You should send money. I know most people don’t like sending money to random, unvetted recipients. But here’s why you should do that now.

All over Minneapolis there are neighboorhood groups on the ground helping people who have gone into hiding because of ICE. Hiding is isolating and scary. They cannot go to their jobs, they can’t take their kids to school, they can’t access their community support system.

Most of us can’t go to Minneapolis, but we can help by sending money to help care for these families. There are small organizations helping, and sometimes it’s one or two people. I know this because I found a very thorough list of ways to help, and I sent money to as many places as I could.

I know what you’ll say: How do you know the money is helping? Maybe it’s a scam. Maybe it’s wasted.

You’re right. There are no guarantees. But it’s a risk you should take. Because the only way to let the people of Minneapolis know how much support they have from around the US is to send money.

Ten dollars matters. It adds up fast, and it’s not that risky for any one donor.
A small donation tells someone in hiding that they have support. It also tells the person caring for the family that they’re not doing the job alone. Think of it as a vote. $10 so your voice is heard.

I tell you this from firsthand experience. I’ve been on both sides.

I was at the World Trade Center when it fell, and afterwards I received a lot of aid. In hindsight it wasn’t so much the amount of the aid as the timing (fast!) and the kindness that came with it. Even three weeks later I could barely shower. I had no idea how I’d ever make money again. Aid in crisis is a bridge that keeps life from falling apart. I had the Red Cross, but the people in Minneapolis are in hiding. They can’t access large organizations right now.

I also have experience caring for a family who came to the US with nothing. I kept telling myself I wouldn’t spend more money but I’d go to the house and see that the little girl had only three crayons. Or the family had hot dogs but no buns. There were so many things I could do to make their days a little better. And I saw what a difference it made. Parents want more than anything to be able to care for their kids. I was giving them resources to feel like a family.

Sometimes I didn’t like what they did with the money I gave them. I thought the birthday party was extravagant. I thought makeup shouldn’t have been a priority. But if the roles were reversed, I’m sure people would have found fault with how I spent money.

This family taught me that spending money is very personal. There’s dignity in giving someone the chance to make their own financial decisions. You probably would not have spent as much money on the family as I did. There were two trips to Ikea. And then they moved and couldn’t take the furniture.

But I wasn’t upset. I was one of the only people helping them, and I was happy they found a place where they could get more help. I was happy I had the experience of getting to know them by knowing what they needed. And I was happy to let them know that someone here cares about them and wants them to succeed.

You’ll have that warm feeling if you send money to Minneapolis. Regardless of what someone chooses to do with the money.