🍎 $4 million in emergency funds to food shelves

While SNAP is frozen, Twin Citizens step in

Funding for SNAP is on hold due to the government shutdown, meaning 440,000 Minnesotans will not receive assistance to purchase food. The Trump administration is refusing to use $5 million in contingency funds to keep benefits flowing. On Monday, Governor Tim Walz announced $4 million in emergency grants for 300 food shelves across the state. [FOX 9]

• Candy and community: Twin Cities Pride put out a call for food donations. They got two truckloads to distribute at their trunk or treat celebration on Sunday. Anyone was able to come and get a free meal and groceries. [KARE 11]
• Full kitchen: Local restaurant critic Kirstie Kimball has been collecting donations for the Joyce Uptown Food Shelf. [Instagram]
• Temporary solution: Food shelves say they can’t possibly replace SNAP. According to Jessica Francis, executive director of the Oakdale food bank Open Cupboard: “We provide one meal for every nine meals that SNAP provides.” [KSTP]
• But you can still help: Food banks are facing a surge in demand, as prices rise and federal workers go without pay. You can volunteer or donate to one near you using the Minneapolis food shelf map or the Ramsey County food resources map.

Serial Tree Vandal At Large: In November of 2024, someone ripped 60 freshly planted trees out of the ground on Shepard Road and threw them into the river. The community rallied and donated resources to replant the trees. Now someone has chopped 32 trees in half on the same stretch of Shepard. St. Paul Parks is asking anyone with info on the incident to call 651-291-1111. [St. Paul Parks]

The Future is Bright: If you watched the Timberwolves game against the Denver Nuggets last night, you might have noticed some serious upgrades to the lighting system inside Target Center. That's because the team's new owners updated the system for the first time in nine years, a major investment in the team and fan experience at Target Center. [Star Tribune]

ICE Incoming: In case you missed it, the DHS Secretary Kristi Noem paid a visit to Minneapolis for a press conference on Friday. From behind a pile of drugs and guns, Noem announced that dozens more ICE agents will be coming to the Twin Cities over "the next week or two." [Bring Me The News]

Music Meets Meat: Animales BBQ has opened a brick-and-mortar location in the Harrison neighborhood, and it is good. Their menu boasts a selection of day-of smoked meats, sandwiches, and unique cocktails, and they have an impressive live music program curated in partnership with the celebrated North Loop mainstay Berlin. [North News]

Get Your Caffeine Fix: I'm on a mission to go to all of the coffee shops in NE, and to let you know why you should go to each of them. Follow along on our socials to see my pitches for Walden, Momo Cafe, and Dogwood – and to let me know where to go next! [City Cast Twin Cities]

• Senior Capital Campaign Manager at Minnesota Zoo Foundation | $85k - $95k per year
• Film Incentive & Industry Liaison at Explore Minnesota | $59k - $86k per year
• Director of Contemporary Music Program at MacPhail Center for Music | $70k - $82k per year
• Digital Artist (Graphic Design) at Johnny Pops | $65k - $80k per year
• Sports Podcast Host at Hubbard Broadcasting | $90 - $120k per year