Early this spring, the Minnetonka Rotary Foundation invited ICA Food Shelf for an update on the changing needs of the community due to the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic. Recent surveys revealed transportation was a major barrier, especially for those facing health issues, isolation and unemployment. ICA had to pivot operations quickly to provide food resources through home deliveries, resulting in an increase of over 40% in this area alone.

In response to this data, the Minnetonka Rotary Club, the Hopkins Rotary Club, the Lake Minnetonka Excelsior Rotary Club and the Excelsior Rotary Club came together to raise funds for a delivery van. With the addition of a grant from Rotary District 5950, the Rotarians were able to garner $27,000.

Being able to see Rotary from the larger district lens, rather than just a club view, is its own reward. The value of Rotary to our society becomes clearer the bigger view you create for yourself. I encourage all of our district members, when the time is right in their careers, to expand their Rotary horizon by supplementing their club experience with a district role. You, too, will be very proud of District 5950! -- District Governor Russ

Service Opportunity working with the Orono Club

District Governor shares mid-term observations

Youth Link's mission is to empower youth to shape their own futures by providing a safe, supportive, respectful and responsive community.  It is the place "where the END of homelessness and the END of poverty begin for youth served".
Jose Acuna has been involved with Youth Link for 18 years.  He is so totaly committed to going into the streets, building trust and break down barriers to foster relationships with the homeless youth in our area.  The goal is to teach young people that have been abandoned, abused, and neglected that they can gain control over their own lives by promoting social, emotional cognitive and behavioral competencies. Teaching self sufficiency means providing for themselves, managing their own affairs and making their own judgements.  This agency is a "one stop shop" that provides housing, job opportunities,intervention services, education (GED assistance), drop in center, medical referrals, and much more. One way Jose has helped make this happen is through Street Soccer, a program which has become a very big part of the local Youth Link initiative.  To learn more about Youth Link go to youthlinkmn.org It was a pleasure to host Jose and learn about this worthy crisis intervention project in our own community.

Today club members shared a very heavy heart as we paid tribute to our Club Statesman, Allen Kerr, who passed away this week while in Florence, Italy with his best friend and wife, Char.  They had just completed a 60th Anniversary cruise with friends who live in Florience.  Daughters, Cindy and Betsy, were with us as many were moved to share their "Allen" stories and accolades, because he was a member who truly lived the Rotary motto "Service Above Self".  Although he became an official member of our club 06/2010, he joined us for meetings many years before that when he visited his family here in MN.  His former club was Raleigh-Durham, N.C.  As someone said this morning "This was one of the hardest meetings I have ever attended".  Rest in peace, Allen.  You will certainly be remembered as a Rotarian who raised the bar for all of us.

Other club meeting news will be posted separately.