PRISM Names Michelle Ness as Executive Director
Ness will be in charge of managing PRISM’s day to day operations and expanding the reach and influence of the organization.
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Monday, March 11, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Letter: Local Youth Prepare to Fast to Benefit PRISM, Near Food Shelves
Plymouth resident Aileen White said that youth will fast for 30 hours on March 1 in an effort to raise awareness for those in need and raise money for local food shelves.
This year as in years past, the need to help our local food shelf continues. Many of our neighbors, many unknown to us visit the food shelves of PRISM and Near, as a means to support their family in these uncertain times, they visit to put food on the table and nourish their kids. I am again this year writing to let you know of a group of high school and middle school students who will come together the first weekend in March to do a 30-hour fast The youth are mostly members of St. Joseph Parish in New Hope. Many are students who attend local schools. Some bring friends to participate from other churches. As in years past, the students start their fast on Friday while at school at 1pm. After school, they come to the parish center to stay …
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Community Fights Hunger Through Robbinsdale Empty Bowls Event
Bowl making will take place on Feb. 9 and 23. All bowls will be donated for an Empty Bowls fundraiser in March.
There’s no hiding it. Hunger in Minnesota is a common problem. Reports show that the number of people who go hungry in this state has doubled over the last five years. What’s more shocking? Forty percent of those who go hungry are children. These are the realities that Minnesotans face today, but Plymouth resident Sharon Pleimling has decided to do something about it. By volunteering at Empty Bowls events in February and March, Pleimling hopes to make a difference in the lives of local families. On Feb. 9, community members are invited to make bowls at Robbinsdale Middle School. All bowls made at the event--which begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 1 p.m.--will be sold on March 21 at an Empty Bowls event at Sandberg Learning Center. Proceeds …
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Tuesday, July 10, 2012
PRISM’s Car Program Offers Opportunities To Those in Need
The car program at a Golden Valley nonprofit is thriving.
Minneapolis mom Rose Lobley was driving around a 1988 Buick LeSabre a few weeks ago when the car started to act up. She took it in for repairs only to find out the bill would be $1,700. “There was no way I could afford that,” she said. “No way.” Without a car, Lobley was out of work. Then, she heard about an auto program through PRISM. In 2000 PRISM took over car loans from a dissolving nonprofit. Seeing the need for this kind of program, the Golden Valley-based organization decided to create a program of its own. “PRISM decided to get a dealer’s license to allow us to take in donated vehicles, added an in-house car class and budgeting class, and invited more families to be in the program,” PRISM Executive Director Liz Johnson explained. …
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Monday, March 19, 2012
Letter: Fasting Event Draws Attention to Hunger
Students collected money and canned goods for PRISM during a 30-hour fasting event designed to draw awareness to hunger problems.
Editor's note: This is a letter to the editor regarding the 30-Hour Fast hosted by St. Joseph's Church in New Hope. Dear editor: At a time when our local food shelves are in great need, middle and high School youth came together at St Joe's Church at 36th and Boone in New Hope to take part in a 30-Hour Fast. The youth did this to raise funds, collect food donations and most of all, highlight awareness that many go to sleep hungry in our community. The event, which happened at the beginning of March, was a success. Middle school & high school youth involved: 68 Pounds of food: 1950 Money raised: $4700 Working together to help our community: PRICELESS Thank you to the residents within the boundaries of Robbinsdale Area Schools for your …
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Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Allianz Employees Form Human Chain for PRISM
The employees raised thousands in food and clothing.
Editor's Note: The following content was provided by Janey Kiryluik, an account executive for Allianz Life at Padilla Speer Beardsley. Hundreds of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America employees participated in a ‘human chain’ at the company’s Golden Valley headquarters on Friday, passing thousands of boxed items down the stairs, through the lobby and into waiting semi-trailers. “Demand at local food shelves is greater than ever. While we are saddened by this reality, we are also extremely proud of the way our employees stepped up to beat our donation goals and support our community,” said Gary C. Bhojwani, president and CEO of Allianz Life. “The continued success of our annual Spirit of Giving campaign is a testament to the …
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Sunday, November 20, 2011
Golden Valley Lutheran Says Thank You
The church says its collection for PRISM was a big success.
Editor's Note: The following article was submitted by Golden Valley Lutheran parishioner Carol Paschke. If you have a community article you'd like posted, email the editor (mary.costello@patch.com). Thank You, Golden Valley Community! On October 23, members of Golden Valley Lutheran Church, on Glenwood and Turners Crossroad, went door-to-door collecting for PRISM food shelf as part of "Feed Your Neighbor" Food Drive. The Golden Valley community around Turners Crossroad donated a total 900 pounds of food, five bags of clothing, AND a car. Homeowners were very supportive of the effort, with an estimated 45% of the people approached contributing. All donations will be distributed by PRISM Food Shelf will be used to help GV and other …
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Sunday, November 6, 2011
Fourth Annual Food Drive is 'Not Just a Food Drive'
The drive helps the less fortunate and teaches kids some valuable lessons.
Editor's Note: This information was submitted by Tia Clasen, communications director for the Robbinsdale Areas Schools. Robbinsdale Area Schools Creative Play preschool is in the throes of planning for their fourth annual ‘Not Just a Food Drive” event to be held the week of November 14th. Like its name implies, this food drive not only helps those who are less fortunate, but is a way to teach young children good nutrition; math skills, such as graphing, counting, and size comparison; and the concept of sharing. The idea for “Not Just a Food Drive” was the brainchild of Shawn Hanks, one of Creative Play’s education assistants. The history of this food drive began with the preschool’s “special events”. Creative Play has monthly special …
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Monday, August 1, 2011
Golden Valley Human Services Foundation Accepting Applications
Group helps fund nonprofits that serve local residents.
The Golden Valley Human Services Foundation (GVHSF) is accepting applications from nonprofits that need funding. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. Aug. 26. The volunteer members of the GVHSF will review the applications and decide which will receive funding, according to a news release from the city of Golden Valley. The foundation has funded People Responding In Social Ministry, the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery and Community Mediation Services in the past. The guidelines for approval, listed in the news release, are: Applications are available at City Hall or Brookview Community Center, or they can be downloaded from the city's Website. For more information, or to make a tax-deductible donation to the foundation, call (763) 512-…
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Thursday, July 7, 2011
Golden Valley Food Shelf Hurting During The Shutdown
PRISM faces a food shortage as donations are hard to come by and more families are coming in.
As the state government shutdown continues, Golden Valley's People Responding In Social Ministry (PRISM) is struggling to keep food on its shelves. "Our provisions just keep dwindling," said Diane Erickson, PRISM volunteer and resource director. Food commodity distributions from the Minnesota Department of Human Services have stopped during the shutdown. Ramsey County District Court Judge Kathleen Gearin did not include them in a June 29 ruling of essential services. Erickson said that in addition to a 10 percent increase in food shelf clients over the past month, the organization is experiencing a donation slump. "The poor economy has affected everyone, and that includes our contributors," she said. The food shelf hosted a record 602 …
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Valerie Engler
4:03 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Great to hear, Aileen! I loved learning about it. more ›