12 Days of Giving

12 Outstanding Charities - 12 Days of Giving - One Amazing Project

As part of MCCU’s 12 Days of Giving, each branch manager in the 12 communities we serve was asked to select a local nonprofit and present them with a gift of $2,000. The funds will be used to support the basic needs and essential services of those who benefit from their programming. In the spirit of giving and spreading some holiday cheer, here are MCCU’s 12 beneficiaries and the services they provide:

Day One: Safe Haven Foster Shoppe, Isanti, MN

It’s common for foster families to take in foster children during the middle of the night, and sometimes they arrive with only the clothes on their back. Safe Haven fills the gap by providing backpacks with basic necessities and a few things they can call their own. This year, Safe Haven has received 450 requests for backpacks, four-times the number from previous years. If you’re interested in purchasing a backpack, visit Safe Haven’s website to make a donation: https://safehavenfostershoppe.org.

Day Two: Damiano Center, Duluth, MN

Our Spirit Valley team members gathered, one weekend, to select and purchase winter outdoor gear for guests of the Damiano Center in Duluth, MN. Cartloads of brand-new jackets, hats, boots and gloves were made available for free at the Damiano Center’s Free Store. Operating since 1983, the Free Store distributes hundreds of thousands of articles of clothing and household items annually to people in need. To learn more, visit: https://www.damianocenter.org.

Day Three: Family Pathways – North Branch Food Shelf, North Branch, MN

As the ongoing pandemic lingers, the demand for hunger relief continues to rise steadily. Family Pathways stocks nine food shelves throughout East-Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Their mobile food truck travels to 22 sites, bringing healthy food choices to families and individuals experiencing mobility, transportation, or other food access barriers. Whether you’re in need of food assistance or looking to donate or volunteer your time, head to Family Pathways online at: https://www.familypathways.org.

Day Four: ANGELS (Area Neighbors Giving Elderly Live-In Services), McGregor, MN

ANGELS was established in 2004 to help seniors continue living in their homes as long as possible with independence and dignity. ANGELS volunteers help seniors by providing transportation, home repairs, care coordination, community meals, and so much more. Check out their support groups and services and learn how you can become an ANGELS volunteer today: http://www.angelsofmcgregor.com.

Day Five: Life House, Duluth, MN

Since 1991, Life House has provided homeless and street youth ages 14-24 with unconditional support, transitional housing, and a safe alternative to the streets. They’re here to ensure that our youth never have to walk a long, hard road alone, and we value this mission. For MCCU’s sixth day of giving, we’re supporting
Life House and their countless contributions made to our youth and community. To learn more, visit: https://lifehouseduluth.org.

Day Six: Sandstone Food Shelf, Sandstone, MN

Today, one in eight Minnesotans are considered hungry, compared to one in eleven in 2019. Our Sandstone team and credit union members went above and beyond their $2,000 gift to raise an additional $717 for the Sandstone Food Shelf. Whether you’re in need of food assistance or looking to donate or volunteer your time, head to Family Pathways online at: https://www.familypathways.org.

Day Seven: Community Café, Grand Rapids, MN

The Community Café serves the most fundamental need for life – food. They are dedicated to reducing hunger and building a stronger community by providing nutritious hot meals at their Grand Rapids and Deer River locations. For our twelfth and final day of MCCU’s 12 Days of Giving, we are proud to support the Community Café’s ongoing hunger relief efforts. To learn more, visit: http://communitycafemn.org.

Day Eight: Salvation Army, Duluth, MN

From hot weekday meals to housing assistance to youth enrichment programs, the Duluth Salvation Army provides the essential gifts of food, shelter, and hope to our Northland community. For MCCU’s eleventh day of giving, we’re proud to stuff the red kettle with a check for $2,000. If you’re interested donating, bell ringing, or offering your time and talents this holiday season, please visit: http://duluthsa.org.  

Day Nine: HOPE (Healing Opportunity Provided Equally), Aitkin, MN

HOPE works to end domestic violence in the community by providing direct services, education, and advocacy. They offer safe housing for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence. As part of MCCU’s 12 Days of Giving, we’re supporting HOPE. To learn more, visit: https://www.aitkinhope.org.

Day Ten: Wounded Warriors United Minnesota, Cromwell, MN

Wounded Warriors United is a not-for-profit organization exclusively founded for our combat wounded and combat veterans. They exist to provide therapeutic sporting and social events to assist in the healing of our heroes’ hearts and minds. They rely solely on private and corporate donations, and we’re proud to support them during MCCU’s 12 Days of Giving. Help a vet and donate today: http://wwumn.org.

Day Eleven: Homeless & Wounded Warriors-MN, Emily, MN

All too often, warriors who’ve returned home from combat feel alienated or lost due to their wartime experiences. Reintegration is a difficult task, and veterans, along with their families, are deeply affected. Homeless & Wounded Warriors-MN offers an array of services, including short-term financial assistance, assistance with housing, supportive counseling, advocacy, therapeutic sporting activities, and more. Support a vet today, at: https://homelessandwoundedwarriors-mn.org.

Day Twelve: B&B Food Train, Cloquet, MN

The Cloquet community certainly knows how to rise together during complicated times. Supported by countless donations from across the state, the Food Train, hosted by B&B Market in Cloquet, MN, continues to provide groceries for those in need. What started as a donation of 100 pounds of ground beef in March 2020, grew to $100,000 in contributions two months later. The Food Train continues to chug along and we’re thankful to be a supporting passenger. To hop onboard this train of support, visit: http://www.bandbmarketcloquet.com.