Programs for Everyone
Little Hopes is all inclusive.
We strive to maintain a safe, judgement and drama free zone for our struggling members to find help and support.
We help with meals for all recognized holidays, household needs, birthdays, back to school, vet bills, car repairs, and more. Many of our programs do have requirements as we are a mutual aid environment.
Help is never guaranteed, but we do try very hard and with your help we can do more.
To learn more about all our programs we welcome you to join our Facebook group or to email us at connect@littlehopesmn.org.
Hope Run
Hope Run is offered once a month and focuses on items that are not covered by EBT (trash bags, laundry soap, etc).
Weather permitting, it typically takes place on the third Saturday of the month.
Hope Run offers the options of pick-up in the Hamline Midway, or delivery within the group’s boundaries. Delivery is offered to those with transportation barriers, but is dependent on the number of volunteers available that day.
A sign-up form will be posted to the group site. Volunteers for both assembly and delivery are always needed.
To request help you must be a struggling member.
Birthday Help
Birthday help is available to children ages 1-17, and age 18 if still in high school. Birthday help is requested through the Birthday Help form, available through the group.
Birthday Help signup is usually posted 2-3 months prior to each birthday month.
Help is available for a gift and cake/cupcakes if needed.
To help with a posted birthday need, please contact the Admin or comment on the post in the Facebook group.. (To request help you must be a struggling member and a reminder we cannot guarantee help).
I Need Help
Little Hopes strives to help members with unexpected emergency expenses, such as car repairs, medical expenses, and emergency vet bills.
When families fall behind these are the things that do not get addressed, putting their stability and often safety at risk. As the problems mount they may lose housing, suffer more mental health issues, steal, or just give up. Let’s not forget what it does to our youth when a family goes through this.
I Need Help may be requested via the I Need Help form, available through the group.
We cannot guarantee help.
Quarterly Events
Event sign up is available through the group
Spring Toys and Joys
Spring is a time for renewal and celebration. Our event helps families celebrate the turning of the year and inspires them to get outside by providing toys and treasures for qualifying children ages 1-17, and age 18 if still in high school. Items may include sidewalk chalk, bubbles, beach toys, beach towels, seeds / seed starter kits, jump ropes, nylon hammocks, and more!
Summer Garage Sale and Free After Event
Following Little Hopes massive garage sale, our
largest fundraiser of the year, there is a FREE unlimited shopping event for struggling members at the sale’s close and a FREE shopping event for all members 30 minutes after the sale closes.
Fall Closet Refresh
As kids head back to school and cooler weather lies just around the corner, this event invites ALL members of our struggling families (yep, mom and dad and college students too!) to shop for new clothes and cold weather gear such as coats, hats, and mittens or gloves. Specific availability may vary.
This event has a volunteer requirement.
Winter Household Wonders
We recognize that in the struggle to provide a stable and cared-for family, parents often put their own needs last. This event provides new core household items that make everyday living easier and more enjoyable. Our most popular items at this event are vacuums, pillows, heated blankets and throws, bedding, kitchen appliances, pots & pans, knife sets, humidifiers and space heaters, and bath towels and rugs. We try to include a little fun, too, so holiday decorations, puzzles, and board games are offered as available.
This event has a volunteer requirement.
Sponsorships
To sign up for sponsorships and events you must be an active eligible member of Little Hopes, who is currently utilizing our regular programs or actively contributing to our Facebook community.
Little Helps
An ongoing direct sponsorship of a neighbor who is struggling, with a monthly commitment of no more than $25 a month. Sponsorships may be for needed items such as diapers, pet food, laundry, specialty diet related food or other health related costs, or more.
Supporting a family monthly reduces stress by ensuring they have a little more for other basic needs.
Back to School
Matches eligible families with direct sponsors via our group page. We try to help with a child’s school list as well as shoes, socks, underwear and at least one outfit, if needed.
Holiday Meals
Help with holiday meals currently includes the Spring, Thanksgiving and Winter holidays. Meals generally include staple holiday foods (i.e. Ham, Turkey, Cranberry sauce, etc.) We will happily accommodate cultural needs and preferences.
Winter Holiday Help
Little Hopes matches sponsors with eligible families to provide gifts (or other celebratory items) for the winter holiday for each member of the family. Items are delivered to families at the beginning of December.
This sponsorship opportunity has a volunteer requirement.
Other Holiday Help
Please email and let us know if a holiday that is important to you is not represented or doesn’t fall within the general time frame of our sponsored holiday events. We are here to support all members in their traditional community and faith celebrations.