What You Did!

I want to take a moment to share what has unfolded over the last couple of days, because it’s honestly been one of the most moving things I’ve ever witnessed.

We learned about a community that had been using every possible resource to support one another, and a community member reached out to share how we could help. When I brought that need here, you all stepped up immediately.

Donations started pouring in, and I was flooded with messages from people asking how they could help.

Once I received the community’s list, I started crunching numbers to see how far we could stretch the funds. I’ll be honest, I was a bit disheartened to see how quickly the money goes, and I worried we wouldn’t be able to support as many communities as I had hoped. I should have known better.

So we reached out to The Open Door to see if they had any donations that could help supplement the list. They were more than willing to step up on very short notice. The only challenge was that their pickup time overlapped with my son’s elementary school winter party, so I sent out a message to a few people who had offered to help, and they were more than happy to step in at a moment’s notice to go pick up the food.

Volunteers picked up 50 emergency food bags and brought them to another volunteer’s home. After the party, I went through everything and figured out exactly what we still needed to buy to supplement the donations you all had already provided, which just kept coming. Then a couple of friends and I went shopping.

After midnight, I posted a few items we couldn’t find in stores due to low stock and put out a late-night ask to see who could help pack bags at 10:30 a.m. the next morning. I know that was a big ask when most people were already in bed, but so many of you showed up anyway.

People poured through the door ready to help and with the remaining needed donations. Work that would have taken an entire day was finished in just a few hours. Because of you, we were able to load everything up and deliver food and essentials directly into the community using four vehicles.

There were tears, hugs, and endless thank-yous. I also received this message that I wanted to share with you:

“Please tell them that we will never forget this act of support and kindness to our community. Thank you, Minnesota. ”

After delivery, my family and I went back to reorganize for the next round of support. While doing that, I received messages from a family of seven who hasn’t been able to work or get food, and from a community we had previously helped with water access, asking for a few additional items.

We looked around and realized we already had so many of those things. We packed up an entire minivan full of food and essentials for the park and delivered two large food boxes directly to the family. None of that would have been possible without your donations.

I’m currently collaborating with a couple of other communities to determine their specific needs, and I’ll post those lists as soon as they’re available. My goal is to create a SignUpGenius with exactly what’s being requested so people can shop intentionally, though anything is always appreciated, then I will use any raised funds to fill any gaps. While food boxes are sometimes available from places like La Viña, I know that families often need very specific items that aren’t included.

All of this is to say, you are absolutely incredible.

I am in awe of how this community shows up for one another. I’m already receiving messages asking where and when people can help next, and it’s so powerful to see so many people simply looking for a way to support their neighbors. Every time I scroll through posts in this group, it feels like a beacon of hope.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I’ll share more information as soon as I have it.

- Taylor

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