Grab and Go Meals
Beginning March 23 the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland Lincoln Park Site will be providing dinner at no cost to school aged children.
Lincoln Park Boys & Girls Club
2407 West Fourth Street
Duluth, MN
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Monday – Friday
Meals will be available while supplies last.
Donations Needed
The Clubs are asking for any donations and support from the community to help with supportive programs. Donations can be made by calling or going online: 218-727-1549 or www.bgcnorth.org/donate/
While our nation and world continue to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 Crisis, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland are finding ways to help support our youth and families.
So many amazing individuals, businesses and organizations have stepped forward to be part of the solution during these troubling times and the Clubs feel strongly that we need to continue serving our youth and families despite being closed to traditional programming.
The staff started out by preparing Care Packages before the Clubs closed on Tuesday, March 17. Youth members were sent home with care packages that included: food items such as cereal, noodles, vegetables, fruit and milk as well as personal care and hygiene items.
On Wednesday, March 18 our staff started a calling tree to reach out to youth members and families to help keep them informed about resources at the Club and the community. Since the Clubs closed we have been consolidating supplies and resources to determine the feasibility of what we can offer in the coming weeks.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland are offering the following supportive measures for youth in our community:
Online Resource
Distance Learning and Homework Support
Google hangout to keep the lines of communication open with youth
Care Packages
Drop off site for hygiene and food supplies
Personal care supplies including shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, etc. (while supplies last)
Resources for Youth and Parents
List of compiled remote access resources for Mental Health, Education and Free Meals (see below)
Games for grabs – stop in and pick up a game to help keep youth busy at home
Activity Packs – educational and fun activities for home
Club Updates
As the COVID-19 virus continues to dramatically impact our communities, our first and foremost concern is the health and welfare of our under-resourced and at-risk children. The Club staff are in the process of developing online resources for our members to interact virtually with the Clubs. We are also looking into options to supplement the school breakfast and lunch programs by continuing to provide dinner to our members in a to-go format from our Lincoln Park site.
Our Site Directors and staff are also working hard to help our families and kids feel less isolated, more supported, and most importantly continue to fulfill our mission of empowering and inspiring all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as caring, productive, responsible citizens.
At present the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland sites will be closed the following days:
- Dave Goldberg Branch – Closed thru Friday, March 27
- Lincoln Park Branch – Closed thru Friday, March 27
- Superior Branch – Closed thru Friday, March 27
- Grand Rapids and Greenway Branches – Closed thru Friday, March 27
We are constantly evaluating the situation and these dates may be subject to change as we learn more in the coming days and weeks. Please check our website for updates on this rapidly evolving crisis.
Resources for Youth and Families
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings
http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
PBS Kids Resources
https://www.wdse.org/highlights/pbs-kids-resources
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Crisis Text Line: Text MN to 741-741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-7233
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline:
1-800-985-5990
St. Louis County Child Abuse Initial Intervention:
218-726-2012
Birch Tree Center – Mobile Mental Health Crisis Unit:
218-623-1800
CDC website for coping with stress due to COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
National Alliance on Mental Illness – Coping Guide for COVID-19
Northland Healthy Minds – Local Resources for Coping with the Crisis
Food Resources in Duluth
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland – Lincoln Park Branch
Serving free dinner and snacks to school aged children
Burrito Union & Fitgers Brewhouse providing lunches to youth
Local schools are offering free breakfast and lunch
COVID-19 RESOURCES
Coronavirus General Information
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
How to Prepare
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/index.html
Minnesota Department of Health
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Applying for SNAP/CASH benefits thru St. Louis County
https://applymn.dhs.mn.gov/online-app-web/spring/public/process-login?execution=e1s1
United Way Assistance
United Way has a COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund. They will help with bills, rent, and food. You can call 1-866-211-9966 and provide zip code and will be given a list of local agencies to provide assistance.
Unemployment
Any parents who are currently out of work because their employer closed or laid off workers due to COVID can apply for Unemployment– waiting period has been waived
https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid-19.jsp
Transportation
DTA began free service on March 18
https://www.duluthtransit.com/home/getting-there/service-alerts/
Gala Fundraiser Updates
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland has been closely monitoring the unfolding COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on our community.
To ensure the safety of our friends and supporters and In keeping with the guidelines set forth by the CDC, we have made the necessary decision to postpone our Gala Fundraising Event.
The Gala originally scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2020, will be rescheduled for some time in the coming months. We will continue to monitor the situation and upon finding a new date we will follow up with an invitation and details.
We thank you for your continued support of the kids and Clubs and we are working to continue providing whatever support is appropriate to our youth during these troubling times.