The DMNA Board took steps at their meeting last night to help address the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the downtown community. The board allocated $20,000 to an organization called WorkingPartnerships.org. This organization has established a relief effort to respond to the financial needs of hospitality and event workers in the Twin Cities.
WorkingPartnerships.org is collaborating with the City of Minneapolis and Meet Minneapolis, and they have asked the DMNA to join their relief efforts. COVID-19 has severely impacted the downtown community with the closing of bars and restaurants, the shuttering of event venues and the loss of convention and tourism business. As a result, hundreds of people have been furloughed, laid off or terminated from their jobs. WorkingPartnerships.org will use the DMNA’s funds to support the work of Navigators who are helping Minneapolis residents with the following challenges:
- Applications for unemployment insurance
- Childcare procurement
- Navigating healthcare coverage
- Securing food assistance
- Providing working protections
If you are interested in joining the DMNA to help support the relief effort for Minneapolis hospitality and event workers, please go to www.workingpartnerships.org and click on “DONATE” at bottom of page.
If you are a hospitality or event worker in need of assistance, please use the link below to request support:
https://www.twincitieshospitalityfund.org/request-support/
In addition to providing funds for WorkingPartnerships.org, the DMNA Board also allocated dollars for the purchase of masks for people living at The Atrium, a residential building owned by the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, and for the purchase of masks for giveaway to downtown residents. We are considering locations for distributing masks at Trader Joe’s, or The Commons. More info to come on this effort.