Elizabeth Brisbin

Give to the Max Day Amplifies Power

Give to the Max 2025

Powering People. Strengthening Place. Building a More Equitable Minneapolis.

At Pillsbury United Communities, we are creating a city where every person has the opportunity to thrive. Through a powerful network of neighborhood centers and social enterprises, we work alongside individuals and families to build pathways toward prosperity, equity, and community well-being.

Every day, our mission comes to life in ways both big and small — from a hot meal shared in fellowship, to a youth discovering their voice, to neighbors uniting for systemic change.

Why Your Gift Matters

Your donation fuels programs that meet urgent needs today while building long-term solutions for tomorrow.

  • $100 provides fresh groceries or a week of hot meals for a family.
  • $300 supports youth internships that prepare the next generation of leaders.
  • $1,000 sustains neighborhood-based arts, education, and employment programs that empower whole communities.

Together, we’re building a Minneapolis where everyone—regardless of zip code—can live with dignity, opportunity, and hope.

Our Community Centers: Roots of Connection and Opportunity

Across our four neighborhood hubs, tens of thousands of people each year access food, education, health, and employment resources that strengthen families and communities:

Social Enterprises Creating Lasting Impact

Your generosity also supports our innovative social ventures that expand opportunity across Minneapolis:

Full Cycle bike shop offering internships for homeless youth, learn more: https://fullcyclebikeshop.org/

KRSM radio station elevating conversations and cultures over the airwaves in six languages, learn more: https://krsmradio.org/

North News delivering original reporting from the Northside perspective and providing journalism opportunities for youth, learn more: https://mynorthnews.org/

Pillsbury House Theatre presenting thought-provoking performances that lead to understanding and positive change, learn more: https://pillsburyhouseandtheatre.org/

Sisterhood Boutique providing personal and professional skills-building opportunities for young women, learn more: https://sisterhoodmn.org/

Elizabeth Brisbin

Resources from Hennepin County Regarding SNAP Benefits

Details

  • Due to the federal government shutdown, you may not receive your SNAP or MFIP food benefit payment in November.

Hennepin County’s role

  • County staff are ready to enter your information into the system and will continue to work on SNAP and MFIP cases as much as possible, to be prepared for quick approval when the shutdown ends. Please continue to apply if you might be eligible.
  • We understand that this situation is confusing and frustrating, and that it will be disruptive for you and your family.

The state’s role

Resources for residents

Will Heller

“Freedom Tree Garden” Installed At Oak Park Neighborhood Center

On an otherwise unassuming morning in early August, Project Sweetie Pie set out to plant some trees.

Gathering under the blazing summer sun with shovels in hand, a group of youth and supervisors gathered to hone their horticultural skills and contribute to their community’s environmental health. What resulted was the “Freedom Tree Garden.”

The gravel bed tree farm, located at 1701 Oak Park Avenue N in Minneapolis, seeks to address issues surrounding food and climate justice, as well as bolster environmental literacy for the surrounding community. This coming Indigenous People’s Day, trees from the garden will be given to North Minneapolis residents in need of increased green canopy cover.

This project represents a community-wide collaboration in its truest form, with twelve different organizations participating in the project. A full list of participating organizations can be found below. The gathering was further enriched by a visit from John Evans, formerly from Hennepin County, who returned from retirement to participate in the construction of the tree garden.

The story of Project Sweetie Pie and these gravel bed tree farms is far from over, with plans to install more at the Loppet Foundation.

Photos provided by Juan Coleman

Participating Organizations:

  • City of Minneapolis Health Department Green Careers
  • Project Sweetie Pie
  • Minneapolis Parks & Recreation
  • Birch Tree/LLC
  • To Succeed You Must Read
  • Black Lives Matter
  • Consultjssj
  • The Minnesota Horticulture Society
  • Abode Research
  • Zintkala Luta
  • Minneapolis PAL
  • Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department

Will Heller

Interns Showcase Their Experiences And Achievements At The 2025 Summer Showcase

Pillsbury House + Theatre was abuzz with activity during the 2025 Summer Internship Showcase as community members gathered to see what our interns had been working on over the past few months. The theater itself was host to a vibrant program of readings and performances, while all throughout the building, interns had the opportunity to share the impact of their experiences in media, agriculture, fashion, and more. All in all, it was a day of learning, discovery, and celebration of the incredible achievements of our hardworking interns.

Youth Internships have always been a crucial part of Pillsbury United Communities’ ongoing efforts to prepare our communities’ youth for a wide range of career paths, and these summer internships were no exception. We are incredibly grateful for all of the interns who chose to spend their summer with us, as well as the community members and partners who make it possible for us to be able to offer these programs.

Photo Credit: David Pierini

Elizabeth Brisbin

Problem Gambling Resources from MN DHS

One in three Minnesotans knows someone with a gambling problem.

According to a recent survey, one in three people said they knew someone with a gambling problem. And yet, many of us believe that it can be controlled by willpower alone. Compulsive gambling is a serious disorder that causes psychological, financial, emotional, marital and legal difficulties for people with a gambling addiction, their families and their friends. But there is help. And there is hope.

