As part of a year long pilot for Hennepin County, Pillsbury United Communities took a look at some of the challenges faced by those receiving social services like food stamps, housing assistance, and health care. For some, ending the cycle of poverty is more difficult then the prospect of receiving increased benefits one area results in loosing benefits in another area. This what is called the benefits cliff.
Watch the video and learn more:
July 2, 2025 | Melody Hoffman, left, and Azhae’la Hanson at last week’s Minnesota SPJ Awards. Photo by J.D. Duggan
“Bringing home hardware
The staff of the North News received several industry honors at an awards banquet sponsored by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists on Thursday.
Azhae’la Hanson received first-place awards for feature and news photography. Her story on the closing of JJ Legacy School won for news, while a portfolio of her work from 2024, published in the December issue, won for feature.
Melody Hoffman, who recently joined Hanson to teach journalism to high school interns, was recognized for Best Newsletter for her work with Southwest Voices. Hoffman was instrumental in helping North News start the newsletter that you are currently reading.
Editor David Pierini received an honorable mention in the Journalist of the Year category. Pierini also placed second in feature writing for a story on the opening of the V3 Center and its mission to teach Northside youth how to swim.
North News would like to thank our readers for sharing their stories and trusting us to chronicle life in North Minneapolis. “
July 2, 2025 | North News is an Enterprise of Pillsbury United Communities
🎉 You’re Invited! 🎉
Cedar Riverside Community Health Fair
Thursday, August 21st, 2025
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Brian Coyle Center – 420 15th Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN
Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly day focused on health, wellness, and community!
Whether you’re looking for helpful resources, free health services, or just a great time with neighbors, we’ve got something for everyone:
✨ FREE giveaways & activities including:
💉 Free health services on-site:
Don’t miss it – bring your family, friends, and neighbors!
📞 Questions? Contact us:
Awol Windissa: [email protected] | 612-876-9330
Aliazar Eliyas: [email protected] | 612-876-9326
🎉 You’re Invited! 🎉
Phillips Community Health Fair
📍 Waite House Center – 2323 11th Street S, Minneapolis
🗓️ Wednesday, August 6, 2025
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join us for a day of health, fun, and connection at the Phillips Community Health Fair!
Bring the whole family and enjoy free services, exciting activities, and awesome giveaways — all in the heart of your neighborhood!
💥 What’s happening:
🎒 Backpack giveaway
🎨 Face painting & kids’ fun
✂️ Free haircuts
🩺 Health screenings
🧪 HIV & COVID-19 testing + vaccinations
🎶 Live DJ + music
💡 Health & wellness resources
🍎 And so much more!
Let’s come together for a healthier, stronger community.
📞 Questions? Contact us:
Awol Windissa: [email protected]
Esthefanie Odell: [email protected] | 612-876-9308
Dear Friends, Supporters and Community Advocates,
We want to inform you that Cinnamon Pelly has stepped down as CEO of Pillsbury United Communities, effective immediately, for personal reasons. We are grateful for Cinnamon’s service and leadership and wish her well in her next chapter.
To ensure a smooth transition and maintain organizational stability, the Board has appointed Anthony Washington, our CFO, as Interim CEO. Anthony’s experience and calm, focused leadership have already helped us make strong progress in shoring up our finances and operations. He will continue to guide the organization with support from the Board and senior leadership.
To further support the transition and organizational continuity, Pillsbury House + Theatre leaders Noël Raymond and Signe Harriday are joining the Executive Leadership Team as Interim Chief of Staff and Interim Head of Social Enterprises respectively. They join existing ELT members Denise Fosse (Chief Development Officer) and Robert Sanders (Director of Real Estate).
We know leadership changes can create uncertainty. Please know that this transition is being handled with care and urgency, and that we are committed to open, timely communication every step of the way. We are entering a new chapter—one shaped by accountability, renewal and a commitment to continue to work alongside communities in aspiration and through adversity. With strong interim leadership in place and a thoughtful search ahead, we are confident in the path forward.
In Solidarity,
Anthony Washington
Interim President & CEO
Support Pillsbury United Communities (PUC) participation in Open Your Heart’s 16th Annual Summer Challenge!
As of 2025, approximately 537,890 Minnesotans are facing hunger, with 34% of them being under the age of 18. Additionally, food insecurity is now reported to affect 1 in 5 households in Minnesota.
