A neighbor receiving a hot meal on the streets of Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN — a neighbor receives a hot meal on a street run
Serving Minneapolis since 2019 · 100% volunteer-run

Every dollar. Every item.
Goes straight to the streets.

Founded by Susan Vickerman and her daughter Emma Bennett, Our Giving Tree takes to the streets of Minneapolis each month with hot meals, warm clothing, hygiene kits, and essential supplies — bringing dignity and care directly to our unhoused neighbors.

2019
Serving since
65–70
Meals served each run
Monthly
Street runs, year-round
100%
Volunteer-run
$0
Admin overhead
Our Giving Tree
Our Giving Tree
Minneapolis · Est. 2019
Our Mission

At Our Giving Tree, our mission is to restore dignity and inspire hope by delivering basic needs to the homeless community.

"Our Giving Tree was founded on a simple belief: every person deserves to be seen. Since 2019, we've taken to the streets of Minneapolis each month to deliver hot meals, warm clothing, and essential supplies directly to our unhoused neighbors — no barriers, no paperwork, just neighbors caring for neighbors."

SV
Susan Vickerman
Co-founder & President
Susan's deep compassion for the unhoused community sparked the idea for Our Giving Tree. What began as a personal commitment to show up and help has grown into a monthly operation that touches hundreds of lives across Minneapolis.
🏅 State Certified
MN Dept. of Health — Certified Food Protection Manager
No. FM60661 · Valid through 10/05/2027
EB
Emma Bennett
Co-founder
Emma joined her mother from the very beginning, turning a shared desire to give back into something lasting. Together, this mother-daughter duo has built a community of volunteers united by a simple mission: show up and serve.
Hot meals prepared for the street run Kids helping pack supply kits Volunteers with packed supply kits

This is where we show up

Our neighbors are living in tents along Minneapolis streets and rail lines, in parks and underpasses. They're not invisible to us. Every month, rain or snow, we pull up and bring everything we can carry — because showing up consistently is what builds trust.

Tent encampment in Minneapolis
📦
Donate goods
Drop off or arrange pickup
🧦
Socks / Underwear
All sizes, new only
🧤
Gloves / Hats
Winter weight
🔋
AA & AAA batteries
Any brand
🧴
Hygiene Kits / Toiletries
Travel or full size
🧥
Warm Coats
M–XL most needed
💧
Water
Bottled, any size
Gatorade
Any flavor
🥤
Soda
Cans or bottles
🍫
Protein Bars / Snacks
Non-perishable
🎁
Gift Cards — Target, Cub Foods, McDonald's
Any denomination
Gas Cards — Speedway, Holiday, BP
Any denomination

Questions about donating goods?

Contact Susan at 612-508-7829 or email ourgivingtreemn@gmail.com to arrange a drop-off or pickup.

What our volunteers say
Our Giving Tree is a wonderful organization that was born from a deep desire to help feed our underserved and unhoused communities in the Twin Cities metro area. It started with a mother and daughter duo who after helping feed their local community wanted to do more with the resources that they and their community have. I have helped them both prep, organize, and hand meals out (along with other items). For me, it is a great way to help and give directly to people who need it the most.
JF
Jessa Ford
Volunteer
It is amazing to watch and witness the passion that Susan and Emma have for serving the homeless on the streets and at encampments. What started as a small idea of helping to pass out meals to people they saw on the street several years ago, continues to grow. Everyone was so grateful for the meals and items we had to pass out. Though it is small compared to the greater needs these individuals have, what matters most is the warm smiles and kind words shared both ways — that people are seen, shown love, and know they are valued. Many people asked, 'Are you with a church?' And of course, there were many thank yous.
JC
Jill Cornell
Volunteer
The care that Emma, Sue and team put into making and delivering meals and essentials to those experiencing homelessness is amazing. High quality, hot, homemade meals and everything people need…even gifts during the holidays! Their hearts are enormous and they are so respectful of the people they serve. Sue makes connections at every homeless encampment and listens to their needs. It has been an honor to be involved in such a meaningful organization built on compassion, dedication and true kindness.
KD
Kris Dunlap
Volunteer
Contact
Susan Vickerman
612-508-7829
Organization
Our Giving Tree
Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit
EIN: 39-3208017
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Street runs monthly, year-round
Serving since 2019
Our Organization

Board of Directors

SV
Susan Vickerman
Co-founder & President
EB
Emma Bennett
Co-founder, Secretary & Treasurer
KB
Kit Bennett
Board Member
SV
Scott Vickerman
Board Member
About Our Logo

Our logo was designed by Ryan Grover. The darker blue colors represent stability, health and healing, and the lighter teal represents hope. The terracotta orange — a color of action — is associated with warmth, hospitality and the hearth, which suggests a warm meal and a place to stay.