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Update on Suburban Ramsey Emergency Coalition – April 30, 2021
One year ago, all thirteen affiliates of major international service clubs (Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis and Optimists) in the Mounds View and Roseville Area school districts plus the Roseville Area and Shoreview Community Foundations came together to form the Suburban Ramsey Emergency Coalition. The Coalition has been successful in providing grants and volunteer activities for food, housing and mental health/well-being needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coalition Steering Committee, representing all 15 organizations, decided to continue the Coalition as long as our neighbors have needs related to the pandemic.
As of the end of April, 2021, we have awarded $150,170 to 21 different nonprofit service providers in our area, coordinated sewing of 200 isolation gowns for Ramsey County Care Center and arranged for volunteers for food distribution.
In a recent grant, the Coalition awarded a $10,000 grant for Roseville Family Table operating through Second Harvest Heartland to pay laid-off restaurant workers and prepare meals at underutilized commercial kitchens. Prepared meals are given at “Roseville Family Table” to needy families identified by staff at Roseville Area school district. Volunteer opportunities are available through June 9 at Roseville Area Middle School and High School. You may volunteer by going to the link on our SignUp Genius at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49afad2da4f4c43-meals
Other recent 2021 grants have been additional grants of $5,000 to Aeon for rental relief for residents of affordable homes in Roseville and Little Canada; $5,000 to Every Meal for food for children and families; $5,000 to Quincy House for supplemental groceries, meals and assistance for housing/utilities; $5,000 to Keystone Community Services for emergency food distribution in our area and $10,000 to Northeast Youth and Family Services to cover increased COVID-related costs for the NETS day treatment program for youth needing intensive mental health services. Ralph Reeder Food Shelf, Solid Ground and YMCA received previous grant awards.
The Coalition’s current fundraiser is the “Keep Moving” Virtual Walk/Run. Here’s how it works:
- Register today at: https://runsignup.com/Race/MN/SaintPaul/KeepMoving3MileVirtualWalk
- Get out and walk or run 3 miles in your community between May 9-16, 2021.
- Record your time on your registration. Fastest times in each category receive prizes.
- EVERYONE receives link to discounts and specials at local area restaurants and shops.
- INDIVIDUALS over 21 will be entered into a drawing for ONE of FOUR $50 Taste of Rosefest tickets! Taste of Rosefest (the major fundraiser of Roseville Rotary) will be in-person in September this year.
Thank you for sponsors of “Keep Moving” who have donated over $8,000 so far. The sponsors are: Valtinson Bruner Financial Planning; Frana Companies General Contractor; Old National Bank; New Brighton Mounds View Rotary; New Brighton Lions; Falcon Heights/Lauderdale Lions; Kathy and Paul Ciernia; Sandra and Duane Cady; and F&M Bank.
After contributions of $163,035 in 2020 from organizations, individuals, grants and public fundraising, we have raised $13,014 so far in 2021. Our balance is only $26,287 and we have more proposals coming in. The COVID-19 related basic needs have not stopped. We need everyone’s help to step it up!
Thank you to the many members of Arden Hills/Shoreview Rotary who have donated to the Coalition and volunteered in many different ways. To donate or find more details about grants, events and volunteering, go to: www.suburbanramseycoalition.org/donate
Helen Keller’s quote continues to be true: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”