Dear Minot:
If there’s ever been a question, the events of this week prove once again that Minot is still the Magic City.
Unfortunately, we witnessed the abrupt closing of Project BEE, a local non-profit agency that provided a number of vital community services, including a winter warming center, a diaper pantry, an emergency homeless shelter, and many more programs that serve a wide range of clients in the Minot area.
The events of this week have raised so many questions. What’s the long-term viability of Project BEE as an organization? What will happen with the former staff members? What’s the status of the Broadway Circle Family Shelter and low-to-moderate income housing project that is under construction?
As more information comes to light, we’ll learn more about those long-term questions and issues in due time.
The immediate concern, of course, is what happens to the members of our community who rely on those services? With Project BEE’s closing, would they have a place to stay? Would families who need diapers or other day-to-day items be able to access those products?
The former Project BEE employees, who are now volunteering their time, continue to do everything in their power to serve their clients. They’ve done everything from babysit children of clients to gathering necessary supplies to reaching out to other agencies for assistance. They continue to work long days because they love their jobs, and they care about their clients.
To no one’s surprise, the Magic City has responded in a big way this week. With Project BEE’s building closed, a temporary location was secured for the shelter and warming center. Numerous other agencies and private businesses quickly became drop-off locations for diapers and other necessities.
Minot residents also responded to the situation by providing items needed to continue the services lost with Project BEE’s closure. We’ve seen photos and videos of stacks of diaper packages and other essential items. If there’s a specific need, our community is working together to fill it.
Honestly, is anyone shocked that our community stepped up during an emergency situation? Not at all. If you’re surprised by our community’s overwhelming and positive response this week, you haven’t been paying attention throughout Minot’s history. As a community, this is what we do. Helping each other is a thread that runs through this city, and that thread links all of us together.
The magic of Minot is its residents. It always has been. It’s in the very DNA of this community. I couldn’t be more proud to be your mayor than during incidents like this, because it shows the true character of our residents and our entire community. To those affected by this week’s unfortunate events, please remember that your community is here for you. We stand with you, and we are committed to helping in any way we can moving forward.
Thank you to those who have provided assistance this week, whether you’ve dropped of donations, volunteered to help at the shelter, or are a member of a local agency, organization, or board that is working to provide immediate and long-term assistance to the residents who rely on these services.
If you’re looking to help, several area agencies will be releasing information about the best ways to donate, whether it’s financially or by providing items that are needed. Thank you for your continued support during this difficult time.
There is magic in Minot. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.