Friends of the Mill District is now Be That Neighbor

Article by Becky Fillinger

Name change better reflects the nonprofit's expanded vision

The Friends of the Mill District nonprofit formed in 2015 when a group of friends began a conversation about Minneapolis’ Mill District and the broader community in downtown Minneapolis. The vision was that their programming be free of charge and available to every resident, including the disadvantaged and others who sometimes feel invisible.

Their programs grew over the past five years to include a community choir (the Mill City Singers), Yoga in Gold Medal Park, meals and donations for those experiencing homelessness, support for Cedar Riverside youth programs, Community Conversations and more. The mission to build community by ‘connecting, convening, and supporting’ neighbors hasn’t changed.

What changed was a need to refine the nonprofit’s focus.

Claudia KittockClaudia Kittock, Board Chair, explains, “When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we decided to create a Facebook page where we could post community needs in real time. The name Be That Neighbor was simple and described our work. As the Facebook page exploded, we realized the name also better reflected the work we have been doing as a charity. Be That Neighbor gives us a clearer focus, and while the Mill District is home for several of us, our focus is not geographic. It is about being a good neighbor in every way we can.”

Jennifer Weber

Jennifer Weber, Board Member, also notes the broader mission of Be That Neighbor: “Friends of the Mill District has been an incredible neighbor at the heart of all the work and support we have provided across the Twin Cities for the last four years. The name change gives new energy and purpose to inspire us all to be the best neighbors we can be without being confined by a geographic title.”

The nonprofit is currently collecting nominations for Good Neighbors. In October, they’ll celebrate ‘A Neighbor A Day’. Know someone you'd like to nominate? Send your nominations to: 

https://millcitytimes.survey.fm/nominate-a-good-neighbor

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About Becky Fillinger

I’ve been a resident of the Mill District only since July 2019, but have visited the Guthrie, the Farmers Market, restaurants and friends in the area for many years prior to making the leap to Minneapolis. I’ve lived in many places (and climates) in the US and can testify that our cultural events, bicycle and hiking trails, parks and green spaces, museums, diverse neighborhoods and wonderful restaurants put Minnesota and Minneapolis high on my best places list. I’m a member of the Mill City Singers and look forward to our choir practices and performances.

One of my main interests is community - a very broad concept. For me it means bringing people together with common interests to form meaningful relationships. I look forward to reporting on businesses and individuals in our neighborhoods. Feel free to drop me an email at becky_fillinger@hotmail.com with your thoughts and ideas for stories.