**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Supporting our Bloomington families and neighbors

Are you in need of support? Our community wants to help! Please reach out to the following groups/organizations:

• Members of the Poplar Bridge community have come together to support our students and their families. If you have a student at Poplar Bridge and are in need of groceries, transportation, or rent assistance, email poplarbridgeaid@gmail.com or text 612-314-3781. Please note this group is NOT affiliated with Bloomington Public Schools or the PTA.

• Closet of Hope can provide hygiene items and rent assistance to residents of Bloomington and Richfield. Please contact closetofhope2012@gmail.com if you are in need of these items.

• VEAP can provide food and household supplies. Call 952-888-9616 if you are in need of these items. More information can also be found at https://veap.org/get-help/.

• VEAP can provide rent assistance to renters in Bloomington, Edina and Richfield. Call and leave a voicemail at 952-888-9616  x147, or email socialservices@veap.org to apply for these services.

• La Vina Community Church can provide food, household supplies, and rent assistance.  Call 612-567-9777 or submit this form if you are in need of these items.

• Iglesia Dios Habla Hoy (DHH) can provide food, household supplies, and rent assistance. Submit this form if you are in need of these items.

• These organizations can help with immigration questions:

  • • Volunteer Lawyers Network — 612-752-6677

    • Immigrant Law Center of MN – 1-800-223-1368

    • Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid — 612-332-1441

    • Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services — 1-888-575-2954 (for persons living in Southern Minnesota counties)

• Pet Crossing Animal Hospital has free pet supplies in their lobby -- no questions asked. 

• Pet Haven is providing pet supply deliveries across the metro. Text 651-206-6618 or email community@pethavenmn.org.

Are you looking for ways to support our community? Please share your time and resources with the following groups/organizations:

• Members of the Poplar Bridge community have come together to support our students and their families. If you are interested in joining this effort, contact poplarbridgeaid@gmail.com. If you'd like to donate to this effort, see here. Please note this group is NOT affiliated with Bloomington Public Schools or the PTA.

• Bloomington community members have partnered with Oak Grove Presbyterian Church to create a Bloomington Mutual Aid group and provide food, hygiene items, transportation, and rent assistance to residents in Bloomington.

  • • Donate Funds: https://givebutter.com/bloomingtonma

• Many local businesses are struggling and need our support right now. Here is a list of local businesses that could benefit from community support.

• Study Buddies is a free tutoring program available to all BPS students, offering support with reading, math, and other coursework. The program is looking for volunteers to provide 30 minute tutoring sessions after school and in the evenings. Email egagnon@isd271.org  for more information.

• Closet of Hope can provide hygiene items and rent assistance to residents of Bloomington and Richfield.

  • • Donate Hygiene Items: You can drop off donations at Bloomington Covenant Church, 10150 Xerxes Ave S, on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00pm. Gently used clothing and new diapers and underwear are always accepted.  Other items needed include: laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products, dish soap, soap, toothbrush/toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, tylenol, children's tylenol.

    • Donate Funds: A Winter Emergency Fund was set up for the specific purpose of helping families with rent and food during this crisis. Donate here. 100% of donations to The Winter Emergency Fund will go to families in need.

• VEAP can provide food, household supplies, and rent assistance.

  • • Volunteer: https://veap.org/volunteer/

    • Donate Funds: https://veap.org/ways-to-give/donate-funds/

    • Donate Food & Household Supplies: https://veap.org/ways-to-give/give-food/

• La Vina Community Church can provide food, household supplies, and rent assistance.  Call 612-567-9777 or submit this form if you are in need of these items.

  • • Volunteer: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLScUHuwQ5oejIn.../viewform

    • Donate Funds: https://give.tithe.ly/...

    • Donate Food & Household Items: toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, diapers & wipes, rice, beans, flour, sugar, vegetable or canola oil, salt, tortillas, fresh eggs, laundry detergent, dish detergent

• Iglesia Dios Habla Hoy (DHH) can provide food, household supplies, and rent assistance.

  • • Volunteer: https://dhhmn.elvanto.net/form/8f54a7ff-c817-4159-8312-95bdcf0c877b

    • Donate Funds for Food: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/despensas-food-drive

    • Donate Funds for Rent: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/rent-2