When Way to Grow launched the Neighbors Who Care: Family Essentials Drive this winter, the response was immediate. More than 600 people joined in and gave generously. Alongside them, five community partners organized collections, rallied their networks, and brought others into the work.
Alongside them, seven community partners organized collections, rallied their networks, and mobilized friends to help. Today we celebrate CBX, Magnum Chorum, MacPhail Center for Music, Medica, The Children’s Heart Clinic, Big Event Productions, and Edina resident Nicole Meehan, who stood with families when it mattered most.
Why a Supply Drive?
This winter, immigration enforcement activity across Minnesota created fear and uncertainty for many families in our community. For some, leaving home to buy diapers, pick up food, or run basic errands no longer felt safe. Children stayed home. Parents couldn’t go to work. Routines were disrupted. The needs did not go away.
Neighbors Who Care exists for this moment. It is a responsive, seasonal drive that moves generosity directly to families in our program, quickly and with care. As we received multiple truckloads of supplies, Way to Grow staff received and sorted diapers, baby wipes, household cleaning supplies, formula and shelf-stable food, our Family Educators delivered customized supplies to households across the Twin Cities. For many, these deliveries were a reminder that their community cares for them and their well-being during a challenging time.
CBX
CBX is a brand strategy and design agency with offices in Minneapolis and New York. Their team has shaped the identities of some of the most recognized brands in American culture (including Cheerios, MIlkbone, Clorox, KitchenAid, Trojan, Titleist, Lego, Land O’Lakes, 7UP, IcyHot, and BP), and they bring that same level of care and craft to their role as a neighbor.
CBX’s participation in this drive reflects a genuine commitment to the communities they call home. We are grateful for their leadership and the way they invited and motivated others to give alongside them.
Says Evan Gettinger, Principal, “Minneapolis is one of the places CBX calls home. We’re grateful to support an organization like Way to Grow that gives a voice, stability, connection, and development opportunities to young voices that too often get drowned out when the world gets loud around them.”
Magnum Chorum + The Children’s Heart Clinic
Magnum Chorum is a 55 voice choral ensemble in the Twin Cities founded by St. Olaf Choir alumni 35 years ago, who perform in cathedrals and sanctuaries across the Midwest, commission new works, and whose mission it is to bring music of transforming artistry and spirit to listeners seeking beauty in the music and its message of hope and love.
Hearing of the Neighbors Who Care drive, the singers donated and gathered supplies for Way to Grow families, extending the circle of care to neighbors in need. “It gave our singers fulfillment and a sense of meeting the moment by collecting carloads of needed items,” reflected Executive Director Martha Kunau. “We know it made a big difference for over 800 families Way to Grow serves.”
Generosity begets generosity! Inspired by the choir’s campaign, singer Annie Warnke mobilized her office at The Children’s Heart Clinic to do the same. “People felt powerless and wanted to do something tangible make a difference. We considered a few charitable organizations and Way to Grow was selected. Annie and an associate delivered diapers and infant supplies to Way to Grow and were thanked by grateful staff.
MacPhail Center for Music
Founded in 1907, MacPhail Center for Music is one of the nation’s oldest and largest community music schools. Serving more than 15,000 students each year across the Twin Cities, MacPhail works to transform lives and strengthen communities through music.
MacPhail’s commitment to access and inclusion makes them a natural partner for Way to Grow. Their team hosted a collection drive and invited their broader community to support families who needed it most.
Medica
Medica is a nonprofit health plan headquartered in Minnesota, founded in 1975 on the belief that health coverage should be community-focused and member-driven. With more than one million members across multiple states, Medica remains one of the region’s most trusted health care organizations.
Medica’s participation in Neighbors Who Care reflects a long-standing commitment to families in Minnesota. Access to health care and access to basic essentials are part of the same picture. When families have what they need, children are better able to be present, to play, and to learn.
Nicole Meehan
When Edina resident Nicole Meehan heard of the challenges in North Minneapolis and across our city, she rallied her neighbors to collect and donate supplies for Way to Grow families. “People were asking me how they could help, I told them about Way to Grow and its outstanding health, literacy, and family education programs – and how these families needed support,” says Meehan.
Donations filled her garage. “I love the impact this organization has,” she says, “and knew our donations would immediately help families in crisis. We take care of each other.”
Thank You to Volunteers and Donors!
With thousands of boxes arriving at our office, Way to Grow became an instant warehouse and food shelf this winter – in the best possible way! We knew we would need many helping hands. Volunteers came to our rescue from Big Event Productions, Magnum Chorum, Minneapolis Rotary Club, as well as from our Board of Directors. They enthusiastically unboxed, sorted, and organized all the donations. Their joyful work helped our Family Educators quickly bring relief to every single family we serve. We are grateful for everyone’s help and for the new connections made!
If you or your book group, church, employer or other organization are interested in hosting a drive or getting involved, explore our Neighbors Who Care page and join us in building a community where families feel supported and connected. Thank you!
