Does your family want to help support the people of Ukraine? Knowing where to start and how to help can feel overwhelming. At Doing Good Together we like to promote hands-on ways to help but sometimes donating cash will help provide the best resources for those in need. This is one of those times. CharityWatch and Charity Navigator have put together lists of top-rated charities providing assistance to Ukraine. Other reputable organizations include UNICEF, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the International Rescue Committee. Want to provide your children with a more hands-on way to help? Consider hosting a family fundraiser to raise money for your cause – or share a portion of your family's charitable giving funds. Let's help make a difference together!
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Flavors of our Community Pantry Packs
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Date/Time: Pantry packs can be donated now through April 9. Please note that April 9 is the last day donations can be accepted.
Location(s): Completed packs can be dropped off at the following locations:
Southdale Library – 7001 York Ave S, Edina
- Saturday, April 9: 10am – 2pm
Northtown Library – 711 County Hwy 10 NE, Blaine
- Saturday, March 26: 10am – 2pm
Ridgedale Library – 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka
- Tuesday, March 29: 3 – 6pm
Bremer Bank open drop-off times – A collection box will be placed inside the lobby of the following branch locations during open business hours, 9am – 5pm, Monday, March 7 – Friday, April 8
- Eagan location: 1995 RahnCliff Court, Eagan
- Roseville location: 1715 County Road B2 West, Roseville
- Brooklyn Center location: 5540 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center
- Lake Elmo (Bremer Service Center): 8555 Eagle Point Blvd
Ages: Everyone can help
Time Commitment: Varies
Volunteer at home to assemble culturally-specific pantry packs for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Our community is home to many cultures with a variety of meaningful foods and flavors. It is important that our neighbors experiencing food insecurity have access to foods and spices that are familiar and significant to their culture. Here’s how your family can help:
- Choose which Flavors of Our Community Packs you would like to assemble.
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Sign up with the pack type(s), quantity, and your preferred drop-off location. This will help our team better prepare for donation drop-offs.
- Purchase the items for your packs. Please include all listed items to ensure families receive complete packs.
- Assemble your packs by placing all items into the type of bag listed on the supply list.
- Drop-off completed packs at the location you selected during signup.
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Donate a Meal
Stepping Stone Emergency Housing
Date/Time: Lunch is served from 12 – 1pm, and dinner is served from 4:45 – 5:45pm. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes before mealtime begins so we can get everything set up and ready to go.
Location: 3300 4th Avenue North, Cronin Building #14, Anoka. Please call Tammy at 763.528.0380 when you arrive.
Ages: Everyone can help
Time Commitment: Varies
The mission of Stepping Stone Emergency Housing is to provide emergency shelter and critical support services to individuals 18 and older experiencing homelessness while striving toward self-sufficiency. We are looking for groups (at this time, only 3 people maximum are allowed in the shelter as a group) to cook a meal off-site in a licensed community kitchen, or you may cook purchased retail foods on-site (must be unopened and labeled) and serve a fresh cooked meal! Volunteers will be preparing food for 30 people.
We are not licensed to cook from scratch, so here are some options:
- Cook a meal off-site in a licensed community kitchen (church, event center).
- Cook purchased retail foods on-site, but they must be unopened and labeled (Take and Bake Lasagna, Costco, Simek's).
- Bring food from a restaurant. (Pizza Ranch in Andover offers a discount if you mention us.)
- Sandwiches to be prepared at the shelter if you bring the "fixings."
We provide the plates, utensils, beverages, and clean-up. In the interest of respecting all our residents' needs, we ask that you refrain from pork products of any kind. Please note, masks must be worn at all times inside the shelter.
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Family-Friendly Environmental Events
Great River Greening
Date/Time(s): There are three family-friendly events in April:
- Thursday, April 21, 6 – 8pm (buckthorn clearing)
- Saturday, April 23, 9am – noon (tree planting)
- Saturday, April 30, 9am – noon (buckthorn clearing)
Location(s):
- April 21, River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Road, Faribault
- April 23, 1855 County Road 110 N, Minnetrista
- April 30, River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Road, Faribault
Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to participate
Time Commitment: Two to three hours
Great Riven Greening holds volunteer events for individuals, families, and groups to get outside and restore Minnesota’s natural areas by removing invasive plants or planting native species. Restoration projects take place throughout the Twin Cities metro area and beyond. In April, there will be two buckthorn clearing restoration events at River Bend Nature Center. Buckthorn is a dense shrub that can overtake a forest floor very quickly and out-compete native foliage. The management of invasive species, accomplished by dedicated volunteers, helps to enhance and protect the dwarf trout lily habitat, the surrounding big woods habitat, and increase biodiversity. We will also be hosting a tree planting event in celebration of Earth Day. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary; we will provide the tools and training required. We will have light snacks and extra water available, however, please bring your own reusable water bottle and any additional snacks or lunch items you may need.
