PRESS ROOM

PRISM Partners with the New Hope Farmers Market

After some good but only occasional shared experiences in 2009 (the Market's first), PRISM and the New Hope Farmers Market became full-fledged partners for 2010. That partnership has benefitted both enterprises, but those whom PRISM serves may be the greatest beneficiaries.

The Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 4300 Xylon Ave N/by Kmart.  Vendors include primarily produce (vegetable and fruit) suppliers, but other craft and food-service enterprises are present, as well. At the conclusion of each Saturday's experience, which has included some great musical groups entertaining shoppers, truly awesome excitement for seniors, some brought to the Market by PRISM Express (with the cost borne by faith partner communities), the "work" for PRISM volunteers begins. By the time this season ends (Oct. 16 is the last Saturday), friendships will be solidified between vendor and Market organizer and PRISM volunteers.

Growers donate some of their surplus produce to PRISM at the conclusion of each market. Donations are weighed, recorded (for future thank you and accounting letters), and loaded on a PRISM Express bus. The record through July 2010 for donated produce on one Saturday is 1,290 pounds, and that brings produce selection to those using the food shelf the coming week. (Without the coolers donated previously, this project would not have been possible. Thanks to those who gave and installed the refrigeration units.) Based on donations received so far, a reasonable estimate is that PRISM will receive over 6,000 pounds of produce -- that's 3 TONS -- this season.

To make this work, faith partner communities volunteer to cover one (of 18) Saturdays. The bus is the draw to an information center, where people can donate non-perishable food, funds, and other needed items (clothing, toys). Shoppers also learn about PRISM's services, and each week, about the faith partner community that is staffing the information center. Without the strong support of each of the faith partner communities, this effort would not be accomplished and those who use the food shelf would not have produce to select. However, partner support is strong, and this adventure with the New Hope Farmers' Market is one of the most consistently productive off-campus efforts PRISM volunteers undertake. It is wonderful to hear volunteers in the PRISM food shelf say to those shopping, "Take as much produce as you can use."

Thanks, New Hope Farmers Market leadership. Thanks, generous vendors. Thanks, faithful partners. This partnership works!  Click on New Hope Farmers Market Logo for full schedules and details of the market. 

PRISM Express Now Offering Shopping Trips

Get more bang for your buck!                          

PRISM Express is now offering shopping trips to Super Wal-Mart and Aldi’s, on a rotating basis, every Friday.    Cost to ride is $6 roundtrip.

Call 763-529-1252 to reserve your spot.       

Invest Northwest Awards Presented by NWHHSC

Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council honored three area residents with INVEST NORTHWEST Awards at its annual community event May 12, 2010 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Maple Grove. Tim Buck of Crystal, Alan Lindquist of Osseo and Jay Showalter of Maple Grove were recognized for their long-term volunteer endeavors in improving the lives of others in the Northwest Hennepin area.

Click here for NWHHSC press release

Golf & Silent Auction Event 2010 - Monday, August 16, 2010

You are formally invited to join us for an exciting day of golf, food, and friends to support the work of PRISM. This is a much anticipated annual event. Click on photo to see photos and results from last year's incredible event.

Golden Valley Golf & Country Club
7001 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427

click for directions

PRISM Summer Tours
Come one, come all...   

PRISM is supported by those in the community and we welcome the community.  

Do you want to learn more about PRISM and the many services and blessings provided to the community?  We are excited to offer tours this Summer for anyone who wants to learn more. 

Join us for one of these informative tours by calling PRISM at 763-529-1350. 

Ask to be added to one of the tours listed on the schedule below. 

For a map and directions, visit the Contact PRISM tab.  See you HERE!

Minnesota FoodShare and Feinstein Partial Match - March & April

All food and cash donations to PRISM will be partially matched by Minnesota Food Share and Feinstein Foundation in March.  The Feinstein Foundation will continue to partially match through April.

For more information on Minnesota FoodShare and The Feinstein Foundation, click on their logos below.  Thank You for your Support!

Job Openings:  PRISM Express Drivers Needed

All applicants for PRISM Express driving positions are hired based on direct bus driving experience, knowledge of our service areas which is Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, Brooklyn Center, Golden Valley, and eastern Plymouth (east of Hwy. 494) and all of Ramsey County, experience/comfort working with diverse populations, physical ability to assist riders on and off the bus and their packages, experience/comfort with portable col awareness training. Upon hiring, you will receive two full days of behind the wheel training.

Wages start at $11.00/hour. Weekly hours range from 20 – 30 hours a week. 

For further information on PRISM, please visit our website at www.prismmpls.org

Please email your resume and cover letter to cwhited@prismmpls.org or mail to

PRISM

attn:  Courtney L.B. Whited

730 Florida Avenue South

Golden Valley, MN 55426 

PRISM Participates in new giveMN.org Website

PRISM is excited to participate with giveMN.org, a website that brings Minnesota non-profit agencies together in one place.  The site launched on November 5th.  Click here to see the PRISM page on the site. 

