I had a lot of fun volunteering at second harvest. They are very organized. It's a lot of physical…read morework, but you get a lot done for a worthy cause. I've done two shifts so far and there are a few different projects depending on their needs. So it's not the same thing every time.

Awesome experience! A perfect venue for a fun team building session or networking event for large…read moregroups, while simultaneously providing a service for our community. Location was inconvenient for me as it was a 45 minute drive, but the friendly and helpful staff, combined with their large and beautiful facilities made it worthwhile. Second Harvest Heartland was easy to work with. Their online reservation system made it easy to see which time slots could accommodate us. We were even able to use their large meeting room space to host a 2 hour lunch and networking event prior to our volunteering session. The large room included 2 screens for projecting presentations from your laptop, sound system with microphone and a strong and free WiFi. All of this was of great value to our group! As one of the leaders of Asian Professionals Alliance in MN (APAM), we brought together 70 volunteers from across APAM member companies: 3M, Best Buy, Cargill, General Mills, Medtronic, Target & US Bank. Not only was this venue large enough to accommodate our large group, they were so organized, gave us great instruction and constantly kept the workplace clean, comfortable. They had 6 computers at the entrance for each individual to register for the event. Half of our group boxed care packages for senior citizens while the other half worked to inspect and package 40 pound bags of potatoes for food shelves across the country. My favorite part is that they share the results of your volunteer efforts at the end of your shift. I would absolutely recommend this place for volunteering sessions - for individuals, small groups and large groups!

VEAP provides an incredibly necessary community service. I go to VEAP once a month to get food and…read morethey provide "an abundance of groceries" absolutely free. Fish fillets, ground beef, fruits, vegetables, grains, bread, canned foods, frozen foods, sauces, pastries, butter, even sometimes toilet paper, paper towels and napkins. I'm not sure how they've managed to grow to become such an inspirational and clearly imperative service to the community but having been here in Minnesota for more than 20 years may explain it in part. It also requires dedicated and responsible volunteers that work with a smile for everyone that comes through the door. I'd give VEAP 10 Stars or more if I could. We get between 15 and 30 full, well balanced meals for 2 people every month! As an aside, I don't believe any of VEAP's policies could be considered overreach and if you use VEAP and are amazed at what you get for free and feel that VEAP makes you feel deserving and proud, take the time to leave a review!

The individual who assisted me was amazing. She understood my needs and assisted with just that. I…read morehighly recommend their services!

Sheridan Story is AWESOME...and just renamed themselves Every Meal. Now they aren't named after a…read moreschool that's named after an awful old dead white guy. If you volunteer here, you will likely stand by a table and put canned goods in a bag and then push the bag down the line. That's what we did for 2 hours, and it was fun and fast and upbeat! We were in a large warehouse and the garage doors were open bc it was warm. But had the doors been closed, I would have felt Covid safe bc of the size of the room and our ability to distance and of course we all had masks on. Every Meal gives food to kids all over the metro. It's totally cool. I took my teen and little one. You have to be 8 to volunteer here but I think a lot of 8 year olds would not have the endurance for a 2 hour shift.

Well Run! Everyone is professional, options are clearly laid out. Everything was so Clean!read more

Dropped off a box of food products I'd received from a client. Quick, easy, and lovely. Writing…read morethis took at least thrice as long as the entire donation process did. RECIPIENTS: The place is clearly well-attended with several individuals and families in the waiting area awaiting their turn in the three entries per 15-minute arrangement, though everyone is free to take as long as they prefer once in the pantry. The pantry itself is spacious with shelves lining the walls of a large room, bustling with activity from shoppers seeking healthy fare. A mobility bus even stopped right in front of the pantry and assisted elderly attendees to the vehicle. From my understanding, they also operate a mobile food pantry truck. DONORS: The shelves could definitely be fuller especially given the level of activity they clearly see, so feel free to drop by with some gifts! Donations are weighed after separating perishables from non-perishables. The weights are then recorded onto a donation receipt, with a copy handed to the donor to go on their merry way through a separate door - which you should look for upon arriving if you're dropping off food, unlike me who unknowingly waltzed into the main area instead. It's a seemingly little thing, but dignity matters a great deal and is among the first things to feel compromised when dealing with difficult times, and it might not feel that great relying on food pantries for some individuals, so I greatly appreciate The Open Door going that extra mile to keep their recipients' sense of comfort in mind. Well done, team. Due to the nature of the environment, I only took a photo of the front for ease of identification for anyone wanting to find it. It's in a low-key plaza sitting at the foundation level of an apartment building behind the high-end shopping center in the area. Google Maps took me for a little spin, so keep your eyes open!

