On Saturday, May 22nd the East Side Freedom Library, DocumentingMN and Connections 2 Independence will host a mutual aid drive as part of our efforts to create systems of empowerment for East Siders and bring attention to the Foster Care system as part of Foster Care Awareness Month. We’re providing perishable and nonperishable goods, a hot meal and safety kits.

Mutual aid is integral to community building and lasting support. Mutual aid is not just about individual donations, but creating an infrastructure to continue the work of uplifting communities through creating a system and network that isn’t dependent on any individual organization or person. The mutual aid drive on the 22nd will be the first in a series of sustainable mutual aid drives designed to build systems of empowerment for the people of the East Side to enable East Siders to host their own mutual aid events.

On Friday the 21st from 11 am to 4 pm we’ll accept donations at the East Side Freedom Library, and on Saturday the 22nd from 11:30 am to 5 pm we’ll be giving out the donations at the library, 1105 Greenbrier St E, St Paul, MN 55106.

We’ll provide:
– Mutual aid table/supplies
– Vaccine registration table
– Planned Parenthood STI testing inside
– Food trucks
– Pamphlets, with local Black businesses to support