IMPORTANT -- HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTING  First, congratulations to PRISM for ranking in the top 20 out of 3,400 charities receiving contributions in the "Give to the Max Day."  The over $22,000 raised was wonderful.  Contributing on line through www.GiveMn.org  is better than using the donor process on the PRISM website.  When our site is used, we pay a transaction fee and a fee to the credit company.  That means only 90 cents of every dollar reaches PRISM through our website contribution.  All fees have been paid by foundations if you use the GiveMN site, so the whole dollar reaches those for whom you contribute.  Spread that word, especially to those members and friends who use debit or credit cards on line.

Donate My Books benefits PRISM!

Donate your books to PRISM!  PRISM families will be able to get the books free and any books not provided to families will be purchased by DonateMyBooks to raise money for PRISM.  For more information about Donate My Books, visit their website at DonateMyBooks.com.

DONATE MY BOOKS drive is going well.  Here's a few hints. 

•  If your faith community wants the donated books to be reviewed and titles selected for use at PRISM, bring them to the Donation Door, and that will happen.
• If your faith community wants credit for the books donated but wishes them to go directly to the book drive for a fund-raiser for PRISM, bring them to the Donation Door, weigh them, get your receipt and, then, deposit them in the "Big Blue Box" next to the building on the parking lot side of PRISM.
• If credit is not an issue, just put your donations in the book.

 Your faith community can have your very own "Big Blue Box," if you desire one.  Go to www.DonateMyBooks.com for information on arranging for a box (and to answer any other questions).

PRISM Makes Changes in Foodshelf

We are excited about changes at PRISM to better serve families in the community.  An 8-door cooler, a 3-door cooler, and a 3-door freezer was added to the foodshelf!!  These items were donated by Joe Showalter from the Brookdale Marathon store.  A special thank you to those who provided donations for the installation of the equipment, along with further changes.  Donors included a $10,000 grant from Wells Fargo, a $5,000 grant from Hunger Solutions, and a donation from Bill & Mary McKoskey.  Thank you to Solid Refrigeration for installing the equipment and Mark Saliterman from Team Properties, owner of the PRISM facility, for support through the logistics of the project.

We are able to keep bread and produce fresher and longer with these exciting changes, providing better quality for our customers.  Be sure to stop by to see the changes next time your at PRISM.

PRISM Express awarded Ramsey & Hennepin County Contract

On October 20, 2009, we were informed that PRISM Express was awarded the MAAA (Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging) Ramsey and Hennepin Counties Transportation Coordination grant contract for 2010 – 2011. This grant contract will assist us in assisting additional senior and disabled citizens in these counties.  PRISM Express will be hiring a Transportation Coordinator to oversee this grant contract.  This person will be responsible for transportation coordination efforts that serve senior and disabled citizens in both Ramsey and Hennepin Counties including working with several other non-profits that will act as our transportation subcontractors.

New volunteer organization focuses on aiding local food shelves

Time to Give Now launched it's web site timetogivenow.org on September 14, 2009, in an effort to rally support for community food shelves, including PRISM. To combat the recent decline in donations and the increase in demand at area food shelves, the agency is setting up new food drop-off locations, and asking people to give generously. Drop sites for PRISM donations are located in Golden Valley, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, Roseville, Eden Prarie, and Bloomington. For a detailed list of drop-off locations, visit their web site at www.timetogivenow.org.

PRISM Launches Online Donations!

We are excited to provide a convenient way for you to help us provide hope to those we serve through an online contribution.  Did you know that although many types of gifts benefit PRISM, the gift of money is the most beneficial. Through a relationship with Second Harvest Heartland, PRISM is able to use $1 to purchase $5 worth of groceries!  Click on the "Donate Now" button within this article to make your first online contribution!

PRISM Express is e-x-p-a-n-d-i-n-g in May!

PRISM is in the process of filling the ever-growing need for transportation. Allianz Life has provided generous support to allow the purchase of a 29-passenger bus. The bus is beautiful with comfortable reclining cloth seats, air conditioning, and a smooth ride. The signage for this bus as well as all the other PRISM Express vehicles is designed, created, and donated by the Spangler Design Team. The new bus will roll out with its first passengers around May 18, 2009. PRISM will utilize the bus for events and rent it out for charter trips, adding a revenue stream to help sustain this and other services provided. Stay tuned for more details...

mmunications (walkie/takie/cellular phone), are subject to drug/alcohol testing, motor vehicle records check, criminal background check (goes back 7 years) and have good references.

All drivers hired by PRISM Express must complete STS certification classes within 45 days of employment, a DOT physical and a 1 hour FTA approved drug and alcoho

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