Source MN, Urban Outreach and Anti-Trafficking: Est 1987
2.5 Million of food relief and counting thus far in 2022!
Since 1995, Source has been part of the E Lake Street, the epicenter of the 2020 Minneapolis Unrest. Source Food Shelf provided over 750 tons of food in 2022 and 10,000 homeless and impoverished meals. This is an increase of 25-fold from the 40,000 lbs of food 12 months before the Mpls Unrest to 1 million lbs the 12 months after the unrest.
The years of rebuilding and restoring Minneapolis after 2020 will be significant for decades to come. As we approach 2023, the need continues to be significant. These neighborhoods are struggling to rebuild after 2020. Crime and violence remain at record highs while homelessness, addictions and victimization have all significantly increased. Stabilizing families and providing basic physical needs are the foundations of community recovery.
Homeless youth, trafficking victims, impoverished immigrants, addictions and the marginalized have all been part of Source’s outreach focus, including transitional homes. Source serves individuals throughout the Twin Cities Metro and hosts National Homeless Youth Outreaches. The Fallout Urban Art Center is the hub of outreach as our community/resource center.
The Fallout is located just a few blocks north of East Lake St in South Mpls in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country. 1) 100 languages within 1.5 miles 2) 3 homeless shelters and immigrant housing within a few blocks 3) Minneapolis Art Institute and MCAD across the street
Our network of supporters and volunteers have allowed us to serve thousands in the urban environment. Thousands of volunteer hours annually, donating time and resources from individuals, businesses, and congregations have allowed Source to make a continued impact since 1987.
Help Rebuild Mpls and Meet On-Going Needs
Now that Covid Relief Programs are ending, we have need of $400,000 in 2022 to continue these much needed programs. Source increased 25-fold and provided $2 million of food relief for a cost of under $400,000 (20%). We were able to do this in such a timely manner because of the assistance of Covid Relief Programs. Most of these programs have ended and we desire to continue and expand. We have seen significant growth each quarter of 2021. Currently, we have over 1,000 recipients monthly representing 3,500–4,000 family members. Approximately 1/3 of our recipients are pedestrians, as they have no vehicle or the only car in the family is being used by the bread winner. These represent the poorest of the poor. Source has participated in outreach on E Lake Street for 25 years. The East Lake street corridor was the 2 mile stretch where over 200 buildings were vandalized and 135 burned down in the Minneapolis Unrest in May 2020.
The spring of 2020 ushered in a homeless and poverty food crisis that was compounded with the George Floyd Unrest in May. The results have led to record high homelessness and crime rates, leaving the impoverished immigrant and homeless communities devastated.
Since June, we have continued to provide 40-50 tons of groceries monthly from the Fallout.
Moving into 2023, crime and poverty remain at record levels with little relief in sight. Darkness and victimization have increased and will continue if the city continues its natural downward spiral. Source desires to be a light in the midst of this darkness because the rebuilding and restoring of the city in these next years is critical for its future. We remain committed to working with homeless youth, trafficking victims, addicts, and impoverished families.
Lake Street ’22 is a response and commitment by Source MN to lead a holistic effort to rebuild and restore our Lake Street community. The plan ranges from focused prayer, to providing food and basic needs to families and individuals, to participating and investing in ministry and small business initiatives that will build a Kingdom foundation for this vital part of our city.
Our strategic initiatives in 2023 include:
Food Distribution
Homeless Meals
Anti-Trafficking
Teen Leadership and Art community support
English Language Class
Community Meal
Latino Family Outreach
Dozens of congregations and hundreds of partners allowed us to respond in 2022 to make a significant impact to the underserved. Now we are calling on our network to join us in rebuilding for future generations.
We cannot go forward without God’s direction, prayer and our partners. The following overview provides an outline of needs and opportunities to serve.
Click HERE to see how we are currently rebuilding. Thank you for your support.