Members Cooperative Credit Union spreads holiday cheer with 12 Days of Giving campaign
Initiative Donates $30,000 to Twelve Area Non-Profits in Annual Holiday Tradition
Members Cooperative Credit Union’s annual 12 Days of Giving initiative comes at a time when need in our communities is especially high, providing $30,000 in donations to local non-profit organizations. Each of Members’ 12 branches helps choose a community organization to receive $2,500. These donations will support the needs and essential services these non-profits provide to people in our communities.
The 2025 recipients are:
Day One: Twin Ports Thanksgiving Day Buffet, BlueStone branch
A cherished community tradition, the annual Twin Ports Thanksgiving Day Buffet offers a warm and welcoming holiday meal to residents across the region, completely free of charge. Guests can enjoy a festive meal together at the DECC, and homebound individuals in Duluth, Superior, Proctor, Hermantown, Esko, Cloquet, and Two Harbors can receive a delivered Thanksgiving dinner right to their door. The event helps ensure that no one in the Northland goes without a comforting meal. To support this tradition, you can visit the Twin Ports Thanksgiving Buffet website to make a donation.
Day Two: Bridges of Hope, Baxter branch
Bridges of Hope serves families and individuals throughout Crow Wing County and surrounding communities with compassion and practical support. They connect people facing short-term challenges with resources they need to regain stability and hope. Their work includes operating Common Goods thrift stores, providing meals for kids during school breaks through Operation Sandwich, and offering a safe overnight warming shelter for adults experiencing homelessness at The Bridge on 7th. Bridges of Hope gratefully welcomes donations, which can be made online to support their mission.
Day Three: Moose Lake Food Shelf, Moose Lake branch
Moose Lake Food Shelf is a local, all-volunteer food pantry dedicated to supporting individuals and families in Moose Lake and the surrounding areas of southern Carlton and northern Pine counties. Their mission is to offer compassionate, dignified food assistance to anyone facing hardship. You can help nourish neighbors in need by dropping off food donations or by making a financial gift through their GiveMN page.
Day Four: Aitkin Youth Center, Aitkin branch
Supporting the Aitkin Youth Center helps give local teens a place to belong—a welcoming space where they can unwind, connect, learn new skills, and grow in a positive environment. Our donation, along with yours, will help keep their doors open, meals flowing, and essential resources available to youth who need them most. To make a difference, you can offer a tax-deductible gift through their GiveMN page.
Day Five: Salvation Army, Cloquet branch
The Salvation Army in Cloquet serves as a lifeline for residents of Carlton County. Their food shelf provides emergency food assistance to neighbors in need, and their seasonal programs like AdoptAFamily and the Red Kettle Campaign bring hope and joy to local families during the holidays. Your support, combined with ours, helps sustain these vital programs and makes a real difference in our community. Donate today and help brighten lives in Carlton County.
Day Six: Family Pathways – North Branch Food Shelf, North Branch officeÂ
Family Pathways, based in North Branch, Minnesota, is dedicated to strengthening communities across multiple counties. They operate nine food shelves, a mobile food delivery program, and home delivery services, ensuring no one goes hungry. Beyond food, they provide crucial support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, offering advocacy, crisis intervention, and shelter. They also assist older adults and caregivers with homemaking services and educational programs. Your support helps Family Pathways continue this vital work. Make a financial gift today through their GiveMN page and make a difference in someone’s life.
Day Seven: Center Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (CASDA), Spirit Valley branch
CASDA is dedicated to providing compassionate support and promoting healing for anyone affected by domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse. Their services are available to people of all ages, genders and backgrounds, ensuring that everyone impacted by abuse has a safe space to turn to. While their primary focus is the Twin Ports area, their advocacy and support services are open to all. You can help strengthen CASDA’s mission by volunteering your time or donating today. Together, we can help end violence and empower survivors to reclaim their lives.
Day Eight: First Call for Help, Grand Rapids branch
First Call for Help has been a trusted lifeline for Itasca County since 1974. They provide confidential, 24/7 support to anyone in need, offering crisis intervention, mental health assistance, referrals for housing, food, transportation and more. Their mobile crisis response team and crisis reception center ensure that help is always within reach for those facing emotional or mental health challenges. To help continue this critical work, make a financial gift today through their GiveMN page and provide hope and assistance to someone in crisis.
Day Nine: Kids Plus Program, McGregor branch
In a rural community like McGregor, Kids Plus helps fill important gaps by providing support, mentorship, and safe spaces where youth can learn, grow and thrive. By connecting generations, fostering character, and empowering young people to lead and serve, Kids Plus strengthens the very fabric of the community. Supporting this work isn’t just helping kids today– it’s an investment in McGregor’s future. Help young leaders emerge and the community flourish by making a donation today.
Day Ten: Family Pathways – Sandstone Food Shelf, Sandstone branch
Family Pathways is committed to strengthening communities across multiple counties and operates nine food pantries, including the Sandstone Food Shelf. With the support of caring neighbors, Family Pathways works tirelessly to address disparities and ensure everyone has the resources they need to thrive— physically, emotionally, and economically. Your gift today through their GiveMN page can help bring hope and opportunity to someone in need.
Day Eleven: Merritt Creek Academy, Miller Hill branch
Nestled in Duluth, Merritt Creek Academy is a cornerstone of Northwood Children’s Services, providing intensive day treatment for students who need extra emotional and behavioral support. Here, children benefit from a personalized mix of special education, counseling, and creative therapies, helping them grow in confidence, self-regulation, and academic skills— all while staying closely connected to their families and community. A monetary gift can help young people overcome challenges, unlock their potential, and create brighter, more hopeful futures. Donate today and make a lasting impact.
Day Twelve: Cambridge Surplus Food Distribution, Isanti branch
The Cambridge Surplus Food Distribution (CSFD) program works to fight hunger in the community by redirecting surplus food— overstocked, close-dated, or bulk items— to individuals and families in need. CSFD serves those facing crisis or living at or below federal poverty guidelines, ensuring that no one in the community goes hungry. Whether you’re seeking food assistance or looking for ways to donate, CSFD welcomes your support. Â