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Annual River Gorge Earth Day Cleanup
Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR)
Date/Time: Saturday, April 23, 9:30am - noon
Location: West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street in Minneapolis
Ages: Everyone can participate
Time Commitment: Up to two and one-half hours
This family-friendly Earth Day tradition provides an excellent opportunity to get outside and work together to help improve this treasured area. Taking place just off of West River Parkway, this cleanup is an Earth Day tradition in the Minneapolis River Gorge. People come from throughout the local river corridor, neighborhoods and metro area to celebrate Earth Day and contribute to the health and vitality of the Mississippi River. After two years of virtual and limited space cleanups, we are happy to be planning an event that will hopefully be more similar to our pre-pandemic cleanups, though with safety measures in place, of course. This is a family-friendly event providing an excellent opportunity to get outside and work together to help improve this treasured area. We've returned to this site year after year and have noticed a dramatic improvement to the area thanks to dedicated volunteers like you! Our two locations for this cleanup are paved parking lots, easy access to paved and unpaved trails. Volunteers are encouraged to spread out and work wherever they feel comfortable. Paths are shared by walkers and bikers, but it is possible for volunteers to spend their entire cleanup on flat, paved trails. We hope to see you in the River Gorge this spring! We will encourage wearing a mask while signing in, and while in close proximity to other volunteers. We will encourage social distancing while we work. We're watching the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines closely. If plans change based on their recommendations, FMR Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Sophie Downey will email registrants with event updates.
Contact: Sophie Downey, sdowney@fmr.org or 651.222.2193 x27. To participate, simply show up at 9:30 a.m. at either location (E 36th St & W River Parkway or E 44th St & W River Parkway) to sign in with FMR staff. We'll provide all of the supplies; however, if you have your own gloves feel free to bring them along. Sturdy shoes are strongly suggested as well as dressing in layers for the weather.
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Do it Yourself Earth Day
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB)
Date/Time: Saturday, April 23, 9am - noon
Location: This year’s cleanup will take place throughout the City of Minneapolis. Check the Earth Day Cleanup page for updates.
Ages: Everyone can help
Time Commitment: Varies
Join MPRB for our annual Earth Day Cleanup. It’s free to participate and everyone is encouraged to help by volunteering to help pick up trash in parks, neighborhoods, and watersheds. No registration is needed, just follow these easy steps below.
Your DIY Earth Day Cleanup:
Here’s how to participate:
- Participate in a Do-It-Yourself or “DIY” Style and use a trash bag from home or pick up bags and gloves at Earth Day sites on April 23 from 9:30am - noon.
- Head to a nearby park or trail and pick up trash you see, while getting fresh air and exercise! Or choose one of the listed Earth Day sites and pick up trash and leave it on-site to be weighed and counted towards our 2022 Earth Day total!
- Practice social distancing and other current COVID-19 guidelines. Learn more at www.minneapolisparks.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/
- Share pictures of your trash haul on our Facebook page – at @MPLSEarthDay – use hash tag #mplsDIYEarthDay
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Help Stock our Food Shelves!
Clare Housing
Date/Time: Drop off donations Monday through Wednesday 8am - 2pm. Donations cannot be accepted outside of this schedule.
Location: 929 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis
Ages: Everyone can help; suitable for families
Time Commitment: Varies
Many people living in our affordable-housing units have a tough time meeting all of their basic needs. Sometimes they are forced to decide between paying for rent, food, or medical costs. By stocking our small emergency food shelves, you are giving our residents a crucial source of nutrition and comfort when money runs short. We need healthy, nonperishable food items such as:
- Canned meals (ravioli, chili, pork and beans, chow mein)
- Meats, fish and protein – canned tuna, ham or chicken, beef stew, chili, peanut butter, canned/dried beans
- Hearty soups and stews
- Fruits & vegetables – 100% fruit juice, canned fruits and vegetables, instant potatoes
- Complete meals – pasta & canned sauce, boxed meals, hearty soups
- Grains – cereal, rice
- Microwaveable instant oatmeal
- Pancake mix (mix-with-water) and syrup
- Instant macaroni and cheese that does not require butter and milk
- Special diet foods – gluten-free, low-sugar, low-sodium
- Cleaning supplies – laundry detergent, paper towels, kitchen and bathroom cleaners
For food safety reasons, personal care items and cleaning supplies need to be kept separate from food items. To make room for more healthy food on our shelves, we do not accept donations of candy or soda. Face masks are required when entering our buildings.
