Cook and advocate Julie M. adds an extra ingredient of love in her work alongside youth. “I love being in the role of cook,” Julie says. “Because food is love. When you cook for someone and add that extra ingredient of love, they feel it.” Julie McCarthy is the cook and one of six youth…

Chocolate crinkles, peanut butter, ginger, triple chocolate, and Kitchen Sink. This is just a sampling of the decadent, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that Debby bakes for the Bridging volunteers and staff members who are lucky enough to be at the Bloomington warehouse on Thursday mornings. Debby works full-time at Boston Scientific. Her husband Tom, retired from his…

Bridging is thrilled to be named one of the 2025 Great Workplaces in Minnesota!  Nine companies were named in two categories, small employers (15-49 Minnesota employees) and large employers (50 or more Minnesota employees). Bridging was named #8 in the small employers category. Representatives from each recipient organization gathered at a reception and awards ceremony…

An incredible community partner supports Bridging’s mission, banks on Bedrace fun! Premier Banks is celebrating 20+ years as a Bridging partner! Their team is also gearing up for the winter festivities and unforgettable fun at the 2025 Bedrace for Bridging! Marriah Anderson, Branch Operations Supervisor of Premier Banks’ Bloomington location, is passionate about Bridging’s mission…

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Navigate Forward, a Twin Cities-based consulting firm serving senior executives in transition, dedicated their afternoon to volunteering at Bridging. Group volunteer coordinator Joel Bisser introduced the 12 volunteers to Bridging’s operations during a tour of the Bloomington warehouse. As the group walked the warehouse aisles and approached…

For over a decade, Bridging Facilities Manager Steve Jameson has played an essential leadership role in Bridging’s facilities and operations.  Steve is dedicated to Bridging’s mission and is grateful to have known and worked with Founder Fran Heitzman. “You saw Fran’s passion and how it transferred to everyone here at Bridging.  Our mission is so…

  Vicki is a shopping volunteer at Bridging. For five years, she has found joy in working alongside recipients of Bridging’s services as they furnish their homes. Last week, Steven shopped for furniture and essential household items in Bridging’s Bloomington warehouse with Vicki and another volunteer. Following his morning shopping appointment, Vicki carefully wrapped Steven’s…

How exactly does Bridging provide a foundational home setup of furniture and essential household items to 120 households in the Twin Cities each week? Behind the scenes at Bridging there is a humble, mighty, and kind-hearted team that plays a vital role in ensuring that donations from the community fill the Bridging warehouse shelves, and…

“Bridging was the beginning of my journey. It was the start of my life,” says Kelove. Kelove remembers furnishing her home at Bridging after securing a referral from the YWCA, a Bridging agency partner. “I was totally shocked that I got to walk in and pick out what I wanted for each room. I furnished…