Churches, Pie Makers Respond to Soothe Unrest in Minneapolis
Following the riots and protests, organizations and churches are coming together to coordinate efforts to help the community.
RPUCC Help Distribute Food In Minneapolis
Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ kicked off an effort to help families affected by George Floyd’s death by delivering food and helping out at shelters.
“Our community is really deeply committed to diversity and inclusion and justice. That’s our first and foremost thing and we’re going to work for that and struggle for that, until we find some of that justice in the world,” Rock said.
Rock said members of his congregation have been staying overnight and keeping lights on to deter damages.
“We’ve been told there’s been possible elements that are causing destruction in churches in this area,” Rock said.
The congregation wanted to protect their building mainly because they operate as a sanctuary for undocumented folks and a homeless shelter.
“We want to make sure the building’s there so we can do our ministry,” Rock explained.
Comfort Pies Being Delivered to Memorial Site
Other organizations are helping communities by spreading love through home-baked pies.
Rose McGee, the creator of sweet potato comfort pie, said numerous people will make pies to bring to the George Floyd memorial site in Minneapolis.
Sweet Potato Comfort Pies
“Certainly people cleaning up, who are working hard, we want to get some pies for them too,” McGee said.
Business owners and first responders will also get a taste of the sweet potato comfort pies.
“I believe it’s an expression of love. It’s nurturing, it’s taking care of a basic need,” Jennifer Sampson said.
Sampson is baking pies to bring to George Floyd’s memorial site on Monday. The pie delivery effort will focus on serving those in Minneapolis on Monday. Later this week, pies will be going out to people in St. Paul.
McGee added that the sweet potato comfort pie is special because it’s a sacred desert for black culture.
“We just want to make sure that justice is done, but we want people to also know that we’re all human beings and we should all able to live together,” said McGee.
