Northeast Mpls Toy Library Fundraiser

Hello!

The Minneapolis Toy Library is expanding their operations! We will be opening another location next year in Northeast Minneapolis. Our fundraiser goal is $3,000 and will help with basic technology needs.  

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Our toy library was established in 2014 with our first lending event in 2015. We used public library spaces to set up a couple tables worth of toys. Molly, Taryn, Rosie, and Rebecca would pack up their cars with bins of toys, lay them out for a couple hours and then pack them up again. It was a lot of work, but we all believed so much in the concept of a toy library! A library of toys that will meet kids needs at each developmental level.  They need a baby gym when they can't sit up to work on eye movement and attention. When they sit up they are holding toys, mouthing them, and interacting with others. Stacking cups, easy to grab baby toys, and soft items like blocks or dolls help. When they start moving, their world opens up! They need balls, push toys, and bikes. Further on they could be working on putting puzzles together, learning their alphabet, and taking care of animals with their doctor tools. This all adds up - financially and space wise. Also, a toy library will reduce the waste associated with owning toys. Think of all that packaging waste when you buy a new toy and the resources needed to make the toy. Instead we build a community that takes care of our planet by continuing the life of existing toys through a lending library. 

In the summer of 2016 we decided to stop using the public book libraries. We were acquiring many new toys and were finding we couldn't bring them all to our lending events at the book libraries. Instead we set up some shelves in Rebecca's garage and held events at her garage for the summer! Humble beginnings. We had fun and it was a great way to build relationships with our members; chatting outside while kids picked toys.

The fall of 2016 is when we began renting space at the Richfield Lutheran Church. With the help of their youth group we were able to set up some shelves in part of the room we occupy now. Over time we added more open hours and also gained more of the space.  During this time we were awarded two grants from the Hennepin County's Green Partners Grant program. It was a lot of work but we found inspiration being a part of the program. Our grants focused on reducing waste and using environmentally friendly green cleaners. Our initiatives helped participants learn about why using chemical free cleaners was important for the planet and how becoming a part of the toy library can cut down on waste.  

Now it's 2021. We have the amazing opportunity to set up another toy library location in NE Minneapolis. Wow! Our team is geared up and ready for this endeavor. The community is learning about us and many are excited to start borrowing toys. Our location options are still growing and we have one prospect that would happen Fall 2022. 

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If you have read this far, thank you. It's hard to not talk about the how far we've come without explaining our history. If you believe in the concept of a circular economy where we borrow vs buy new, please help us reach this fundraiser goal. We can offer our services to even more families in the Twin Cities! If you have children in your life, consider donating on their behalf. It's their future we are helping shape. We have over 250 members (with nearly 600 past families) and a strong following, so we are positive we can make this goal. Anything you can donate makes a difference! Thank you.

Rebecca Nutter

Executive Director