Open Your Heart’s Summer Challenge provides participating food shelves like us with a matched grant proportional to their fundraising activities throughout July. Click: [https://secure.givelively.org/donate/pillsbury-united-communities/2025-summer-challenge] and make a donation today!
For 16 years, Open Your Heart has provided the highly impactful Summer Challenge Grant to support food shelves like PUC across the state.
This funding helps raise awareness of hunger and provides us with additional funding during these slower summer months to continue meeting the needs of our community. At a time when food shelves face tremendous strain and the increased need for resources, funds through Summer Challenge have a tremendous impact on food shelves like us!
June 25 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Take PRIDE in Yourself: An LGBTQ+ Resource Fair
Lush Lounge and Theater 990 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Neighborhood HealthSource and LUSH Lounge and Theater invite you to kick off your PRIDE weekend at Take PRIDE in Yourself: An LGBTQ+ Resource Fair! There will be FREE HIV rapid testing, STI testing, PrEP consultations with a qualified provider, MNsure information, community resources, and more! This exciting event will be held 5:30-8:30pm Wednesday, June 25th, […]
June 25 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Twin Cities Queer Transplant Group
Quatrefoil Library 1220 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN, United States
The Twin Cities Queer Transplant Group is a new community meetup for folks who have recently relocated to the Twin Cities. Drop by to meet new people, learn about local LGBTQIA+ resources, chat, and share your favorite Twin Cities discoveries! Locals, partners, and family welcome. Meetings hosted every 4th Wednesday at Quatrefoil Library. Questions and […]
June 27 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dignity Twin Cities Pride Liturgy
Prospect Park United Methodist Church 22 Orlin Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Dignity Twin Cities is a small Christian community that, in the tradtion of Liberation Theology from Latin America, provides a spiritual base for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Catholics, their families and friends. We are also an activist organization that works to change the antiquated sexual theology of the Roman Catholic Church. Join us as […]
June 27 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra Pride Concert: Love Letters
St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral 519 Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, MN, United States
A prince’s love breaks a sorcerer’s curse. A Vietnamese son writes letters to his mother, who cannot read, exploring their fraught family history and unfolding the relationship with his first love. A Finnish composer protests censorship of the press through what would become a second national anthem for his liberated nation. The MPO’s Pride concert shares […]
June 28 – June 29
Loring Park 1382 Willow St., Minneapolis, MN, United States
The Twin Cities Pride Festival is Minnesota’s second largest festival and the largest FREE Pride festival. Highlighting the best in LGBTQIA+ entertainment on 3 stages, featuring over 650 vendors, including LGBTQIA+ & BIPOC community resources, artists, and businesses. Learn more here!
June 28 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fulton Brewing Co. 414 N 6th ave, Minneapolis, United States
Prana&Pints is partnering with Fulton Brewing Co. to bring you a awesome fundraiser event!! This event will bring you an all inclusive yoga class, beverages, and a whole lotta fun! Cost is $30. This includes 1hr of yoga, 2 beverages tickets, and for each ticket sold $10 will go to Rainbow Wardrobe 🙂 We are […]
June 28 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Hey Y’all 2501 Marshall Street Northeast, Minneapolis, MN, United States
HEY Y’ALL — IT’S PRIDE! Join us at Hey Y’all (formerly Betty Danger’s) for a fabulous day of food, drinks, and drag with POWER Drag Revue! Expect high-energy performances, fierce looks, and all the Pride vibes while Hey Y’all serves up tacos and cocktails. All are welcome — come celebrate love, identity, […]
June 29 @ 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Dome Darty: Pride Above the City ft. Vogue Down Minneapolis & DJ Shannon Blowtorch
Sheraton Minneapolis Downtown Convention Center 1313 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN, United States
This Pride Sunday, the celebration doesn’t stop at the parade— it rises 14 floors above the city at the Pride Dome Darty, an electrifying afterparty hosted inside Sheraton Minneapolis Downtown Convention Center’s stunning 14th floor Dome. With 360° views of downtown, this immersive event is your chance to dance, sip, and slay as the sun […]
June 20 @ 8:00 pm – 12:00 am
Pride Glow Up at Nowhere Entertainment: A Night of Color, Celebration, and Community
Nowhere Entertainment 5300 South Robert Trail, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, United States
