Plymouth Nonprofit Focuses on Mental and Physical Health
A Plymouth-based nonprofit focused on improving mental and physical health is gaining traction. The Need In Deed and its leaders say it takes care of both the community and its volunteers.
President and co-founder Sushmi Aggarwal said The Need In Deed was created after the pandemic in response to the needs of her neighbors.
She also felt it was her duty to help.
“If we are thankful for what we have, it is kind of upon us to share it with others,” Aggarwal said.
The Need In Deed has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities focused on well-being. Some are activity-based for girls in Intermediate School District 287. Other efforts are focused on seniors, like mindful conversations with those in memory care and birthday celebrations for seniors who survived substance abuse.
Aggarwal said the group has a college health fund for Minneapolis College. She said leaders at the school can dip into the funds for students who may need health assistance while in school. She hopes this addresses other barriers students face.
“Oftentimes, these students can get financial aid or a merit-based scholarship, but there was nothing to take care of their health need,” Aggarwal said.
A stand-up poster for The Need In Deed.
Caring for Volunteers
There’s also free yoga for the community and Be Kind to Your Mind, a women’s support group, which meets at different locations each month.
“There is no topic that is not discussable,” said Leena Khurana, a board member. “It’s a safe place; it’s a personal place for all the ladies to bring out their stories.”
For the most recent Be Kind to Your Mind meetup, Khurana hosted the women at PickleX, a pickleball business in Plymouth. That evening, volunteers got a chance to recharge and take care of themselves through conversation. It’s an open space for dialogue — and a friendly pickleball competition.
“If you are physically fit, you are mentally fit, and of course, vice-versa. If you are mentally fit, you have the energy to go ahead and be physically fit,” Khurana said.
Khurana said it’s important for the volunteers to help themselves before helping others.
You can learn more about The Need In Deed, its initiatives and how you can get involved on its website.
Volunteers let off steam with a game of pickleball. This, Khurana said, is a part of their mission for wellness.
