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

https://www.nami.org/getattachment/Press-Media/Press-Releases/2020/COVID-19-and-Mental-Illness-NAMI-Releases-Importan/COVID-19-Updated-Guide-1.pdf?lang=en-US

Northland Healthy Minds – Local Resources for Coping with the Crisis

https://www.northlandhealthyminds.org/covid-19-resources?utm_campaign=7e7bc637-8627-4b06-ad7f-cd14dd98c3e7&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=35176a42-2ffd-447e-b235-3a68f6d6fa21

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.