In less than two months, Neighbors Helping Neighbors grew from three friends coordinating rides to a network of 1,800+ volunteers serving the Twin Cities metro.
A leader from a Latine-led organizing entity asked Anna Stamborski and Lena Gardner to help faith communities coordinate rides for their community members.
We created a Carer Application organically and were just thinking it would sit within friends and colleagues in South Minneapolis.
More and more asks for help came in. The team created a form for neighbors needing groceries and ride support. Catherine Elliott joined to help build systems and backend work. Lyndale UCC, Brass Solidarity, and friends and family started sending money to support neighbors.
While out patrolling at Hibachi Buffet — which gave free meals to any family for weeks straight — Anna noticed two young Latinas with trunks full of toilet paper, diapers, and shelf-stable items for families getting food. Because of the trust already built, she was able to immediately transfer $500 to support that effort.
Around the same time, a friend from my neighborhood told me about someone in Powderhorn Park buying groceries for 20 families she knew, and I was able to immediately send over $1,400 to cover those costs.
— Anna, Co-founder
Grocery and ride requests averaged 3–5 per day. The team of three worked to connect every neighbor with a carer.
In the span of 12 hours, 110 requests came in from around the metro — stretching as far as St. Cloud. Volunteer interest exploded from 200 to nearly 800 in five days.
The team grew from 3 people to over 60 — vetters, connectors, and admins — all working to meet community need. Processes were evolved to be safer and more efficient at every step.
Mutual aid works best when it's fast, trusted, and coordinated — that's what we provide.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors partnered with Flourish Placemaking as fiscal sponsor, enabling more effective fundraising while still using individual donations to respond immediately to urgent needs. The team began working toward independent nonprofit status.
To expand capacity and strengthen community partnerships, NHN added Whittier Alliance as a second fiscal sponsor — enabling additional fundraising channels and deeper roots in the neighborhoods we serve.
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This work proves what we already knew: neighbors want to help each other. They just need a way to do it quickly, safely, and together.
"We connect neighbors who need help with neighbors who can help — quickly and safely."
"We went from 200 to nearly 800 volunteers in five days. The community response surged alongside the need."
"Mutual aid works best when it's fast, trusted, and coordinated — that's what we provide."
Join our growing network of caring neighbors. All skills and availability welcome.
Become a CarerDonations help cover groceries, rides, and essential needs for families across the metro.
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