A Needed Reminder

In appreciation of generosity

Yesterday, I reached out to the mailing list of my reading series, Flying South, which I co-run with my dear friend Jack. We’d postponed our Saturday event due to weather. We usually put out QR codes to a couple of organizations doing good work (Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project and He She Ze & We; if you’re curious, check them out!). In yesterday’s email, I also asked folks to venmo me donations I could pass along to my sister in Minneapolis, who’s working with groups doing supply buys and deliveries for folks in need as they shelter from ICE.

I sent one email, and my community sent me over $250. It was heartening in the sort of deep way I needed. I am prone to getting lost in despair or exhaustion these days.

So I’m doing it again today. However, let’s cut out the middlemen. My sister has directed me to some resources that I’m sharing below. No doubt a lot of you reading have your own channels and avenues to help, but should you have anything extra this month, or are looking for ways to contribute, these groups are doing profound work.

• Community Aid Network - serves between 200-300 families each week with free food, diapers and supplies, distributing 1,000 items every distribution day.

  https://www.canmn.org/

• TC Trans Mutual Aid - Supporting and amplifying the material needs of trans folks in the Twin Cities https://tctma.org/social/

• Immigrant Rapid Response Fund - provides funding to trusted organizations responding to immigration-related emergencies across Minnesota - https://www.wfmn.org/funds/immigrant-rapid-response/

For people afraid to leave their homes to go to work or shop for food, the influx of resources helps keep them safe. For volunteers on the ground taking time off work, the funds and resources keep them in the streets, protecting their neighbors and documenting agents. For everyone risking their income and revenue by standing in solidarity with strikes and boycotts, funds and resources allow them to stay in the fight.

Thank you all, again, for ever reading my thoughts here. It means a lot to me.

We are capable of being strong for each other.

Ty