Supporting Change Through Your Purchases
Businesses everywhere have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic—especially those in the retail and hospitality industries. But now, as they try to bounce back from months of financial losses, several in the North Loop are also pledging to give some of their reopening proceeds to racial equity groups and neighborhoods rebuilding from recent destruction.
Many others have been collecting donations and offering links to groups in need on their social media pages.
This is no doubt not a complete list, but among those we’ve noticed on social media:
Queen Anna House of Fashion: Through the end of June, donating a portion of sales to the George Floyd Fund for the benefit of his 6-year-old daughter, Gianna.
Soul Bowl: Has been partnering with local churches to give meals to people in need through the “Food For Your Soul” program; is among several restaurants organizing a cleanup on West Broadway on June 13th from noon-3pm
Statement Boutique: Portion of sales this week and all of next week going to the West Broadway Coalition, Northside Funders Group and We Love Lake Street to help rebuild parts of north and south Minneapolis.
Fulton Beer: Opening its new patio and renovated taproom with all sales this week going to the West Broadway Coalition to help rebuild north Minneapolis.
Inbound BrewCo: Selling artwork with all proceeds going to the Northside Funders Group and West Broadway Coalition; donating 25% of the cost of their new Wild Rice Porter and Russian Imperial Stout to Northside Funders and West Broadway; taking part in the Black Is Beautiful beer initiative—a collaborative effort in the brewing community to bring awareness to injustice
Modist Brewing: Also joining the Black Is Beautiful beer initiative with 100% of proceeds going to Justice Frontline Aid, which works to provide aid to peaceful protesters and collect donations to help the community; Modist made its facility available to this group in the weeks after George Floyd’s killing to collect donations.
NOLO’s Kitchen: ‘NOLO’s is donating $1 from every sale of our #1 selling menu item, the Cheeseburger, through 2020. Those funds will go toward local charities that focus on supporting African Americans and rebuilding the local community. We are starting by supporting The Urban League Twin Cities.”
Red Cow and Red Rabbit: “For the remainder of 2020 and 2021, we pledge to donate through our InspiRED Giving Fund to organizations that support equality for BIPOC. Currently, our restaurants are drop off zones for the local communities that are without basic household supplies and food. We ask that when you come to Red Cow & Red Rabbit you bring a non-perishable or household item to donate. We will deliver your donated items along with our own donations. We look forward to serving you and being part of the solution.”
MartinPatrick3: We’re partnering with our favorite CBD brand @blncdnaturals to #restorenorth. Now through the end of June when you purchase a full-size CDB oil, $10 dollars will be donated to helping support businesses on the Northside.
The West Broadway Business & Area Coalition in partnership with Northside Funders Group are leading this initiative. To find out more about these groups, head to westbroadway.org
Pacifier: “Pacifier will donate 100% of our 2020 corporate profits to the Northside Achievement Zone, a local charity that works to eliminate the educational opportunity gap for Black kids in North Minneapolis. Each purchase you make from Pacifier will help us make a difference for our Black community together.”
Crisp and Green: Formed the “Crisp and Green Foundation” to help bring lasting change in minority and other underserved communities and support the rebuilding efforts of small businesses in the affected neighborhoods. Starting with a $25,000 grant, they hope to raise $100,000.
DRG: “Will be proudly be supporting the following organizations and urge you to do the same: Northside Funders Group, Support The Cities, We Love Lake Street.”
Fairgrounds: Pledged to donate 10% of all sales last week to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund which supports racial justice through advocacy, litigation and education.
Black Sheep Pizza: “Going forward we will use our donation program to support organizations that encourage equality and an end to systemic racism in our community.”
By Mike Binkley, North Loop Neighborhood Association