Join the Season of Giving
The spirit of giving is in the air! The Minnesota Orchestra is again partnering with Simpson Housing Services in a donation drive supporting members of the Minneapolis community experiencing homelessness.
Supply Drive
A special donation box will be set up in the Orchestra Hall lobby from November 30-December 22, beginning with our performances of Back to the Future in Concert and concluding with Elf in Concert. You’re invited to bring donations of new thermal underwear sets (men’s and women’s) and winter waterproof gloves.
You can also shop Simpson’s Target Registry and the items will be shipped directly. Please include a note in the donation if you would like to acknowledge that you are donating through the Orchestra or if you would like to receive an in-kind gift receipt.
Shop Simpson's Target Registry
Housing Space Funds Drive
Simpson Housing Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to housing, supporting and advocating for people experiencing homelessness. For many years, Simpson has hosted performances by Orchestra musicians at its emergency shelter. Simpson is proud to announce that its brand-new housing, program and administrative space is set to begin construction in early 2024. The Orchestra is proud to partner with this amazing organization again this holiday season!
In 2019, Simpson Housing Services was gifted the Simpson United Methodist Church building and became the official owner of the site at 2740 1st Ave, where the shelter operated for four decades. The 141-year-old structure was never built to accommodate shelter guests, however.
Simpson is rebuilding a new shelter with affordable housing on the church site. Its features will include 72 shelter beds, 42 supportive homes, an on-site health clinic, a commercial kitchen and dining room, access to private green space, and more. Simpson Community Shelter and Apartments is designed to meet the short-term housing needs of shelter guests through comprehensive on-site services, with hopes that guests achieve increased stability and better housing outcomes as a result. Simpson and partners broke ground on June 12, 2024 and have since laid the foundation and started basement construction.
