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WDIO Creating Change

The Northland is a beautiful place to call home, but just like any community, we have our share of problems. Who do you see as the face of Homelessness in our community? Of Mental Health, Poverty, or Hunger? It may not be who you think.

At WDIO, With You For Life means celebrating the good times and helping with the serious issues. We are partnering with local organizations to tackle these issues head-on, to improve and coordinate our community response.

We can accomplish great things when we come together as a community. Be part of the solution to create change.

CHUM

Life House
CHUM is Duluth's primary safety-net organization where people who are homeless or who have very low incomes can come for assistance and a welcoming, safe community. It was founded in 1973 when 10 churches from Duluth's Central Hillside came together to meet the needs of the neighborhood, and now has 43 member congregations. CHUM offers emergency food, shelter, advocacy, support, and outreach throughout Duluth.

Community Action Duluth

Community Action Duluth
Community Action Duluth (CAD) is a nonprofit organization taking action to fight poverty through economic and asset-building programs, education, advocacy, anti-racism work, community engagement, and public policy advocacy. It is the mission of Community Action Duluth to empower and engage our community to eliminate poverty.

Life House

Life House
Life House provides critical basic needs and support for young people who have been left to fend for themselves. Life House provides a place of acceptance, safety, and belonging where youth can reclaim a positive, healthy and hopeful future.

Second Harvest Food Bank

Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank is a charitable non-profit and is the largest hunger-relief organization in the Northland. Each year we rescue and distribute over 6.1 million pounds of nutritious food, enough food for 4.9 million meals, to approximately 44,000 people in need. We are committed to providing nutritious food to our Northland neighbors in need, supporting their healthy lives and our healthy communities.

Creating Change Stories

Second Harvest holding their NAPS program at Asbury United Methodist Church

Second Harvest's NAPS program helping seniors during pandemic

Second Harvest's third CFAP distribution in the Wessman Arena parking lot.

Second Harvest helping families in need through CFAP distributions

A group of volunteers at Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank are stepping in to address a shortage of volunteers brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Second Harvest volunteers stepping up during pandemic

A second transportation coach to help people hit the road

Getting your driver's license can mean a whole new world of opportunity, and that's why Community Action Duluth has a program that helps people in their quest to hit the road.

CHUM distributing 1,400 backpacks to Duluth students

Hundreds of Duluth kids will be better prepared for school thanks to a community effort.

Tech Up program aims to close the digital divide

Community Action Duluth has launched a new program to help connect people without computer access with laptops and WIFI.

Community health workers another part of Community Action Duluth

There's a new program through Community Action Duluth aimed at helping people live their most healthy lives. It's called the Community Health Worker, and five women are going through the training.

Shoot For Fun fundraiser goes virtual

Instead of gathering for an all day event - there are several opportunities for teams to participate in rounds of sporting clays throughout the month of August! Teams will be able to schedule a time on Tuesday-Thursday afternoons and evenings in August.  

Second Harvest holds free food distribution event in Finland

On Wednesday, Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank hosted a free food distribution event in Finland. Volunteers distributed over 320 boxes of food for 80 households at the Clair Nelson Community Center.

CHUM reopening West Food Shelf at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

CHUM announces that beginning July 13, they are reopening their West Food Shelf location at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Even through pandemic, Life House finds housing for 35 homeless youth

Since the beginning of March when the COVID-19 pandemic picked up in Minnesota, Life House has still managed to help 35 youth find a place to live. 

Losing the Locks for CHUM raises more than $3,500

Losing the Locks for CHUM concluded Monday with Justin Liles cutting Brandon Weathers' hair on WDIO News at Six. As of Monday evening, the initiative had raised more than $3,500. 

CHUM food shelf in need of volunteers

CHUM is in need of volunteers at their food shelf to help pack the food boxes they distribute weekly to community members in need.

Wellness walks help Life House keep reaching homeless youth

In normal times, Life House's downtown building is the center of its services. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, those services have taken to the streets.

'Giving Tuesday" and 'GiveMN' helping nonprofits during COVID-19 challenges

Giving Tuesday Now is a new global day of giving and unity as a response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.

UPDATE: Northland kids raise more than $5,000 to provide food for frontline workers

The Parrott family children have exceeded their goal of $5,000 to raise money to provide food for workers on the front lines.

Feed the Love: How to help food banks on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis

WDIO is partnering with Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank to highlight food banks and personnel working on the front lines of the COVID-19 global pandemic to feed people who need it.

Thousands of pounds of food given away

Hundreds of people lined up for a free farmers market at Bent Paddle Brewery where hundreds of pounds of food were given away.

CHUM adjusts food delivery method in light of COVID-19

CHUM will still make sure people get food during this outbreak, but they are altering their delivery methods to limit large groups.

Winter is Not Over, People are Still in Need

The need to help others remains high, but donations are low this time of year.

Senior Employment Program Helping People Get Hired

Older adults have plenty to offer the workforce, but sometimes need help navigating a new path. The Senior Community Service Employment Program in Duluth is helping dozens each year find meaningful work.

Northland's Largest Baby Shower Helping Struggling Families

Life 97.3 radio station and St. Luke’s are giving back to families in need across the Twin Ports with the Northland’s Largest Baby Shower effort. Diapers, baby wipes, baby clothing can be dropped off at a number of locations throughout the month.

Career Pathways Programs Help People Learn New Skills

The career pathways training programs in Duluth are helping people identify new careers they can start. There's a new CNA class starting in February, and the city is recruiting students.