Highlighting a few of our Favorite Organizations
PRISM
Food insecurity is an ongoing problem nationally and in Minnesota. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly 1 in 10 households in Minnesota experience food insecurity. That ratio has only grown since the pandemic began, and Minnesotans experienced a spike in unemployment.
PRISM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 by folks who were concerned about local hungry and homeless families. What started as a small, informal effort has since evolved into a strong, sustainable organization that is considered a leading provider of basic needs services in the northwest Twin Cities suburbs. Their mission is to provide social services and connections that empower people in our community to build healthy, stable lives.
Around the Thanksgiving holiday the pressure and stress around having large meals only becomes more difficult when someone is faced with food insecurity. Despite the pandemic, and the number of large family gatherings will be rather low this year, the comfort of a large hot meal could bring some much-needed feelings of normalcy to our lives.
PRISM works with multiple partners during this time of year to help create holiday food boxes that they can distribute to families who receive assistance from PRISM. PRISM's buying power with different food assistance organizations goes much further than what any one of us could purchase at our local grocery stores. A donation of $30 would supply a holiday food-themed meal that feeds a family of 6. Please consider giving to this impactful and important community organization this holiday season.
Here is there current project or find other ways to get involved at www.prismmpls.org
- By Craig Gottschalk
With your help, we can ensure more than 350 families in our community can maintain family traditions this holiday season. Donating is even easier this year, purchase off our registries here or give a monetary donation here! Learn more and get involved.
Greyhound Pets of America: MN chapter
Few things can bring families together like our canine friends. During the pandemic pet adoption has increased significantly. Something about a furry, floppy eared, and in my specific case, long nosed companion brings security comfort and joy during a time when things seem very uncertain.
My wife and I adopted a retired racing Greyhound a couple years back from Greyhound Pets of America, a Non-profit greyhound rescue and adoption agency. Greyhounds are super athletes capable of reaching speeds of 45 mph. For this reason, they make excellent racing dogs and train basically from the time they are born until the time they retire from the racetrack. For many years Greyhounds were disposed of once retired, typically due to injury or lack of performance. This was the status quo until 1987 when Greyhound Pets of America stepped in to advocate for greyhounds and prepare them for the transition from a regimented race life to a domesticated family life.
GPA (Greyhound Pets of America) does an excellent job of matching greyhounds to new families. They provide meet and greet opportunities, interviews to ensure a good fit and strong community support to help acclimate your newly retired grey. GPA holds several events throughout the year along with weekly greyhound walks in various cities. If you’re interested in finding out more feel free to check out gpa-mn.org for donations, available adoptions, and events.
You may Adopt, Donate, or Volunteer at Greyhound Pets of America Minnesota. www.gpa-mn.org
Wynthrope walker-rio III
By Jacob Perez
People Incorporated
A long-time client and trusted local organization, People Incorporated are an innovative community provider of vital integrated behavioral and mental health services in Minnesota.
This year has been a challenge for everyone and those living with mental health issues it is even more critical for the community to have great resources such as People’s. They provide programs, residents, and training.
They operate more than 60 programs including crisis residences, outpatient clinics, outreach to the homeless, residential treatment locations, case management, and in-home health services for adults, children, and families.
They want to continue to provide access to vital mental health services amid COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Therefore, many of our services are now offered through telemedicine. As always, we provide telephonic care navigation services to help guide you to the most appropriate care option. Learn more about telemedicine.
Helping people with mental illness requires great flexibility and creativity. That’s why we start with the person first—developing innovative, effective services that provide the care, resources, and connections that will help each person in the best way possible.
To get involved please visit www.peopleincorporated.org for ways to volunteer, give, and participate in various events and classes.