With thousands of federal immigration officers in the Twin Cities during the seventh week of Operation Metro Surge, people are working to support community members whose daily lives have been upended.
Here’s how you can help your neighbors impacted by ICE. Please check with organizers for updates on the activities below.
Community food drives
- Who: This St. Paul fitness studio offers aerial and land-based classes, including sling, pilates and yoga.
- What: The St. Paul studio is hosting a food drive to support Open Market MN and Zion Community Commons. The drive is running indefinitely.* Organizers are asking for donations of nonperishable goods and are particularly in need of cooking oil, rice, beans, and mock duck, purchased from immigrant-owned businesses (not Target).
- Get involved or find out more: For questions or more information, please call 651-900-1636.
- Who: An evangelical church in Minneapolis.
- What: DHH Church is running a food drive and delivering boxes of food to families in need. Organizers are seeking unopened and unexpired items such as pantry items, dry and non-perishable items, vegetables, bread and sandwich items. Also, household items such as diapers, baby wipes, baby formula and toilet paper.
- Get involved or find out more: You can register to receive a food basket or sign up to volunteer here.
Food deliveries and volunteer opportunities
A number of food shelves are accepting donations and delivering to area residents in need of assistance.
Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA)
- Who: A nonprofit organization that provides west metro residents with employment and housing assistance, as well as food and mental health services.
- What: The ICA Food Shelf is delivering food to residents in Hopkins, Minnetonka, Excelsior, Shorewood, Deephaven, Greenwood and Woodland. Residents can receive two home deliveries per month. You can view the list of items available here. People can also pick up emergency food bags at the food shelf. The food bags contain milk, break and shelf stable foods.
- Get involved or find out more: People can call and make appointments for deliveries at 952-938-0729. Emergency bags pick up is at 11588 K-Tel Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343.
- Who: A nonprofit organization providing food, clothes and employment assistance to communities in Dakota County and surrounding areas.
- What: The organization is delivering food to residents in South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake and Lilydale. Priority is given to elderly and disabled residents.
- Get involved or find out more: Residents must register and call to request delivery service through its intake line at 651-455-5000.
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP)
- Who: VEAP describes itself as “the Twin Cities’ largest food pantry.
- What: The food pantry is packing and delivering food to folks who are sheltering at home in south Minneapolis, Richfield, Bloomington, and Edina. Additionally, the food pantry is providing rent and utilities assistance for community members.
- Get involved or find out more: Call 952-888-9616 to visit the food pantry, get care packs delivered, or ask about rent and utilities assistance. People can donate items for an emergency care pack or volunteer to pack or deliver care packs. For questions about donations and volunteer opportunities, please email info@veap.org.
Many food shelves are seeking volunteers to help distribute food. You can find your nearest food shelf here.
Restaurant food deliveries
A number of restaurants are offering free food deliveries to people affected by the presence of ICE.
- Who: A grocery store in Richfield, Minnesota.
- What: The market is offering free delivery for orders of $50 or more.
- Get involved or find out more: For questions or to place an order, please call 6128007272.
- Who: A Mexican meat market and grocery store.
- What: The store is offering free deliveries to customers. No minimum payment is required.
- Get involved or find out more: For questions or to place an order, please call 612-823-4400. Please check the store’s Facebook page for updates on hours and deliveries.
Food assistance for students and families
For students in Minneapolis or beyond who may not be attending school in person due to ICE actions, Minneapolis Public Schools has compiled a list of sites at which students and families can receive food assistance outside of the normal school day.
Fundraisers
- Andersen Middle School in Minneapolis: This fundraiser in support of students and families at Andersen Middle School in Minneapolis will help purchase essential items like food, toilet paper and laundry detergent.
- Saint Paul Public Schools: The Highland Middle School Parent Solidarity Network is organizing a fundraiser to support families in the St. Paul Public Schools community.
How to report sightings of ICE in your community
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is urging residents to help monitor ICE activity in the state. Community members can report sightings of ICE personnel or vehicles to COPAL’s helpline at 612-255-3112 or the Monarca Rapid Response Line at 612-441-2881.
You can also report ICE sightings and interactions to Sahan Journal via a form, or contact our immigration reporter, Katelyn Vue, on Signal @katelyn.18.
Jan. 27 update: The Fly Freak Studio food drive is now running indefinitely. Previously, the drive was set to end Jan. 28.
We want to hear from you. Do you know other ways Minnesota neighbors are helping each other? Please tell our community engagement manager Hannah Ihekoronye via email at hihekoronye@sahanjournal.com.
