Volunteers pack backpacks for 15,000 students in need

WCCO and Xcel Energy are featuring several non-profits that have volunteer opportunities for Xcel's Day of Service. Kids in Need Foundation in Little Canada uses donations and volunteers to help pack backpacks for kids and boxes of school supplies for teachers at schools in need. Organizations or teams who want to help don't have to go to the company's location. They can also send supplies and boxes off-site for groups to organize their own events. To learn more click here.

• Sep 12
• 03:35

Therapeutic riding program helps people with disabilities go horseback riding

Thousands of people are putting office work aside to support 46 different nonprofits as part of the Xcel Energy Day of Service.

• Sep 11
• 02:47

How Dress to Success Wearhouse helps empower women

"Confidence is core in what we do, and I think we are talking about a woman's confidence in her experience, her network and how she presents herself for an interview and on the job," Megan Meuli, vice president of development at Dress for Success, said.

• Sep 10

A simple closet refresh could change someone's life

Planning to clean out your closet? Your second-hand clothes could help change someone's life for the better. Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield explains how.

• Sep 10
• 02:57

Bridging Minnesota provides struggling families with furniture

Bridging welcomes roughly 120 families every week to its warehouse. Manager Diana Dalsin says the organization needs enough donations to fill 15 truckloads every week to meet demand.

• Sep 9

Minnesota nonprofit helps struggling families furnish their homes

This week, WCCO is teaming up with Xcel Energy for the company's Day of Service. It's a chance for all of us, and all of you, to find ways to give back to the community. As Jonah Kaplan reports, one project helps build furniture for those in need. But in the process, it builds something that may be even more important.

• Sep 9
• 02:06

Nonprofit feeds community, teaches kids healthy eating

On one corner in north Minneapolis, you'll find more than just an urban farm. You'll also find opportunity, thanks to Appetite for Change.

• Sep 8

North Minneapolis nonprofit teaching and feeding the community

Appetite for Change in North Minneapolis helps deliver healthy food and skills to residents in the area. Adam Del Rosso explains.

• Sep 8
• 02:30

Minnesota organization helps students have meals on weekends

WCCO and Xcel Energy are partnering for the 2025 Day of Service. It's a chance for members of the community to sign up and volunteer as well as learn about organizations that could use your help all year long. One of those organizations is Every Meal which is based in Roseville. The group's mission is to fight child hunger by focusing on times kids may not have access to a healthy meal, especially on weekends when they aren't eating school lunch. Volunteers help discreetly deliver food to the backpacks of kids from Pre-K through 8th grade experiencing food insecurity at about 375 schools across Minnesota. Volunteer opportunities include packing food bags to helping distribute and more. Every Meal estimates it serves more than 12,000 kids every week. The Xcel Energy 2025 Day of Service takes place Sept. 11-13.

• Sep 7
• 03:58

St. Paul bike shop gives helping hand to teens entering workforce

By all indications, St. Paul's Express Bike Shop lives up to its name, selling and repairing bikes, but there's so much more to what they do.

• Sep 12, 2024

360 Communities food shelves seek volunteers, donations as demand explodes

In its 50-plus years, 360 Communities has been serving others. And president and CEO Jeff Mortenson says things are only getting busier.

• Sep 11, 2024

360 Communities serving metro for 50+ years

As part of Xcel's day of service this Friday, we're highlighting local organizations that make a difference. Our Adam Duxter takes us to Burnsville where 360 Communities is using food to go much further.

• Sep 11, 2024
• 02:06

Nonprofit gives Latino community healthy, culturally appropriate food

Every Wednesday, CLUES holds its weekly food shelter "Canasta Familiar," providing fresh produce, healthy and culturally appropriate food, primarily for Latino families.

• Sep 10, 2024

CLUES provides variety of resources for Minnesotan Latinos

As part of Xcel Energy's day of service this Friday, we're highlighting local organizations that make a difference. This week, Xcel volunteers will be helping out at CLUES, an organization that provides food, housing resources, English classes and mental health services for Minnesotan Latinos.

• Sep 10, 2024
• 02:58

St. Paul's Urban Roots is helping people grow food and job skills

A St. Paul nonprofit is providing fresh veggies in the city's food deserts, all while cultivating confidence and job skills.

• Sep 9, 2024

Volunteers team up for Xcel Energy's Day of Service

Volunteers from WCCO, Xcel Energy, and throughout the Twin Cities came together today in south Minneapolis. Photojournalist Dave Schwab takes us to the Sabathani Community Center to find the driving force behind the effort.

• Sep 9, 2023
• 01:57

Volunteers metro-wide pitch in to help out on Xcel Energy's 13th Day of Service

Volunteers from WCCO, Xcel Energy and throughout the Twin Cities came together today in Northeast Minneapolis. They met for Xcel's annual Day of Service​, a chance for people to help others in need.

• Sep 8, 2023

Xcel Energy partnering with local Latino nonprofit CLUES for Day of Service

The goal of CLUES is to advance the social and economic well-being of all Latinos in Minnesota, through things like language programs, youth services, like mentorship to help prepare for college, food distribution and mental health and wellness programs.

• Sep 6, 2023

Meals from the Heart works to pack 2M meals annually, and give volunteers a sense of purpose

Minnesotans are going to food shelves in record numbers. There were more than 5 million visits in 2022, which is 50% more than the previous year, according to Hunger Solutions Minnesota.

• Sep 5, 2023

Sign up and volunteer during Xcel Energy's Day of Service

For information on signing up and volunteering during Xcel Energy's Day of Service, click here. ​

• Sep 4, 2023

Volunteers gather to give back in memory of 9/11

They came together at the Minneapolis Convention Center as part of Minneapolis' Day of Service​ event. The volunteers helped put together thousands of oatmeal packs that will go to families in need.

• Sep 12, 2022

Sabathani Community Center hosts Day of Service job fair

Xcel Energy's Day of Service continued at Sabathani Community Center where volunteers helped people find jobs.

• Sep 10, 2022
• 00:50

Here's how to volunteer for "Day of Service"

For more information on volunteering for the Day of Service.

• Sep 10, 2022

Xcel Energy Day of Service continues as volunteers plant trees

Dozens of staff volunteers from Xcel Energy visited the park that bears the company name Saturday, where they worked to plant close to 100 trees.

• Sep 10, 2022
• 01:41

Xcel Energy Day of Service continues as volunteers plant trees

Dozens of staff volunteers from Xcel Energy visited the park that bears the company name Saturday, where they worked to plant close to 100 trees.

• Sep 10, 2022

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