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Family-Friendly Donation Drive
HOPE 4 Youth
Date/Time: The Donation Center accepts drop-offs on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am to noon. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept donations outside of these hours.
Location: The Donation Center is located at 2665 4th Avenue North, Anoka. Park off of Pleasant Street. Look for the HOPE 4 Youth sign by the wooden ramp.
Ages: Everyone can help
Time Commitment: Varies
HOPE 4 Youth is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide pathways to end youth homelessness. Our name is an acronym for our core services: Housing, Outreach, Prevention, Education and Employment. We serve youth ages 16 – 24 who are at risk of losing their home or who are already experiencing homelessness. Your family can help by hosting a donation drive for HOPE 4 Youth. This is a great opportunity to volunteer and give back to your local community.
While we appreciate your support, we cannot accept:
- Clothing with tears or stains
- Opened or used personal care items
- Perishable food; home-canned, baked, or processed food
- Bulk food in large containers
- Bedding
- Furniture
- Hand-knit items
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Donate Children’s Clothing by Mail
Giving Factory Direct by Cradles to Crayons
Date/Time: Year-round
Location: Once you are registered, you will receive a pre-paid UPS shipping label to ship your KidPack directly to a child who needs it.
Ages: Everyone can participate
Time Commitment: Varies
Giving Factory Direct is an innovative, new clothing donation program that allows you and your family to directly support children facing clothing insecurity in our communities! Giving Factory Direct easily matches you with a child in our communities so you can donate high-quality, gently used clothing from the comfort of your own home. When you sign up with Giving Factory Direct, you are helping to meet a child’s immediate needs. Giving Factory Direct matches you with a child experiencing clothing insecurity and provides a pre-paid UPS shipping label so you can ship clothing directly to a child who needs it.
How It Works: Create an account to let us know what size and gender of clothing you'd like to give, and you will be matched with a child at one of our verified nonprofit partners within 30 days (typically much sooner!). Giving Factory Direct serves children ages 0-12 living in homeless or low-income situations and accepts new or gently-used clothing in sizes newborn to adult medium. When donating, please use Group Code DGT2022
All KidPacks must be seasonally appropriate and include:
- Sizes 0–24 months: 2-4 tops/onesies, 2-4 bottoms, 1 pair of pajamas, 1 sweater/sweatshirt
- Sizes 2T – 18/20: 2-4 tops, 2 bottoms, 1 sweater/sweatshirt
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Walk MS Volunteers
Walk MS: Twin Cities 2022
Date/Time: Sunday, May 1. The site opens at 7:30am and the walk starts at 9:30am
Location: Minnehaha Falls Park, 4801 S. Minnehaha Drive, Minneapolis
Ages: Families with children are welcome to either volunteer or to walk.
Time Commitment: Varies, depending on activity
Walk MS brings together passionate people from communities across the country to change the world for people affected by multiple sclerosis. Together, we drive progress to achieve our vision of a world free of MS. Each year, thousands of people across the country join the Walk MS volunteer team. From planning event details and stuffing packets to cheering at the Finish Line, Walk MS would not be possible without volunteers. Your family can help in a number of different ways, such as cheering on participants, handing out t-shirts, water or helping at the food and beverage tent. Or you can make a difference by signing up as a family and walking on walk day! Learn more here.
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Food Packing
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)
Date/Time: Multiple dates and times, see website for details
Location: FMSC has MN packing locations in Chanhassen, Coon Rapids, and Eagan
Ages: Families with children as young as five may participate.
Time Commitment: Two-hour shifts
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian nonprofit that provides nutritionally complete meals that are specifically formulated for malnourished children. FMSC offers volunteers a one-of-a-kind experience. Volunteers hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets and shipped to our incredible partners working hard to reach the neediest children around the world. Through volunteering at FMSC, volunteers get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in just two hours per packing shift. You’ll experience what it’s like to make a tangible difference—today. Please review the COVID-19 volunteer updates before you register for your shift. Masks are not required but are strongly encouraged.
