WDIO Creating Change | www.WDIO.com

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

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 (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 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 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

Community Action Duluth launching mobile market to help with food insecurity

Community Action Duluth is launching a new service to help those struggling with food insecurity called the Mobile Market. It's described as a grocery store on wheels. The refrigerated truck will be stocked with fresh produce, pantry staples, dairy products and more.

Overwhelming turnout for free food giveaway at DECC

Local labor union groups teamed up to host a large food distribution event Thursday at the DECC. The turnout was overwhelming that they had to start the event early because of traffic blocking the street and highway.

from left to right: Steve Rankila (DECC), Jake Magdzas (DECC), Scott Van Daele (CHUM), Roger Reinert (DECC).

The DECC donates over 4,000 pounds of food to CHUM

The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center donated 4,186 pounds of frozen food to CHUM to help residents in need.

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northland still serving during pandemic

During the pandemic, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northland have been making constant changes to still provide safe spaces for youth.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northland have made many changes during the pandemic.

Miller Hill Subaru donates cozy blankets to the Steve O'Neil Apartments

Miller Hill Subaru donated 80 cozy blankets on Friday to the residents of the Steve O'Neil Apartments, as part of the Subaru Share the Love event.

Miller Hill Subaru donated 80 cozy blankets to the residents of the Steve O'Neil Apartments in Duluth as part of their Love Promise.

Breezy Point 5K donates over $55,000 to Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge

Breezy Point donated a check totaling $58,813 they raised from their 12th annual 5K race to the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge.

The Northern Lights Foundation supports families with sick kids

The Northern Lights Foundation exists to ease the financial strain on families with children who have life threatening illnesses. They give grants with no strings attached.

The Northern Lights Foundation gives grants to families with children who have life threatening illnesses.

Life House serves annual Fall Harvest Feast

Life House held their annual Fall Harvest Feast for youth without a home, with the help of Rotary 25. They served the meal in an out the door style for social distancing.

LIfe House offers Safe Harbor for victims of trafficking and exploitation

Life House's Safe Harbor programs offer housing and support for victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Sol House has been in Duluth for more than five years now.

Life House lifts up LGBTQ youth

On Transgender Day of Remembrance, Life House is making sure LGBTQ youth are lifted up and supported. Of the more than 900 youth they served in 2019, 20% identify as LGBTQ.

About 20% of the youth Life House served in 2019 identify as LGBTQ.

Instead of big tree, Minnesota Power donates to nonprofits

Instead of putting up the big tree in the plaza, Minnesota Power is donating $10,000 worth of needed supplies to local nonprofits. Youth at Life House will receive gift bags with winter gear like mittens, socks and hand warmers.

Gift bags were filled with winter supplies like mittens and hand warmers.

Life House registry for winter and hygiene needs

Life House, a nonprofit that serves homeless and at risk youth, has a charity registry at Target for their winter and hygiene needs.

Life House has a charity registry at Target.

Life House, Community School Collaborative partner during pandemic

Life House and the Duluth Community School Collaborative are working together during the pandemic to make sure at-risk youth still have the support they need.

The Denfeld After School Happenings program can't meet in person, but some of the teens involved will be invited to learn about Life House's services.

Davion's curiosity creates change

A Duluth 10-year-old who saw a couple homeless people on the side of the road was motivated to act. Davion baked cookies and raised almost $1,000 to buy supplies for Life House and other organizations.

Community Action Duluth invites you to Dream Big event

Instead of their annual fundraising luncheon, Community Action Duluth is generating buzz and funds through their first ever Dream Big event, which is virtual.

Community Action Duluth is launching their Dream Big event to raise money, virtual style.

CHUM's efforts to keep homeless safe during winter with warming centers

CHUM has efforts in place to keep the homeless safe from the frigid cold ahead. Warming centers will be opening next week at CHUM and City Center West.

CHUM food shelf continuing mission to feed families in need during COVID-19

The CHUM food shelf has always helped families in need with food but during COVID-19 they have stepped up even more with the community need to feed more and more families.

Woman shares positive impact Steve O' Neil Apartments has had on her family

The Steve O' Neil apartments are a safe home to families who have experienced homelessness. It's a place families go to get a second chance in life. A bright example of that is Shaminita Tims, who has turned her life around since moving there.

CHUM keeping the homeless safe during COVID-19

Homelessness comes with countless challenge, especially in the middle of a health pandemic. CHUM has adapted to the times, with help from the community so that homeless people can have a safe place to go.

Second Harvest's BackPack Program feeding children during pandemic

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank's BackPack Program is adjusting to still meet the needs of hungry children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Second Harvest's NAPS program helping seniors during pandemic

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank is making it easier for seniors to access good, healthy food through their Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors or NAPS program.

Second Harvest holding their NAPS program at Asbury United Methodist Church

Second Harvest helping families in need through CFAP distributions

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank is helping families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic through their Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) distributions.

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

Second Harvest volunteers stepping up during pandemic

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.