In July we began an initiative we called the Southside Supply Drive to provide consistent and critical supplies to families in South Minneapolis whose lives were disrupted by the pandemic and the uprising following the death of George Floyd.
Since then, we have held two drives to collect diapers and other infant needs, and we made two deliveries to Holy Trinity Lutheran’s distribution center and one to Community Emergency Service, for a total of nearly 19,000 diapers and pull-ups, plus numerous packages of baby wipes and formula! NHLC members have stepped up in a big way to ensure that our neighbors have what they need! Thank you!
This month, we are turning our attention to another one of our partners in ministry–Our Saviour’s Housing.
For many years, we have supported the homeless shelter at Our Saviour’s by serving meals and by collecting items for holiday gift baskets during Advent. Since the beginning of the pandemic, our usual efforts on behalf of the shelter have been curtailed. Shelter residents have been living in a hotel in Bloomington. But the staff at Our Saviour’s continues to work on behalf of those without permanent housing, and they can use our help.
Right now, they are in need of 10 “housing essentials” kits for residents who are moving from the shelter into transitional housing. We have committed to completing those 10 kits and delivering them to Our Saviour’s by the end of October. Each kit contains items like a broom and dustpan, mop, shower curtain, cleaning supplies, waste basket, and other essential household items. The entire list can be found in the registry (see details below). Purchases need to be made and delivered to church by 10/23.
Here’s how you can participate:
BUY ITEMS THROUGH TARGET REGISTRY
In order to facilitate our gift, we have set up a registry at Target. You can make your purchase through the registry and have the items shipped to the church, where we will assemble the kits and deliver them. Many of the items on the registry are shipped free with a $35 purchase. However, some items are not available for shipping (this is noted in the registry). If you choose one of those items, you will need to go to the store to pick up the item and deliver it to church. If you do pick up items on your own, please make sure they are entered into the registry, so our count is kept up-to-date.
DONATE MONEY
If you would rather just make a financial gift, you may do so online. The money will be used to purchase any leftover items and fulfill any other requests we might receive from the shelter or other partners in ministry here on the Southside. Please be generous in your giving! To make a donation, click the link below and select Southside Supply Drive from the dropdown menu to make your donation. (If you have already set up a Give+ account, sign in in the upper right hand corner.)
VOLUNTEER TO ASSEMBLE THE KITS AND DELIVER THE KITS
We are looking for volunteers to to assemble the kits and deliver them to Our Saviour’s. This will be done after 10/23. Marian Blattner is coordinating this part of our drive. Please contact her for further information.
