The uphill battle for nonprofits during a global pandemic

By: Hannah Ihekoronye and Tina Nguyen

May 6, 2020 

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. –– “A day-to-day adventure” is how Kiley Benson, the director of operations and technology at Loaves and Fishes, describes life at a nonprofit during a global pandemic.

Gov. Tim Walz has declared most nonprofits as essential organizations due to the resources they provide to those who are urgently in need. With the pandemic, they are needed now more than ever, but most are finding themselves in a state of emergency due to their depleting resources and their inability to keep up with public demands. 

 “How do we keep people as whole as possible and a clear understanding of the work that you’re [nonprofits] doing is all a part of the care now, the recovery and the well-being of the state,'' said Governor Walz in an interview with Jon Pratt, the executive director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.

Loaves and Fishes warehouse in Minneapolis, Minn.

Amid COVID-19, Loaves and Fishes, a nonprofit organization that serves meals in the Twin Cities, is serving nearly triple the amount of meals they previously served before the pandemic struck. The virus has caused it to go from 3,500 meals a day to a drastic 10,000 meals. 

Loaves and Fishes continues to receive a pouring of positive support from the community; however, COVID-19 continues to produce new challenges that require new solutions. Concerns such as ensuring safe packaging, distribution and delivery of meals have required more creative thinking. 

With the overwhelming demand, there is also the struggle to provide an equal amount of meals at every site. As a result, new partnerships have emerged. To meet rising needs, Loaves and Fishes is partnering with UnitedHealth Group, Young Men’s Christian Association Twin-Cities (YMCA) and D’Amico Catering to expand their distribution network.

Executive Director of Loaves and Fishes Cathy Maes

“You can do the work if you just find the partners to do it,” said Cathy Maes, executive director of Loaves and Fishes.

Along with partnerships, Loaves and Fishes seeks financial assistance through grants to offset the additional $20,000 spent on operations every week due to the pandemic. 

To meet community needs, Loaves and Fishes is asking the public to donate money and volunteer their time to serve people in need.

People Serving People delivering meals in Minneapolis, Minn.

People Serving People, a nonprofit that provides shelter relief to families in need, has also had to make dramatic changes to keep their vital programs running and ensure the safety and security of guests and staff.

The nonprofit had to halt many programs and services, such as shutting down the cafeteria dining hall. Their food supply chains have also been severely disrupted along with their ability to rely on nearly 7,000 volunteers for service.

“All of these changes are expensive and unbudgeted,” said Emily Haeg, the communications coordinator at People Serving People. “While this is a financial hardship for us, our number one priority is protecting the health and wellbeing of the families we serve and our staff.”

In keeping up with rigorous safety protocols, People Serving People has had to invest their focus to sanitizing high-touch areas, implementing plexiglass barriers at desks, and working closely with Hennepin County to screen families for symptoms of COVID-19. 

All of these obstacles produced from COVID-19 have cost nearly $170,000 a month of unbudgeted expenses and--if continued--could add up to more than a million a year.

The staff, in compensation for their efforts, is also receiving hazard pay--a raise that has been implemented since Governor Walz first declared a state of emergency in early March.

CEO of People Serving People Daniel Gumnit

Despite the overwhelming cost and burdens due to the pandemic, the nonprofit has received tremendous support from the community. It managed to raise $1.3 million to support their efforts along with donations of thermometers and face masks. 

“It’s been humbling,” said Daniel Gumnit, CEO of People Serving People. “The community really rallied to support in a manner of a few weeks.”

People Serving People is accepting donations through their Give At Home MN campaign. Wells Fargo will match the donations by doubling the amount you give. 

Despite their leaps and bounds in overcoming obstacles, both nonprofits have an understanding of the hard times still ahead.

“Every day has its own challenges and battles,” Benson said. “The need will continue to escalate.” 

“It’s been a truly transformational experience,” Gumnit said. “My hope is that the community will not forget the massive health and economic disparities disproportionately felt by people of color when we’re on the other side.”