It’s here! The Annual Neighborhood Celebration and Board of Director Election!
Every year, residents of Folwell get together to celebrate and learn about what the neighborhood has been able to accomplish. It is also when the neighborhood elects a new Board of Directors.
We will gather safely together at 3701 Fremont outside in the back and side yard. Please bring a chair so you can comfortably enjoy the event.
Event Details:
Casual Hangout and Tour starting at 5:30pm. Program begins promptly at 6pm.
Dinner catered by Wha’ Jamaican. (Covid guidelines in place)
Tour the new space and share your ideas
Hear from our Elected Officials and get connected to the work happening across the city
Volunteer Appreciation
New Board Member elections
S’mores and a bonfire; weather permitting
Have you thought about serving the community by joining the Board of Directors? We need dedicated folks who have knowledge, talents, and skills in finance, organizing, project management, communication, visioning, and fundraising. (Pssst, you can also join the board because you are passionate about your neighborhood. These skills are not requirements.)
Have you participated in National Night Out (NNO) before? Traditionally, it’s been an evening of connection, fun, laughter, and an opportunity for neighbors to meet one other.
Historically this event is held on the first Tuesday of every August. This year, due to the Coronoviurs, Minneapolis’s National Night Out has been rescheduled for Sept. 15, 2020.
The City has however approved permits to still be issued on Aug. 4 if if you decide you would like to keep the original date. You can register your NNO event here.
Looking for some great ideas on what to do during your event? Keep in mind ways to minimize contact and keep safe distances.
Actvities you can do together:
Beautify a common area
Presentation by an arborist (Dutch elm disease, etc.)
Collect for a food shelf
Sign all ages up for library cards
Cover graffiti
Use e-mail to communicate more with your block club
Nominate a block club or an individual for a crime prevention award
Voter registration drive
Plan a fall clean-up or bulb planting
Community impact statements or petitions
Simple Refreshments: Have someone serve food to reduce multiple contact points.
Bring your favorite snack
Mini-donut stand
Coffee, tea, and dessert
Popcorn
Cookie exchange
Potluck
Fruit and cheese plates
Pretzels and pop
Hot dogs and brats
Root beer floats
Ice cream cones/make your own sundaes
Watermelon
Lemonade and cookies
With COVID 19 numbers still rising, we thought we would put together a few helpful healthy hints in hosting a socially distant event to help protect one another.
BEFORE HAND:
Please wear a mask when you door knock to invite folks.
Collect phone numbers so you can communicate through text or calls (have them give you their number if they are comfortable and type it in your phone yourself.)
Paint a sign with kids on the block that reminds people: PLEASE SOCIALLY DISTANCE FOR THE HEALTH OF ALL PEOPLE
DAY OF:
Offer free masks to neighbors who don’t have any.
Have hand sanitizer available that everyone must use before getting food.
Have someone serving food who is wearing a mask AND gloves so that there is no cross contamination.
Have snacks and drinks in individual servings, not large jugs or bags of chips to cut down on cross contamination.
Offer garbage, recycling, AND compost to help do our part in reducing waste.
If you are unable to get any of these items, please reach out the FNA and we can do our best to help secure masks and hand sanitizer. We also offer $50 to each Block party when you send an email to info@folwell.org notifying us of your event. We deliver funds on night of the event.
If you feel any symptoms, please stay home. Symptoms can include high temperature, cough, loss of taste or smell, headache. It incredibly important for each of us to do our part to keep others safe. A reminder that you may be asymptomatic for several days after a possible exposure.
The Folwell Neighborhood Association (FNA) does not host their own event. We believe in the mission of NNO where neighbors connect more deeply with those on their block. FNA board and staff will be out to come visit your event and get to know you!
Do you have questions? We can help! Email us: info@folwell.org
Check out these pictures from all the fun last year! While we know it won’t be exactly the same, we believe in how creative folks are in their ability to gather but gather safely.
The 2020 Census is here. Have you received it in the mail? Have you filled it out?
Check out the live interactive map to see how well Folwell, the Northside, and Minneapolis is doing.
Learn more about the Census and how to fill it out. Every count matters when it comes to funding critical programs like SNAP, WIC, Parks, Schools and City infrastructure.
If you haven’t already, please read the following from the MN Department of Health around the Coronavirus and how to help flatten the curve. Governor Waltz has issued a Shelter In Place Mandate until May 4, 2020. Be sure you are reading correct information around the Coronavirus by Fact Checking.
Questions? Leave a message at or text 612.643.1686 or email info@folwell.org
All winners will be selected and announced at Neighborhood Night! Must be a Folwell resident to win. Check the calendar for how to join meetings and gatherings. All neighborhood meetings will have virtual links in the calendar event.
Walk Well in Folwell: Daily from 4-6 pm
Walking helps boost moods and gets residents moving while practicing social distancing. Bring a bag and gloves to pick up some trash too!
Distance Lunching: Daily from noon-2 pm
Grab your lunch, head out to your porch to say “Hi!” to neighbors and check-in. Build community while keeping a safe distance.
