Cleaning, feeding, and closing: community responds to coronavirus

A shopper passes by empty toilet paper shelves at Cub Foods on West Broadway Avenue in mid-March.

Emily Fridolfson disinfects a produce scale at North Market, which has new cleaning protocols because of the outbreak. Emily and her sister, Marbry, clean surfaces around the store at the top of each hour. It takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Pastor Edrin Williams of Sanctuary Covenant Church demonstrated to church goers a new way to greet to avoid potential contact with germs in early March. The church, like other religious institutions, is now closed to the public and offering virtual services.

Oak Park Community Center switched its free community meals to a take-out-only service. Staff marked the walkway leading to the basement door to promote social distance. Meals are available 4-6pm, Tuesdays-Thursdays at 1701 Oak Park Ave. N.

Like many religious institutions, Masjid An-Nur mosque on Lyndale Ave. N is closed to the public.

Bus driver Steve Towle reaches for milk while brothers Durell and DeRoyal Perry, right, pick up food bags outside Jenny Lind Elementary School. With classrooms closed, Minneapolis Public Schools continued free student meals.

Over the weekend of March 14, Emily’s F&M Cafe patrons started purchasing extra meals for those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cafe’s thank you notes to the donors now decorate the entrance to the cafe. Photo by Kenzie O’Keefe

As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the state, the North Minneapolis community is rallying to do its part to slow the spread of the virus and take care of those who may be most at risk.

For food, healthcare, employment, business, and other coronavirus response efforts, check out our resource list.

Photos by David Pierini Staff Reporter