Community Connections- How You Can Help!
Here are some ways you can help those around you. We will continue to add to this list, but here are some things to start with:
Update March 27
1. Donation Items Needed for Life House, that provides essential services for at risk youth. Contact Amber Sadowski, parishioner and Development Director of Life House to arrange for pick up of donations; amber.sadowski@life-house.org
a. “Dinner in a Bag” Kits - these are like the ones we have prepared for them on our Wednesday Service Project nights
Description: Include a simple recipe paired with non-perishable food items. Including pop-top cans or a can opener is helpful. Place in a labeled bag (paper, plastic or reusable is fine).
Examples:
Chicken Alfredo Ingredients: 1 lb. Pasta, 1 Jar Alfredo, 1 Can Chicken, 1 Can Peaches, 1 Can Green Beans Directions: Cook noodles according to package instructions. Mix with canned chicken and alfredo sauce. Serve with side of canned green beans & canned peaches.
Breakfast for Supper Ingredients: 1 box just add water pancake mix, 1 syrup, 1 Jar Peanut Butter, 1 can fruit Directions: Make pancakes according to directions on box. Serve with syrup and peanut butter for added protein. Fruit on the side.
b. Laundry Love Kits*
Description: $10.00, 2 Detergent pods, and a dryer sheet will allow youth to wash & dry two loads of laundry at most laundry mats. Donate a kit or any of the items separately.
*Normally we provide laundry services to our youth, but have had to suspend this service due to Covid-19.
c. Basic Needs Items
Description/Items Needed: Diapers (including larger sizes), baby wipes, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant (men/women), body wash, lotion, hand sanitizer (small), toothpaste/toothbrushes, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, underwear (men/women), socks (larger sizes).
2. OUTDOOR GEAR: One of the safer places for people to be while homeless in a pandemic is outside in a tent. When the warming center closes April 1 there will be dozens of people needing temporary shelter. Needs:
Tents
Sleeping bags
Tarps
Rain gear
Used is ok, as long as it has all parts and is clean. Chum and Loaves & Fishes will coordinate on distribution, with a priority for people with health conditions and over 50. Donations can be brought to Chum (102 W 2nd St) or Dorothy Day House (1712 Jefferson St).
3. POSTPONED Our neighbors at Loaves and Fishes had their kitchen renovations postponed now so meals are not needed at this time. We will repost the sign up genius when they need more meals. Loaves and Fishes – is in need of cash donations to cover their daily expenses, but do not have an online payment method, you can mail a check made out to In addition, they are looking for in-kind donations of:-Tents, backpacks, tarps and sleeping bags (used is ok but clean), Masks- new or sewn ones, nitrile gloves, hand sanitizer, bleach, laundry detergent, dish detergent. Food is not on their list.
4. CHUM – They are no longer asking for food and cleaning supply donations. They are asking for cash. There’s a donation link on their web site https://www.chumduluth.org/ March Food Share for our CHUM Food Shelf is still going on, please consider donating online.
5. If you sew, our local hospitals are in need of fabric mask covers they can put over the N95 masks so they can be reused. We have posted a simple pattern here and on our FB page. Hannah Johnson Fabrics has a pattern, instructions, how you can get elastic and drop off instructions. Joann Fabrics also has free kits available for curb side pickup. There is a simpler pleated pattern that can be found here that is used for patients, community members at Loaves and Fishes etc to protect workers from being exposed to droplets, sneezes... If you need elastic, let Sue know, she ordered some and can share.
6. The Warming Center at Gloria Dei needs healthy breakfast food and travel sized toiletries, they can be brought to Gloria Dei between 8-9pm or 6-8am. Please knock at the door and a staff member will meet you outside. They also need volunteers to take the blankets used each night and launder them either in your home or at a laundromat.
7. The families at Steve O' Neil Apartments are in need of diapers (any size) and baby wipes. To donate call Amy at 218-940-2093.
8. Remember that grocery stores and Target are reserving their first hour of business for the elderly, those immunocompromised and healthcare workers and emergency responders.
9. it’s important to get outside and get some fresh air during the day. Take a walk around your neighborhood and think of who is in the houses around you; is there an elderly person who could use a few groceries the next time you pick some up? Or someone who could use a phone call to ease their isolation?
10. As we care for our neighbors, remember to take time to care for yourself too. Be sure to check out our Tips for Staying Healthy page. Reach out to us if you need someone to talk to or if there is anything we can do to care for you.