In This Together Signs
Make a sign to hang in your window and encourage folks out walking or driving by. #FolwellStrong
Organizing on a hyper local community level maybe the best way to ensure vulnerable residents are taken care of. If you are able to help volunteer your time, resources, or funds please fill out the VOLUNTEER FORM.
Donate items to the FNA Drop off location. Text 612-227.0410 to set up a time.
Items include: non perishable food, over the counter medicine, toiletries, bottled water, Laundry and dish supplies, toilet paper, etc.
Volunteer to help deliver donated goods to home bound residents.
IIf you would like to help support the neighborhoods efforts in securing supplies for those in need, you can donate here:
This response project is organized by and able to serve Folwell residents. If you live outside of Folwell or need additional support, please contact your City Council Member or Neighborhood Association (contact info below). If you live in the Camden Community, you can fill out this form for assistance.
Ward 4: Phillipe Cunningham – 612-673-2204 or ward4@minneapolismn.gov
Ward 5: Jeremiah Ellison – 612-673-2205 or ward5@minneapolismn.gov
Here are a list of updates and resources to help the community navigate the rapidly changing world we live in due to COVID-19:
LIST OF LOCAL RESOURCE DISTRIBUTIONS:
Gethsemane Lutheran Church – 4656 Colfax – 612.521.3575 Mon 10-2pm Tues 10-2pm Wed 10-2pm AND 6pm Community Meal Fri – 10-2pm Sat – 10-2pm
Food in the Hood – 2827 Newton Ave N – 612.217.4003 – shawn@goodinthehood.org 2nd and 4th Thursday 5-8pm
Minneapolis Central Church of Christ – 1922 N 4th Ave – 612.374.5481
Morning Star Assembly of God Food Shelf – 2229 W Broadway Ave – 612.521.1148 Wed 6-7pm Sun 12-1pm
NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center – 1835 Penn Ave N – 612.767.0325 – foodshelf@mplmn.org Mon 10-4pm Tues 10-4pm Wed 10-4pm Thurs 10-4pm
McKinley Neighborhood Community Center – 33rd and Lyndale Ave N Aug. 10th 2-6pm Mon Aug. 17th 2-6pm Mon Aug. 24th 2-6pm
The following resource list was put together by the University of Minnesota Medical School Program in Health Disparities Research. As in previous health emergencies, this crisis will disproportionately impact communities most marginalized by structural, social and economic inequities. It is broken up into useful topics including, in part, Food & Utilities, Families & Education, Employment, Housing, and Finances. It is a working document and will be updated as additional resources are identified.
The FNA is doing what we can to help organize efforts to ensure no resident is left without in a potential city wide shut down. We are communicating with local officials to organize efforts and receive updates. Responding to this national health pandemic is providing the neighborhood an opportunity to learn where our strengths are and where our growth areas are in responding to emergencies. We hope to build on this experience to create a strong strategy for whatever might come next. If you are interested in being apart of that work, please email us at info@folwell.org.
The FNA wants to extend a heartfelt Thank you to everyone who participated, contributed and supported the Folwell Neighborhood “Leap of Faith” Promraiser! We were able to host a “Zero Waste” event digging deep into our community to bring supplies from home, create homemade decorations reusing materials, and build an event based on love and determination! The results were transforming a school gym into a magical winter prom!
There was dancing, there was singing, there was laughing, there was meeting new neighbors and building relationships!
THANK YOU to Angelo Williams with Wha’ Jamaican LLC. who cooked and served up Delicious Jerk & Curry Chicken and roasted veggies while managing the kitchen and making sure everyone stayed fed and happy. THANK YOU to Sammy Dee’s for providing Vegan Sweet Potato Sliders and Thirsty Whale Bakery for the heavenly Chocolate Cake, Lemon Cake, and Vegan cookies!
THANK YOU to Marcus Kar and DJ Karuza for keeping the music hot and the dancers on the floor. The vibe of the winter prom kept the room energized and we are so grateful for talented artists who we get work with throwing dope parties!
With sponsors, donations, tickets, and silent auction items, we were able to raise $8,419!When the FNA said ‘Yes!’ to leasing the commercial space at 3701 Fremont, we accepted we were taking a risk. Together with the community, the FNA decided that securing a mixed-use building with prime commercial space and two apartments above was worth the risk. There were a few small businesses that had to decline the original lease offer due to the rent for the 1800 sq. ft. commercial space being outside of their current business capacity. With the FNA’s willingness to secure the lease and the generosity of the community, we can now offer affordable options to up and coming small businesses on the northside.
While we raised thousands of dollars, we are still $3,500 short of our ultimate goal. If you were hoping to attend and weren’t able, or wanted to contribute, you still can! You can donate at https://folwell.org/3701-freemont/
The next steps include securing a sublessor to occupy the space with us, diversifying our funding, and exploring a community-ownership model.
The FNA team builds with the community at the heart and center of the work harnessing the collective power of our residents as the driving force for creating healthy neighborhoods. You believed in us as we stepped into an uncharted future. We are SO grateful for your support in what we are co-creating.We extend our deepest gratitude to you for believing in us and building with us. We look forward to the ways we can continue to create community-led development and investment.
As supporters and partners, we commit to keeping you informed and updated as the FNA 3701 Fremont Project progresses.