Contact: Registration is available online. For questions about volunteering or about registering to volunteer, please refer to the FAQ page. If you have questions that are not addressed on the website or FAQ page please contact the following: General inquiries, info@fmsc.org or 763.504.2919. Volunteer and registration questions, registration@fmsc.org or 763.951.7306.
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Volunteer Donation Team Member
HOPE 4 Youth
Date/Time: Saturdays from 9am - noon
Location: 2665 4th Ave, Anoka
Ages: Families with children ages five and older can volunteer.
Time Commitment: Three-hour shifts
HOPE 4 Youth is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide pathways to end youth homelessness. Our name is an acronym for our core services: Housing, Outreach, Prevention, Education and Employment. We serve youth ages 16 – 24 who are at risk of losing their home or who are already experiencing homelessness. Your family can help by volunteering at the HOPE 4 Youth Donations Center on Saturday morning. Volunteer help by meeting and greeting donors as they drop off items, checking donations for quality, and recording and storing donated items. Volunteers also help by organizing and stocking the clothing closet and food pantry.
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Special Needs Summer Camp Volunteers
True Friends at Camp Courage
Date/Time(s): Camp sessions are August 15-20 and August 15-24
Location: Camp Courage in Maple Lake, MN
Ages: Families with children ages five and older. Adults must provide 1:1 supervision for those under 18. Onsite housing and meals are provided.
Time Commitment: Ten days; meals and housing are provided
Families up to 7 members will assist adults with physical disabilities and camp staff for a week of fun at camp. Activities include: pontoon-ing, crafting, adapted high ropes course, archery, recreational games, campfires, s'mores making (and eating) and so much more. Volunteers directly support True Friends' mission: "Provide life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities."
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Help Seniors in Your Community with Spring Yard Cleanup
HOME Program of Senior Community Services (SCS)
Date/Time: Seasonal: Starting in mid-April and lasting through the summer. Spring Cleanup can be scheduled on either weekdays or weekends.
Location: Exact location TBD in Minneapolis or suburban Hennepin County, depends upon where the senior lives.
Ages: Families with children ages seven and older are welcome to volunteer. Come once or come throughout the season!
Time Commitment: Two to three hours
Volunteers are needed to help with Spring Cleanup for low-income seniors in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County. This is a fun volunteer opportunity to get outdoors while helping seniors stay in their homes by helping with outdoor home care that they are unable to do themselves. Hours are flexible, you choose the date and time that works for you! With COVID-19, seniors have been especially at risk, so we appreciate your support!
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Try a Nature Scavenger Hunt
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EXPLORE our growing list of at-home projects you can do whenever you're ready, each with conversation starters, book ideas, and more! Follow along on social media as other families tackle this month's project and share their stories! Simply join our Facebook group or find us on Instagram ( @doinggoodtogether and #sharekindness).
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Bid, Win, Grow Big Hearts! Our Spring Auction starts this month!
Find experience gifts, gift cards, and more. Your winning bids support DGT's mission to empower families to raise kind and caring kids!
Here's your chance to support DGT's mission to empower more families to raise kind and caring children – and win unique experience gift and great gift cards while doing so. Special thanks to our auction donors and our Sponsors, Homelight and Including You.
Visit our 32 Auctions website between April 24th & 30th to check out the options and make your bids, and be sure to share this link with friends and family so they can bid too. It's a win-win-win for everyone involved: auction donors and sponsors, auction winners, and of course, Doing Good Together! Together, we can grow big hearts and raise important funds for the compassion-building work of Doing Good Together.
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Mailing Address:
755 Medina Rd
Wayzata, MN 55391
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This list was compiled by Doing Good Together™ (www.doinggoodtogether.org)
When calling to volunteer for any of the opportunities listed above, please let the coordinator know you found it through this listing. You are encouraged to ask any questions you may have of the sponsoring organization before committing to a project.
Disclaimer: This list is provided as a service to families. Inclusion of organizations in this listing does not imply affiliation, endorsement or quality assurance on the part of Doing Good Together.™ Doing Good Together™ bears no responsibility whatsoever for the activities and actions of the listed organizations.
© 2022 Doing Good Together™
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