After closing our lake cabin for the season we had way too many pantry items. I had never donated…read morehere before but very happy that I found a place that helps to end hunger locally (serving Dakota County). I will be back as the process was easy and fuss-free.

The Bloomington Lutheran Church is the site for once a month food pick up donations to stretch your…read morebudget You donate $25 per bundle in advance to get a time slot. Rubys Pantrycan be looked up on line for a site near you. They span several states and get food through corporate donors. It was well organized with traffic directors and people going to each car to check you in and put a post it on your windshield as to how many bundles you paid for. For $50. I got a trunk full of breads, milk, eggs, wraps, taco shells, whole grain bread,oranges, cookies, snack items, frappe mix, fresh tomatoes. Mashed potatoes. Potatoe salad, beef broth,yogurt bars, a jelly roll cake, whole grain bread and other items. Caring helpful volunteers who loaded cats. It was a humbling experience seeing people lined up for rows to be served.

Super easy to donate food. They have a dedicated door for food donations. Staff are welcoming and…read morefriendly. They offer lots of services beyond food such as clothing, housing help, etc.

From the owner: CROSS Services provides emergency and support services--food, clothing, housing assistance, and…read moremore--to people experiencing financial hardship. More than simply addressing immediate crises, CROSS is committed to working closely with families as they move toward long-term stability. CROSS serves several communities in northwestern Hennepin County, and works collaboratively with other organizations to provide wrap-around support for families in need. Hundreds of volunteers give thousands of hours to make it possible for CROSS to serve more than 14,000 individuals annually. An established non-profit with a forty-four year history of service in the community, CROSS Services responsibly stewards donations to maximize impact.

An exceptional place to donate, volunteer, come for services. With extended food shelf hours and…read moremany other services, it is a one stop location for families who need help meeting basic needs living in their service area. The awesome thrift store, Resale Select, is open to the public and definitely worth checking out no matter where you live!

If you end up sick don't expect them to see you through. What they used to do has so changed. I was…read moretold by financial manager that IOCP no longer has time to listen, to hear as before. I was told my records showed information not true. I asked to see it & was denied. I even offered to bring in my job acceptance letter, my complex management documentation & even bank statements & was refused. It compounded my situation. Such confusion. With George Floyd so many heard him, but no one applied empathy to their response that had the power. You can hear a cry out for help, but in your bias, perception it becomes just a noise. If you don't have time to listen you then cancel out what the heart can do. I came walking in with MST from the Army & triggered by a recent CID Army investigation. I had my dream job with the VA-EHRM project & then got Covid-19 early being in bed for months, only to find I transitioned into Post Covid-19 Syndrome. I went from running across US Airports to now it was excruciating to walk. Then I needed an eye lens implant and what before Covid-19 was so easy, now turned into complications. Then for almost 4 months I became near sighted blind. Not able to see anything close to me, nothing. No phones or computers, my job. I began to have bowel & urinary issues on top of all this. I never felt more alone & lost. In all this, I lost everything. Life had become "whack a mole". I had a precious Case Manager, but leadership changed. I was even slated for their employment services to help me work again & that worker was great also. Then told he left & program changes. I no longer would get the help as described, as promised. It was so sad with the culture changes at IOCP. In trying to make sense of the changes, the loss of services it was almost impossible in crises mode. Between the Army triggers, being hit with Covid-19 complications & MST PTS/ PTSD functioning was difficult in a time I needed someone to champion me. I couldn't find anyone. I asked questions, attempting to understand & find anyone to hear me and instead I made people angry & found those short of patience. In the Countries attempt to handle a huge influx of people in crises & budgets I had the door closed in my face. Now having lost my car insurance of 35 years & being in a city classified as car dependent, making it work has been critically challenging. Yet the Financial Services Manager told me I don't need a car with a sharp tone. I can do this, but the Mission Statement of IOCP has lost the exceptional hands on that it used to have from LaDonna. All people need is to be heard with empathy. People know when that happens. IOCP works at a high level only with so many falling through the cracks. People don't always like everyone but to share & spread biases & perceptions being cruel isn't right especially in Social Services it isn't right. It isn't right to shut doors when someone genuinely questions what is happening. Actually it is a red flag when especially a Social Service Agency can't be transparent. I worked 20 years in a Pediatric ER and patients were always asking to see records. A job or title doesn't give anyone the right to dismiss actually hearing someone. When you are in the fight of your life, how someone treats you, talks to you does matter. It can be a life or call.