For the second day in a row, University of Minnesota Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC) organized a pop up donation drive and distribution for community members in the Franklin/Hiawatha neighborhood.
Two and a half miles from the clinic, a memorial of flowers rests upon the ground. It has been one week since the murder of Mr. George Floyd. Days of protest and police brutality have erupted in the Twin Cities, across the country, and throughout the world.
“Our staff, patients and communities experience daily discrimination and trauma based on the color of their skin, race, gender or ethnicity...We are in an unprecedented pandemic that disproportionately affects our patients and communities based on historical racism and structural inequities,” said CUHCC CEO Colleen McDonald Diouf in a statement. “It is the ties that bind and the community among one another that will get us through and help us heal together.”
On Monday, a stream of cars arrived throughout the afternoon as community members pooled resources together for those in need. With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, hand sanitizer and masks were distributed. The heat of the afternoon sun did little to dissuade the countless volunteers who unloaded cases of water, non-perishable food items, hygiene and cleaning products. A steady line of community members came through to select items for their families. In two hours, staff, volunteers, and partners were able to distribute needed food and items to over 300 people.
Thanks to the generous donations from the community, CUHCC is positioned to share surplus items with patients. If you are looking for more places to donate, please consider the following aid distribution locations.