Edina COVID-19 Relief — Stories of IMPACT

The first request came immediately. One of ECF’s Connecting with Kids Leadership Award 2020 honorees heard about the Edina COVID-19 Relief Fund. She asked if we could help a local organization that works with seniors. COVID-19 hit them hard. They needed N95 masks to protect the seniors receiving grocery deliveries. And to protect those making the deliveries. 

So, Help at Your Door received the first grant from the Edina COVID-19 Relief Fund. They used the funds to secure a small supply of N95 masks. 

Who is Help at Your Door? They are a nonprofit serving seniors and individuals with disabilities across Minnesota’s seven county metro area, including 80 residents of Edina. One of their biggest services is “store to door” grocery assistance. Their volunteers are front-line workers who both spend time in grocery stores and interact with vulnerable seniors. The small supply of N95 masks were lifesavers. Literally.

And their demand has skyrocketed. The first week, their requests for assistance increased 25%. The next week, a 35% increase over the last week. And, many of their shoppers are seniors who had to step back from volunteering to safeguard their own health. 

When we touched base on April 9th, their Executive Director shared an update on their needs: they have a shortage of volunteers for their grocery delivery program (shoppers and delivery drivers), and they will gratefully accept cash donations as well as donations of paper goods, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer, just to name a few. 

While they’ve been overwhelmed, this organization with a 35 year history is also feeling the power of a generous community. Just last week, one person who heard of their need for paper products loaded their car with toilet paper, and when they saw the delivery van, they signaled for the driver to stop and proceeded to unload their donations.

If you would like to assist Help at Your Door by volunteering, email volunteer@helpatyourdoor.org or visit their website.

We’ll continue to share stories of gratitude and hope as donations are received and grants are made. Lets come together and keep Edina strong.