The loss of jobs, rising foreclosure rates, and an extraordinary level of financial instability have had a broad and deep impact on Minnesotans. Many who have never before struggled with homelessness or hunger are now facing the same issues as traditionally low-income populations. A Response to a Crisis Minnesota Community Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation, along with key partners, have allocated over $2 million to a new Community Economic Relief Fund that was created in response to the economic downturn. The response effort will help support traditionally low-income populations, as well as those who have only recently become economically vulnerable. We already know that the need far exceeds our available resources, and we hope to double the size of the fund so we can respond to escalating needs in a timely way. The Foundations are partnering with specific nonprofits that have the capacity to reach thousands of people who are desperately in need of support. The first key investment areas of this response include: • Housing stability: programs to prevent foreclosure, find people stable housing and avoid homelessness. • Hunger relief: efforts that support the increased numbers of adults and children accessing food shelves and banks. • Emergency financial counseling: programs that provide people with guidance about budgeting, debt relief and avoiding bankruptcy. Future key areas that the Community Economic Relief Fund will support include healthcare, mental health, and jobs and training. Our Combined Impact Your investment in the Community Economic Relief Fund—West Metro Response will leverage support for grants to organizations like AccountAbility Minnesota, Second Harvest Heartland or FamilyMeans—organizations that directly support individuals and families across the West Metro who are struggling with hunger and financial issues during this recession. Through our combined resources and efforts, more organizations will increase their service capacity, enhance their service delivery models, and have adequate resources to staff the growing needs of their clientele. Your financial partnership with the Community Economic Relief Fund—West Metro Response will help provide relief to our statewide community and provide hope and stability to those in the West Metro who are most in need.