MERRICK COMMUNITY SERVICES’ Post

Merrick Community Services Annual Uplift event is just 3 weeks away on May 7th at the beautiful Vadnais Heights Commons! You can still buy a table or individual tickets! The evening will send you off to the races Kentucky Derby Style. Please join us for a fabulous night to raise funds to support residents on the East Side of Saint Paul and beyond.  https://lnkd.in/daQ9FyaP 

MCS gets the opportunity to serve a diverse population of people every day through our Food Shelf. This comes with a diverse set of cuisines, ingredients, needs, and wants. Our food shelf is always looking for more culturally appropriate foods. Drop off a donation today! Food donations are accepted Mondays-Thursdays 8 am – 5:30 pm at our Food Shelf located at 1669 Arcade Street North, Saint Paul, MN 55106.  A big shout out to the Johnson Senior High School JROTC students for their creativity, service, and participation! 

With access to discount programs and products through our Food Shelf, we can purchase more food at a cheaper price for our neighbors. Your $20 donation can provide 60 meals to families in need. Contribute today at: https://lnkd.in/ghBkBwh5 

Happy leap day! The March Food Drive officially starts TOMORROW and the need for food, especially culturally-appropriate foods, is at an all-time high. This past fiscal year, our Food Shelf had over 27,000 visits. Can we count on you to help your neighbors with a food or monetary donation this month? Visit our website for more information: https://lnkd.in/ghBkBwh5 

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Are you looking for an opportunity for your office or organization to give back? Interested in hosting a food drive at your place of employment? We can supply you with everything you need to get started.  Visit our website for more information: https://lnkd.in/ghBkBwh5 

Congratulations to Diamond Hunter on her selection as the new Executive Director of Solid Ground. We are so proud and excited for our former colleague. We know she will continue to do great things for our community. Solid Ground, an award-winning nonprofit organization, is pleased to announce Diamond Hunter as its next Executive Director, leading our mission to prevent and end homelessness for families with children in Ramsey and Washington Counties. She begins her position on February 5, 2024. Diamond Hunter joined Solid Ground in February 2022 as the Director of Programs following her role with Merrick Community Services leading their Family & Integrative Services team. As a licensed social worker, with progressive Social Services experience, Ms. Hunter brings an in- depth understanding of the challenges families face, together with a special generational passion for the work of preventing and ending homelessness. Ms. Hunter led her team in increasing the number of families served by 75% in the last year alone. “It is an honor to take on the role of the next Executive Director of Solid Ground. I want to thank the Board of Directors for giving a person with lived experience an opportunity to lead this amazing organization. My vision is for us to work together to build a hopeful, vibrant community that’s healthy and thriving. We will continue the work to ensure every family has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home,” Ms. Hunter said. Working in partnership with the search firm WJ Flynn & Associates, the Solid Ground Board of Directors conducted an expansive executive search, which included stakeholder input from staff, current and past Board members, volunteers, and major stakeholders. “The search process led us back to one of our own – we saw in Diamond her vision for the mission and her leadership drive, combined with her personal story and life experience – Diamond Hunter exemplifies the values of Solid Ground and sends a strong message of commitment and hope to those experiencing challenges,” said Lynnette Becker, Solid Ground Board Chair. Diamond Hunter succeeds Trisha Kauffman, who announced her retirement in August 2023, after leading the organization for 26 years, helping thousands of families break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for the next generation. “I am thrilled that Diamond will succeed me – her passion, her vision, and community connections, combined with her ability to deeply connect with our staff and families, positions her to lead,” said Trisha. “Solid Ground is in a strong position, with depth of programming and sound financials, so it’s a great time for new leadership to take the organization to the next level.”