Minneapolis church Iglesia Dios Habla Hoy primarily serves a Hispanic congregation. When Pastor Sergio Amezcua noticed his community growing especially vulnerable to an intense surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the area, he knew he had to do something.
“They’re afraid to go out. They’re not going to work. And some of them are starving,” Amezcua told KARE 11 News.
“It looks like they’re responding to a hurricane catastrophe,” he said of the hundreds of volunteers packing non-perishable goods for the community. “But it is a mental catastrophe what the government is doing with us in Minnesota.”
The efforts began in mid-December, when ICE agents began infiltrating the Twin Cities.
“We know that the current situation has made it difficult for many to go out or meet basic needs. As a church, we want to be close to you and demonstrate Christ’s love in practical ways,” DHH shared in a Facebook post on December 8. “If you are in need of pantry delivery right now, we are here to serve you.”
Pastor Sergio Amezcua. Photo courtesy of Iglesia Dios Habla Hoy
Included in the post was a link for people to sign up for free grocery delivery. Those affected include people who are legal citizens and residents of the area, though their immigration status is of no concern to apply for assistance.
“They don’t have to go out if they’re scared,” Amezcua told KARE 11.
Within two days, hundreds of boxes of groceries had already been packed. And 2,000 people had signed up for help.
“Thanks to God, thanks to Manna Market, thanks to all the volunteers from the church and the people from the community who came and showed up to distribute in the middle of a storm, distributing 200 boxes,” Amezcua said in a video on December 10.
“Yes, it is not an easy task, but I know that the families who needed them received them. Now, today we are going to put together more boxes.”
They haven’t stopped since.
And with escalating ICE tensions across Minnesota, the effort has only grown.
As of Martin Luther King Jr. Day , about 24,000 families have registered for help. Amezcua told MPR News that the church has delivered 12,000 boxes of groceries in about six weeks. These days, they are packing 1,300 boxes a day with the help of around 400 volunteers.
“They need help,” Amezcua told MPR. “We still have a lot to do.”
The church purchases the food through donation networks like Second Harvest Heartland and The Food Group, and many community members have supported the efforts with monetary donations. Amezcua said they plan to continue for as long as there is a need.
“From a conservative pastor, what Donald Trump and the White House is doing is horrible, and we feel betrayed by him,” Amezcua told KARE 11.
“Our immigrant community, and Latinos, especially Somalis, are going through hell,” he added. “That’s not the America that we know.”
But the outpouring of support from volunteers and community members proves to Amezcua there is a path forward — one defined by love and goodwill.
Even the local police force has been of assistance, Amezcua said.
“We’re really grateful to the local authorities, like the mayor. And the chief of police, Brian O’Hara, has been sending [community service officers] to help us distribute food to our Minneapolis residents,” he told MPR News.
“We’re doing it by the grace of God,” he added, “and by the help of thousands of volunteers that we have in our network.”
Locals interested in volunteering can go to the Minneapolis church at 5728 Cedar Avenue South on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. Once there, they will go through a security protocol and get started packing goods.
And anyone interested in donating can support the church’s efforts through its website.
“You are not alone,” the church shared in its original social media post in December. “We are praying for you and your household.”
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Header image by Julia M Cameron via Pexels
