Transform Minnesota Message on Community Involvement
We consistently receive inquiries asking how individuals and faith communities can best support their local and neighboring communities. Those requests have skyrocketed over the past few months.
We are so grateful that thousands of Christians have responded with their time and material donations.
Now we encourage the Church and people of God to dig deeper...
The Church can put our weight, energy and finances towards established organizations that are actively engaged in addressing the root issues that created the current pain in our cities. Exercising a clear and loud voice to denounce racial injustice is critical for change, but sometimes the most helpful way to serve as a community heals, is to do so silently. …sometimes the most helpful way to serve as a community heals, is to do so silently.
If you’d like to make a single or regular donation to an organization that has historically been committed to meeting real needs in our community or partner long-term with an organization through sustained volunteer efforts, consider the following or similar organizations:
Housing Services
Food Services
Community Services
Employment Services
Youth Services
Educational Services
If you’d like to donate items or assemble volunteer groups for current service opportunities, please know that larger groups are difficult to place right now. Most organizations requesting volunteers need small groups or individuals who can commit to already defined roles. Please do not volunteer expecting to provide structure, new vision, or leadership. Below are recent requests for summer service opportunities and material donations. Please contact each location prior to arriving to confirm.
- Christ Church International is requesting items from this list.
- Source is requesting volunteers and material donations.
- Lift Up is requesting aid for hygiene care and food.
- Sanctuary Covenant Church is requesting food and monetary donations for outreach. Watch their FB page for live updates.
- St. Paul Fellowship Church is requesting assistance with transforming their parking lot, monetary support, and food distributions. Email Pastor Scott Ginn (scott.k.ginn@gmail.com) for more details.
- Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is welcoming food and hygiene donations.
- Twin Cities Aid Distribution updates live.
- Hunger Solutions updates live.
Canned goods and swept streets are tangible expressions of Minnesota’s collective care, but they don’t address the systemic issues contributing to the list of disproportionate inequities our Minnesota neighbors face. People created in the image of God are still facing significant barriers with regard to nutrition, physical and mental healthcare, education gaps, safe and affordable housing, transportation access, legal aid and counsel, immigration assistance, and hope and healing for those experiencing substance, domestic, and/or sexual abuse.
Jesus offered long-term attention to the needs of those he met. He visited and listened. He sat and ate with. He walked with. Jesus committed. As Christians, we have a biblical responsibility to commit to and love those who are hurting. Jesus committed. As Christians, we have a biblical responsibility to commit to and love those who are hurting.
- Pursue real needs. Avoid perceived needs.
- Seek out community and organization-led volunteer opportunities.
- Practice humility. Don’t assume you are needed in the ways you think you are necessary.
- Steer short-term energy toward sustained, committed, long-term efforts that build reciprocal partnerships, and promote racial and economic justice, healing, and harmony.
Now is the time for the Church to invest in our neighborhoods and surrounding communities through long-term commitments and relationships. Pray about where God will lead you!
