop off Monday through Friday at the Greater Friendship Baptist Church at 2600 East 38th Street in Minneapolis. Drop off begins at 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. Donation requests include: laundry soap, dish soap, bar soap, toilet paper, paper towels diapers, formula, water, nonperishable foods, reusable bags and boxes for transportation.
East Lake Street/Minnehaha Avenue
DuNord Distillery has become a hub for donations in the heart of the hardest hit area in Minneapolis. The nearby Target, Cub Foods, and Walgreens were destroyed. Use Sign Up Genius to let them know what you’ll be bringing for donation.
Midway
- The pop-up food bank Shay Cares on Lexington and Central Avenue continues to collect and serve the neighborhood at the heart of where the St. Paul fires were. found here.
- Dickerman Food Distribution is in need of volunteers who can translate English to Hmong, Spanish, Karen, and/or Somali. The center at 1753 University Avenue (near Fairview) is very low on supplies. In need of fresh produce, food, canned goods, diapers - especially sizes 5 and 6, baby Tylenol, vitamins, formula, and toilet paper. Drop is 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Meals for Those Displaced
Friends of Global Market is a nonprofit is looking to get meal kits delivered to those set up in temporary housing after the destruction around the East Lake Street area. $10 covers the cost of one prepared meal to those in need. Donate here.
Restaurants Donating Meals
Trio Plant Based Meals, this vegan restaurant on East Lake Street owned by Louis Hunter. His restaurant was founded after being charged with protesting his cousin Philando Castile’s killing by Falcon Height’s police. He only just reopened the restaurant for service from noon to 6 p.m. with a limited menu. Trio has also already given out over 300 bowls of food to anyone in need. Support Trio here.
House of Gristle, run by chef Jametta Raspberry has been prepping foods at the currently closed Public Kitchen in South Minneapolis. She and her crew of volunteers have been delivering sandwiches to protestors, feeding volunteers in North Minneapolis, and continuing to work to donation ready made meals to those in need. Donate through Cash App $houseofgristle.
Pimento Kitchen has shifted from being a fantastic spot on Eat Street for jerk chicken and rum to a relief organization. Donations of medical supplies, health and hygiene products, nonperishable food, hand sanitizer and more are still being accepted through 3 p.m. today, and the restaurant is looking for volunteers. Donations can be made via Venmo @pimentokitchen.
Cafe Racer has always hosted a free meal once a month for the community. This week the Columbian restaurant in Seward will be serving free food all week to those in need. Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To order a meal call (612) 208-1695. To make a donation and buy meals for those in need, visit here.
Hope Breakfast Bar has been hosting fee meals and pantry drives outside its West 7th location ever since the St. Paul School District teacher strike, which now feels like a lifetime ago. Free meals are being served today from 9 to 5 p.m. to anyone in need. According to a Facebook post the restaurant has fed people from all over including protestors, police, National Guard, reporters, the homeless, and those more privileged. The goal is to feed the entire community. To help them do this, donate through the website.
At Hai Hai, James Beard Nominated chef Christina Nguyen’s Northeast restaurant the chef and two friends have spent the past two days packing and donating meals to those in need. The restaurant re-opens for business today and for every meal purchased, another will be donated to BIPOC communities, protestors, and those affected by the destruction in the East Lake Street area. Order for pick up or delivery to participate.
Surly Brewing delayed the opening of its patio in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. The massive brewery has made the decision to re-open, but donate 100% of the brew hall’s profits to benefit organizations that addresses the issues above, from inequality to hunger to education. The organizations and dates are: Black Lives Matter (Tuesday, 6/9), Campaign Zero (Wednesday, 6/10), Minnesota Voice (Wednesday, 6/10), Juxtaposition Arts (Thursday, 6/11), Second Harvest Heartland (Thursday, 6/11), Brewing Change Collaborative (Friday, 6/12), Take Action MN (Friday, 6/12), We Love Lake Street (Saturday, 6/13), West Broadway and Business Area Coalition (Saturday, 6/13), and Neighbors United Funding Collaborative (Saturday, 6/13). Reservations must be made ahead.