Mark your calendars for Friday, June 20, 2025, because Nowhere Entertainment is throwing a celebration you won’t want to miss. From 8:00 PM to Midnight, join us for our first-ever Pride Glow Up — a high-energy, night of fun, color, community, and self-expression! We’re transforming our entertainment center into a vibrant rainbow wonderland, complete with […]
June 20 @ 10:00 pm – 2:00 am
Ground Zero Nightclub 15 NE 4th St., Minneapolis, MN, United States
The Forbidden Bazaar celebrates diversity year round, but in June we go extra! This variety show will feature queer and trans performers, from burlesque to drag, aerial acrobatics to fire dancing, and more! Get your photo taken in our photobooth, check out wearable art from many different vendors, dance the night away, and get onstage […]
June 21 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Chisago Lakes Middle School grounds 13750 Lake Blvd, Lindstrom, MN, United States
Welcome to the Family Pride Run/Walk & Vendor Fair! Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment where LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and friends can feel a sense of belonging, celebrate their identities, and build a community of support and acceptance in the Chisago Lakes area. Join us at Chisago Lakes Middle […]
June 21 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Boom Island Brewing Company and Taproom 5959 Baker Rd, Minnetonka, MN, United States
Mark your calendars for June 21st and celebrate PRIDE MONTH with POWER Drag Revue. Get ready to brunch and be dazzled at Boom Island Brewing Co’s “brew-unch” Drag Brunch event! Sip on your favorite Boom Island brews and seltzers, savor delicious bites from the food truck, and prepare to be wowed by a fabulous Pride-themed drag show! […]
June 21 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
The Capri Presents: ROAR! Featuring Bebe Zahara Benet
Capri Theater
ROAR! A Global Music Spectacle Featuring BeBe Zahara Benet A Revolution in Rhythm This Pride Month, the legendary Capri Theater opens its doors for an unforgettable night of communal celebration and radical joy. ROAR! is more than a concert—it’s a cultural awakening, headlined by none other than BeBe Zahara Benet, the trailblazing performer and winner […]
June 21 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Leading Ladies: Divas of Broadway
Ordway Concert Hall 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN, United States
She’s back! Join TCGMC and Broadway star, Britney Coleman, at the Ordway Concert Hall for Leading Ladies! A little bit beauty and a little bit beast, this concert explodes with the music of Broadway sung by the biggest divas to grace the stage. “Let us entertain you” with songs from Gypsy, Into the Woods, Chicago, […]
June 22 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Twin Cities Pride Family Fun Day
Como Park East Pavilion 1151 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN, United States
Join us for an action packed celebration of LGBTQIA+ families at our annual Family Fun Day! This FREE event is open to all families, friends, and allies. We can’t wait to share this special day with you! Free community meal including hot dogs, chips, beverages, and more. Engaging crafts, exciting games, and fun activities for […]
June 22 @ 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Puppies & Pumps Drag Show + Purse Bingo
JX Venue 123 Second St N, Stillwater, MN, United States
As part of Saint Croix Valley’s Queer Crawl we have teamed up with COCO’S HEART DOG RESCUE and THE MINNEAPOLIS DRAG SCENE for a super fun event! Bring your entire crew, play with ADOPTABLE PUPPIES, sip on drinks from our full bar, WIN CASH + DESIGNER PURSES WITH BINGO and have fun watching an epic DRAG SHOW!! […]
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A huge thank you to Gary Ly, Career Pathways Program Manager, and Julie Graves, Senior Director of Youth and Future Focus for your incredible leadership and commitment to youth development with Pillsbury United Communities.
The work highlighted by The Minneapolis Foundation in the Career Pathways feature is a testament to your dedication to building equitable opportunities for young people to explore, prepare for, and thrive in meaningful careers. Your vision and collaboration are helping shape a more inclusive future where every young person has the tools and support they need to succeed. We’re honored to be part of this work and grateful for the opportunity to have leaders like you.
In the wake of the heartbreaking shootings that have affected our Minnesota communities, our hearts are heavy. We hold in you our hearts and send thoughts of healing to the families and communities of Representative Melissa and Mark Hortman, and Senator John Hoffman, during this deeply painful time.
We send healing, strength, and unity to all those impacted by this tragedy. In moments like these, we are reminded of the importance of compassion, understanding, and our shared humanity.
Now more than ever, we call for peace — in our streets, in our hearts, and in our nation. Let us come together to support one another and work toward a future free from violence.
🕊️ Pillsbury United Communities
