COVID-19 Response

WE NEED YOUR HELP

There is an immediate impact to providing basic resources for someone in need. Food not only feeds bellies but feeds hope and a feeling of security. Knowing there is somewhere to turn to if you are unsafe in your home brings empowerment and options. Family Pathways is here to help those who need food, safety or support caring for an older adult. Your support makes it possible to do this work.

Donate Money

• Family Pathways can turn your donated dollar into more meals. With our buying power, we can turn your $1 into $7 worth of groceries. Donate today.

Donate Food

• Spring is typically the time the abundance of donations from the holidays starts to dwindle. Additionally, many children depend on school for healthy meals. With the current public health crisis presenting an uncertain future, this situation is even more dire. Donate food, cleaning supplies, pet food, and personal care items today. Please leave donations outside during regular business hours so staff or volunteers can pick up curbside. Most needed items.

Volunteer

• If you are a healthy individual, without high-risk factors, please help families get the items they need to get through these uncertain times. Many of our helpers may need to step away from their volunteer roles during this time. Fill out a Volunteer Interest Form here.

Reach Out for Help

• Call our 24-hour Crisis Hotline (800) 338-SAFE (7233) if you or someone you know needs domestic or sexual violence services. Learn more about our services.

COVID-19 RESPONSE
A message from Family Pathways

The global fight against coronavirus presents a significant challenge to us all. Family Pathways is committed to finding ways to mitigate risks to the health of our clients, volunteers, and staff while striving to meet the critical needs of our neighbors. Over 20,000 people in our community rely on Family Pathways essential services – food shelves, domestic violence advocacy/shelter, and services for older adults.

As a longtime community partner for more than 40 years, Family Pathways remains a resource to the most vulnerable. Today, and in the months ahead, we ask our supporters to stand by our side.

We are actively monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and MN Department of Health (MDH) regarding COVID-19 and reassess our response daily. Following recommendations from national and state health leaders, Family Pathways is implementing the following actions until further notice.

Food Access

• Beginning Monday, March 16, all nine Family Pathways food shelves will continue their hours of operation and donations but will pivot from the model where customers shop for their food, to a pre-packed grocery model delivered curbside.
• Mobile food pantry distribution will continue with modifications to delivery.
• Family Pathways is working to identify processes to support the nutritional needs of children affected by school closures.
• If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please contact the Family Pathways food shelf near you.
• Donations of food and financial support are enthusiastically welcomed. List of most needed items.

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services

• 24-Hour Crisis Hotline is available (800) 338-SAFE (7233)
• Black Dog Hill Shelter will continue to operate and honor social distancing. If you need emergency shelter, please contact the Crisis Hotline.
• If you need an Order for Protection or Harassment Restraining Order, please email or call our advocacy office or the Crisis Hotline.
• Step Up education group for men is suspended until further notice.
• Trainings, meetings, and support groups are suspended until further notice.

Aging Services

• Classes and support groups are suspended until further notice.
• Caregiver consulting available by phone or email.
• Food distribution to older adults will continue to operate.

Thrift Stores & Donation Centers

• All 10 of our Thrift Stores and Donation Centers are now open. We have updated our safety policies and procedures to help keep our customers, staff and volunteers healthy. We are requiring our staff, volunteers and customers to wear masks or face coverings. We have implemented enhanced cleaning procedures. We’ve also designated Tuesdays, 9-10 am as a special shopping hour for seniors and other high-risk individuals. For details, please see our Thrift Store page.

Forest Lake Teen Center

• Closed until further notice.

Supervised Visitation & Safe Exchanges

• Supervised visitation will resume on June 1, 2020. For further information please contact Connie H. 612-554-1980 or Connieh@familypathways.org.

Volunteers

• If you are not in a high-risk category and feel healthy, please consider volunteering at a food shelf or thrift store. Fill out a Volunteer Interest Form here.
• In addition, Family Pathways is taking the following steps to help reduce contact and/or spread of COVID-19:
  —Increasing the visibility and importance of hand washing in the restrooms and throughout the facilities
  —Advising people to avoid touching their eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands
  —Advising people to avoid close contact with people who are sick
  —Advising staff and volunteers to stay home if they are in a high-risk category, display signs of illness or come into contact with affected individuals

Any crisis presents the opportunity to help one another, to learn, and to increase resilience while building a safer and more caring community. We will continue to monitor and adjust operations as appropriate. We’ll keep you updated as we know more and please don’t hesitate to reach us for questions or concerns.

Phone: 651.674.8040
Email: mail@familypathways.org