Hennepin Healthcare Patients to Benefit from Meet Minneapolis Warm Winter Clothing Drive
Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 2:03PM
Meet Minneapolis – along with its tourism, hospitality, and community partners – donated more than $22,000 of warm winter clothes
Today, January 9, at Hennepin Healthcare’s Clinic and Specialty Center, the third annual Meet Minneapolis Warm Winter Clothing Drive wrapped up with more than $22,000 worth of new clothes donated for distribution to patients in need. Since mid-November, Meet Minneapolis, its tourism and hospitality partner businesses, community businesses, and individuals came together to provide much-needed clothing items that will assist Hennepin Healthcare in its mission to discharge patients with dignity.
“We are incredibly grateful for this outpouring of generosity from our community partners,” said Melvin Tennant, Meet Minneapolis President and CEO. “It’s not just about physical comfort – these donations provide a sense of hope that can be transformative. In just the third year of this clothing drive, the amount of warm clothes donated has more than tripled. The success of this initiative highlights the compassion of the Minneapolis community and its commitment to helping neighbors in need.”
From November 18, 2024 to January 6, 2025, Meet Minneapolis collected new, warm clothes to be donated to Hennepin Healthcare. Many Hennepin Healthcare patients have financial challenges. Some patients have damaged clothing after being involved in an accident or clothing has been removed to access wounds. Others may not have adequate clothing for the cold weather. Meet Minneapolis staff, board members and partner businesses, and other community businesses donated new coats, boots, pants, tops, mittens, scarves, socks, and more.
“The donations we receive through this clothing drive truly impact the lives of our patients,” explained Hennepin Healthcare CEO Jennifer DeCubellis. “For many of the individuals we serve, winter can be a time of immense hardship. The generosity shown through this drive means that more of our patients will have the basic resources they need to stay safe and warm. Meet Minneapolis and everyone who participated in this initiative are making a real difference.”
Several Meet Minneapolis partners were significant contributors to the Warm Winter Clothing Drive. They include Hyatt Regency Minneapolis; Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot; The Marquette Hotel & Windows at Marquette; Courtyard Minneapolis Downtown, Creekside Apartments, Stearns Bank; and the Minnesota Vikings.
“One of the roles of Meet Minneapolis is to bring people together in ways that make a tangible, positive impact on our city. With this effort, the team goes beyond visitors and convention attendees and engages our community members,” stated Tabitha Montgomery, Meet Minneapolis Board Chair and Executive Director of the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association. “This clothing drive is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together toward a common goal. We acknowledge that similar initiatives are supported by other organizations across the city, and hope that our collective efforts can inspire others to take action, especially as winter months pose significant challenges for many in our community.”
“The Warm Winter Clothing Drive exemplifies the heart and spirit of our city,” said Ka Vang, Meet Minneapolis Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access. “This collaboration between Meet Minneapolis, Hennepin Healthcare, and our tourism and hospitality industry is a shining example of how we can come together to ensure that everyone in our community has what they need to thrive. I’m proud to see Minneapolis lead with kindness and generosity.”
