Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In the previous fiscal year, Neighbors, Inc. distributed more than 1.28 million pounds of food throughout our community, helping to nourish 35,655 children, 59,493 adults, and 15,403 seniors. Our Financial Empowerment Center continued its strong momentum, experiencing significant growth and securing $450,000 in funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Clients working with our financial coaches saw an average wage increase of $26.77 per hour, reflecting the program’s meaningful impact. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our volunteer community. More than 300 volunteers contributed 27,574 hours of service, playing an essential role in advancing our mission and strengthening our neighborhoods.
Current Goals
1. Grow alignment among programs to deepen services for clients: Develop internal communications and resources to help staff easily speak to program benefits and to understand best practices to build trust with clients. Improve messaging and communications to help clients understand program services and benefits. 2. Integrate resiliency practices into programming: Develop central referral network of meaningful partners to serve clients more holistically. 3. Expand Hunger Relief: Explore viability of increasing the number of community partner delivery locations. Explore opportunities to increase food options: fresh produce, meat, variety of foods, culturally specific foods, food rescue, etc. 4. Enhance Thrift Store offerings for the people we serve: Expend our voucher system. Explore the feasibility of a standalone store in the community. 5. Further develop Financial Empowerment: Expand and enhance financial coaching (credit, asset building, decrease savings, jobs, etc.).
Community or Constituency Served
Neighbors, Inc. has been rooted in the community for more than 50 years. Guided by a mission of neighbors helping neighbors build stability, increase opportunity, and enhance well being, we are a community led nonprofit committed to creating long term impact. We primarily serve individuals and families at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, but our doors are open to anyone seeking support, whether they are working to meet basic needs or striving to improve their financial well being.
Geographic Area Served
We primarily serve Dakota County and have been expanding more into Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