1. Donation Items Needed for Life House, that provides essential services for at risk youth. Contact Amber Sadowski, parishioner and Development Director of Life House to arrange for pick up of donations; amber.sadowski@life-house.org
a. “Dinner in a Bag” Kits - these are like the ones we have prepared for them on our Wednesday Service Project nights
Description: Include a simple recipe paired with non-perishable food items. Including pop-top cans or a can opener is helpful. Place in a labeled bag (paper, plastic or reusable is fine).
Examples:
Chicken Alfredo Ingredients: 1 lb. Pasta, 1 Jar Alfredo, 1 Can Chicken, 1 Can Peaches, 1 Can Green Beans Directions: Cook noodles according to package instructions. Mix with canned chicken and alfredo sauce. Serve with side of canned green beans & canned peaches.
Breakfast for Supper Ingredients: 1 box just add water pancake mix, 1 syrup, 1 Jar Peanut Butter, 1 can fruit Directions: Make pancakes according to directions on box. Serve with syrup and peanut butter for added protein. Fruit on the side.
b. Laundry Love Kits*
Description: $10.00, 2 Detergent pods, and a dryer sheet will allow youth to wash & dry two loads of laundry at most laundry mats. Donate a kit or any of the items separately.
*Normally we provide laundry services to our youth, but have had to suspend this service due to Covid-19.
c. Basic Needs Items
Description/Items Needed: Diapers (including larger sizes), baby wipes, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant (men/women), body wash, lotion, hand sanitizer (small), toothpaste/toothbrushes, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, underwear (men/women), socks (larger sizes).
2. OUTDOOR GEAR: One of the safer places for people to be while homeless in a pandemic is outside in a tent. When the warming center closes April 1 there will be dozens of people needing temporary shelter. Needs:
Tents
Sleeping bags
Tarps
Rain gear
Used is ok, as long as it has all parts and is clean. Chum and Loaves & Fishes will coordinate on distribution, with a priority for people with health conditions and over 50. Donations can be brought to Chum (102 W 2nd St) or Dorothy Day House (1712 Jefferson St).
3. POSTPONED Our neighbors at Loaves and Fishes had their kitchen renovations postponed now so meals are not needed at this time. We will repost the sign up genius when they need more meals. Loaves and Fishes – is in need of cash donations to cover their daily expenses, but do not have an online payment method, you can mail a check made out to In addition, they are looking for in-kind donations of:-Tents, backpacks, tarps and sleeping bags (used is ok but clean), Masks- new or sewn ones, nitrile gloves, hand sanitizer, bleach, laundry detergent, dish detergent. Food is not on their list.
4. CHUM – They are no longer asking for food and cleaning supply donations. They are asking for cash. There’s a donation link on their web site https://www.chumduluth.org/ March Food Share for our CHUM Food Shelf is still going on, please consider donating online.
5. If you sew, our local hospitals are in need of fabric mask covers they can put over the N95 masks so they can be reused. We have posted a simple pattern here and on our FB page. Hannah Johnson Fabrics has a pattern, instructions, how you can get elastic and drop off instructions. Joann Fabrics also has free kits available for curb side pickup. There is a simpler pleated pattern that can be found here that is used for patients, community members at Loaves and Fishes etc to protect workers from being exposed to droplets, sneezes... If you need elastic, let Sue know, she ordered some and can share.
6. The Warming Center at Gloria Dei needs healthy breakfast food and travel sized toiletries, they can be brought to Gloria Dei between 8-9pm or 6-8am. Please knock at the door and a staff member will meet you outside. They also need volunteers to take the blankets used each night and launder them either in your home or at a laundromat.
7. The families at Steve O' Neil Apartments are in need of diapers (any size) and baby wipes. To donate call Amy at 218-940-2093.
8. Remember that grocery stores and Target are reserving their first hour of business for the elderly, those immunocompromised and healthcare workers and emergency responders.
9. it’s important to get outside and get some fresh air during the day. Take a walk around your neighborhood and think of who is in the houses around you; is there an elderly person who could use a few groceries the next time you pick some up? Or someone who could use a phone call to ease their isolation?
10. As we care for our neighbors, remember to take time to care for yourself too. Be sure to check out our Tips for Staying Healthy page. Reach out to us if you need someone to talk to or if there is anything we can do to care for you.
