How to help now that St. Paul says not to hand out cash from your car to people in need

St. Paul just launched its Be The Solution campaign aimed at reducing panhandling in the city. Using signs, the city warns drivers, “For everyone’s safety, don’t give in roadways.” Instead, the city is encouraging people to donate to “structured support systems” to help unhoused or struggling members of our community.

“We know and work with people who can’t feed and house their families or are battling addiction.” Said Marsha Carter, founder and working director of Beyond the Dance Network , a non-profit located in St. Paul. “We have the passion and compassion to serve these individuals.”

Beyond the Dance Network is an example of a structured support system that can help. The nonprofit reaches out directly to people experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities, giving food, clothing and resources and partners with organizations providing housing to fill those spaces with furniture, linens, dishes and other home necessities.

“What I am seeing now in the Twin Cities is a homeless community that is getting younger.” Carter said. “We want to restore hope and possibility so people understand this doesn’t have to be their life’s journey. I am also seeing Veterans who need help and connection to resources.”

Carter’s compassion stems from her personal experience. She was one of five children raised by a single mom. “We were never homeless, but we sure struggled to pay bills and put food on the table. I also saw what my homeless friends went through, so I have this need to help.” Carter said.

Founded in 2015, Beyond the Dance Network originally focused on women and children in Twin Cities’ shelters, providing dance to relieve the anxiety and pressure of homelessness. When COVID-19 hit, Beyond the Dance Network took a step back and decided to bring resources to people who were unhoused or dealing with barriers to help, like addiction or a criminal background. The nonprofit then bridged the gap with pop-up events providing food and clothing near St. Paul organizations like Dorothy Day Center and the Union Gospel Mission.

The nonprofit’s Beyond New Distribution Center opened in March of 2023 and houses donation items and gently used clothing, including business attire for people leaving incarceration and re-entering the workplace.

“New funding allows us to reach more people in need.” Carter said. “Right now, with our staff and volunteers, we need more space and we need a moving truck. At the same time, we’re not going to stop doing the work. We just do the best we can.”

Carter and the volunteers at Beyond the Dance Network are hosting a pop-up event at the nonprofit’s headquarters in St. Paul on Saturday, Sept. 28, to provide low-cost back-to-school clothes for kids, food and community resources.

Community Pop-Up Event

Saturday, Sept. 28
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Beyond New Distribution Center
713 Minnehaha Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106

Join us to shop low-cost clothes and shoes for the entire family, a kids’ craft table and beef hot dogs .