 

Will Heller

“Fit & Fun Family Jam” Community Health Fair at North Market

Music and laughter that filled the air at the 2025 North Market Community Health Fair: “Fit & Fun Family Jam,” a joyous celebration of much of what makes the North Minneapolis community so special. Attendees spoke with representatives of different community health organizations and learned more about the resources available to them. Children with vibrantly painted faces decorated the concrete underfoot with equally vibrant chalk drawings. Many received free meals, courtesy of Wendy’s House of Soul, as well as backpacks and even a free bike, in one case.

The event, hosted by Pillsbury United Communities in collaboration with Culturally Responsive Caregiver Support & Dementia Services, brought together members of the surrounding community with the goal of nurturing healthy lifestyle choices, as well as raising awareness for the many organizations that work so hard to do the same.

Pillsbury United Communities extends gratitude to all of the sponsors who contributed to making this health fair possible:

Will Heller

Waite House Center Hosts Phillips Community Health Fair

On August 6th, 2025, members of the Phillips community gathered for a day of learning, free health screenings, live music, backpack giveaways, and more – all as part of the Phillips Community Health Fair. Hosted at Wait House Center, the event connected members of the surrounding community with resources of all kinds, from kids activities and haircuts to testing for Covid-19 and HIV.

This health fair is part of a broader effort by Pillsbury United Communities to provide Minneapolis residents with increased access to health resources, with additional health fairs hosted at North Market in the Webber-Camden neighborhood and the Brian Coyle Center in Cedar-Riverside. We are grateful for the ongoing support of all of the attendees, community partners, and sponsors who make events like this possible.

Will Heller

Brian Coyle Center Hosts Cedar Riverside Community Health Fair

On August 21st, 2025, The Brian Coyle Center was host to the Cedar Riverside Community Health Fair. Live music from KRSM Radio (KRSM Radio is an Enterprise of Pillsbury United Communities), punctuated by the playful shouts of children, created an air of celebration as members of the surrounding community met and connected with many of the organizations that serve them. Local providers offered a wide array of health and wellness resources, including free health screenings, Covid-19 testing/vaccination, HIV testing, bike/backpack giveaways, free haircuts, and more. Additional activities, like face painting, henna, and a Halal food truck made for a fun and energetic event.

This health fair is part of a broader effort by Pillsbury United Communities to provide Minneapolis residents with increased access to health resources, with additional health fairs hosted at North Market in the Webber-Camden neighborhood and the Waite House Center in the Phillips neighborhood. We are grateful for the ongoing support of all of the attendees, community partners who take part in events like these.

Pillsbury United Communities extends gratitude to all of the sponsors who contributed to making this health fair possible:

Elizabeth Brisbin

North News’ Azhae’la Hanson was recently honored with a Mel Reeves ‘Justice Then Peace’ Legacy Award

👏 Join us in congratulating Azhae’la Hanson! 🏆

North News: Pride of the Northside, By David Pierini, North News Editor

“North News’ Azhae’la Hanson was recently honored with a Mel Reeves ‘Justice Then Peace’ Legacy Award for journalism integrity and commitment to community. The award is named after the late journalist and activist and is presented by the Black Women’s Wealth Alliance, Mel’s Place Soul Food Restaurant, and Vegan Byy Nature. “

https://mynorthnews.org/about

North News is an Enterprise of Pillsbury Unites Communities. https://pillsburyunited.org/social-enterprises/

Elizabeth Brisbin

6 Weeks of Community Yoga Series October 14 – November 18

🧘‍♀️ Join Us for 6 Weeks of Community Yoga Series! 🧘‍♂️
Take a deep breath, stretch it out, and find your center with us at the Brian Coyle Center for free community yoga sessions!

📍 Location: Brian Coyle Center | 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55454

📅 Tuesdays | October 14 – November 18, 2025

⏰ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Every October, organizations & individuals unite to uplift the need, voice and experiences of survivors.
Please join us for trauma-informed chair yoga. ✨ All are welcome – come move, breathe, and build community.

Please contact Hibak Mohamed at 612-876-9306

Elizabeth Brisbin

Gillette Children’s Medical Career Discovery Day for Youth

Gillette Children’s is excited to host a Medical Career Discovery Day for Youth on Saturday, November 15 at their St. Paul campus!This free, hands-on event is designed to inspire the next generation of healthcare heroes — bringing together students (Grades 3+), parents, educators, and community leaders for a day of exploration and fun.

📅 Saturday, November 15
📍 Gillette Children’s campus, St. Paul
🎟️ Free — registration required: https://tinyurl.com/44shctkw

👩‍⚕️ Meet real clinicians
🧪 Try interactive medical activities
🏥 Learn about exciting healthcare careers
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Open to students and their parents/guardians

Whether your child dreams of being a doctor, nurse, therapist, or scientist — or is just curious — this is a great chance to explore what’s possible.

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