Bringing food and hope to communities affected by the unrest

We are working hard with our partners to bring food and hope to children and families in communities affected by the unrest over the past week. As a result of looted and burned grocery stores, the community quickly came together on Sunday, May 31st to donate food and supplies for children and families for those who need it most.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AT ITS BEST

The response was overwhelming! The original call was for 85 kits for kids from Sanford Middle School living in the 3-block radius of the 3rd precinct. It came from a school parent and quickly went viral on social media. This is when the school turned to The Sheridan Story to help manage the anticipated influx in donations. We were able to provide the trucks, pallets, and volunteers needed to get the supplies into the hands of those who need it most. By the end of the day, our Minnesota community responded with truckloads of donations.

Lines of cars quickly formed in the morning bringing in piles of donations.

Donations filled all areas around the school.

Volunteers and community members sorted through the donations, separating and grouping items into different categories.

Amidst the influx of donations, organization and processes were formed to manage the drop-off and sorting of items.

We brought boxes of our food bags as well.

More food donations kept coming in throughout the day, even as operations shifted to allow people in need to pick up food.

Pole by Sanford Middle School full of notes of hope and love.

Note from a 6-year-old child with a very sweet message.

Throughout the day, it was more than evident that the donations would go beyond the kids from Sanford Middle School and Longfellow neighborhood. Food donations were sent to Cedar-Riverside, Little Earth, Midway, and other areas. The extra donations not picked up were sent to us and other community partners. These donations have continued to be distributed to children and families most in need in the days following this event.

THE RESULTS

This was one of the biggest food drives we’ve ever seen… and perhaps one of the largest-ever in Minnesota. In less than a day, we estimate that over 2,000 families were served. Our amazing community came together, some waiting in line approximately 14 blocks long, to provide a total of about 18 semi-trucks of food. Of these:

• • 3 semi-trucks of food were distributed to families the day of the food drive
  • 4 semi-trucks of perishable food went to our friends at Loaves and Fishes and Minneapolis Public Schools Culinary and Wellness Services
  • 4 semi-trucks of non-perishable food went to us
  • 7 semi-trucks have been re-routed to additional collection and distribution points throughout Minneapolis

GET INVOLVED NOW

We know the need will go beyond one day. And we are in this for the long haul. We continue to work with our partners and adapt to the needs so that children and families have a source of food they can rely on as the community heals. The calls for help are still loud and clear.

DONATE FOOD: All of the donations we receive will be re-distributed to our community partners in neighborhoods across the metro as quickly as possible.

Urgent  Food Collection on Saturday, June 6 from 10 am to 2 pm 

Pop-up Food Collection on weekdays from 10 am to 2 pm

Invite your family, neighbors, friends, or coworkers to bring donated food and other essential items to our warehouse.

• • Where: 2723 Patton Road, Roseville, MN 55113
  • What: Non-perishable canned food, rice, pasta, diapers, wipes, feminine hygiene items, and baby formula
  • How: Follow the food donation signs and you’ll be able to drop off items in tents we’ve set up in our parking lot.

DONATE MONEY: Help by donating financially. Your monetary gift will help us adapt to the changing needs long-term as we continue fighting child hunger through this unrest and the pandemic.

THANK YOU for showing the positive power of what our community can do together!