Get free snow shoveling this winter courtesy of the City of Minneapolis Public Works Department which is partnering with several neighborhoods throughout Minneapolis for qualified residents.
It’s the second year of the city’s senior snow pilot project, which provides grants to neighborhood organizations to assist residents over 65 and others in need of snow clearing, according to Ethan Van Offelen, Minneapolis Public Works snow and ice project coordinator. This year, the pilot expanded from four to seven neighborhood organizations, including two in Southwest Minneapolis: the Fulton Neighborhood Association and Whittier Alliance.
The Fulton Neighborhood Association received a $5,000 grant from the city to start its “Snow Angel” program. Volunteers are matched with one or more eligible residents who live in Fulton to shovel their sidewalks and around their trash and recycling bins whenever it snows, says Sophie Su, Fulton Neighborhood Association Board President.
A city ordinance requires single-family homes and duplexes to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours after it snows – or face a fine. This can present a challenge for elderly residents or those with a disability or dealing with an injury or illness that prevents them from being able to shovel.
Van Offelen says the pilot project’s success hinges on the cost-effectiveness of funding the neighborhood snow removal programs versus city crews going out and clearing those sidewalks, says Van Offelen. These neighborhood programs help the city ensure sidewalks get shoveled in a timely manner, easing the burden for residents and keeping pedestrian areas accessible for all, he says.
Ian Harrison, 49, is on the Fulton Neighborhood Association board and is one of the Snow Angel volunteers. “It’s really not a trouble to assist those that cannot shovel their sidewalks, especially if they’re concerned for their health, or if they’re concerned of getting a ticket from the city because they feel pressure or stress to have to go out and shovel their front sidewalks,” he says. “It really helps those that need it, and frankly, it brings me joy to be able to provide for people. It’s the neighborly thing to do.”
Su says the Fulton Neighborhood Association used its grant money to purchase shovels and a sand-salt mixture for its volunteers as well as safety equipment like reflective vests. Every volunteer also gets a beanie that helps identify them as a Snow Angel when they’re out shoveling snow.
As a licensed real estate agent, Zach Navarro, 44, says winter is his slowest time of year. After his wife sent him an article about the Snow Angels program, he figured he’d put some of his extra time to good use.
Navarro’s assigned recipient lives right by a Metro Transit bus stop, so he’s not only been fulfilling his duty to help clear the snow and ice from their sidewalk and driveway, but he’s also been working to keep the bus stop clear.
“The [city] snow crews that normally would do that, they’ve got so much going on. It’s the least somebody could do,” he says. “I’m already there with a bucket of sand and salt. I’ll get my recipient’s sidewalk and stuff first, and then whatever else is left over. I’ll hit [the bus stop] and just try to kind of make it easier for people.”
Su says they try to match volunteers with neighbors based on proximity. Getting to know their neighbors is one of the things Harrison says he has enjoyed most about being a part of the program.
“His house [on Xerxes Avenue South] is very identifiable because it’s a certain yellow color. He also has all these Tonka trucks in his front yard, which is very unique. So I’ve always wondered who that person is that lives in that house, and now I’m helping him,” says Harrison. “He’s in his 80s and he’s an artist and I’ve been able to get to know him and his story, because everybody has this beautiful story.”
Harrison said he cleared snow for another neighbor, a 93-year-old woman, a few times and learned she makes winter hats for people in need.
“I walk into her house and meet her and there on her grand piano is a pile of hats. They’re not these shabby junky little beanies. They are beautiful. They look like beanies that could be sold at any nice store,” he says. “And I come to find out that’s what she does. She sits and sews and makes winter hats for people.”
Harrison added, “You get to know everybody’s different stories and where they come from, what they do, what they give of themselves, what they’re passionate about, what drives their hearts, and through that you learn how we’re all connected in some way. What we need more than anything in this world is simple connection.”
Su said one of the challenges is getting the word out to residents who may be in need of the service. She said many people either aren’t aware that free snow shoveling is available – or they’re hesitant to ask for help.
“You know Minnesotans. They’re like, ‘I’m going to do this for as long as I can, I’m going to shovel’,” she says. “One of the people who joined our program as a recipient was like, ‘I’m so embarrassed that I’m asking for this when I think I can do it’.”
“It’s just getting people to know that when you need help, you should ask for help,” adds Navarro. “Sometimes you don’t know you need help until you slip and fall.”
As of publication, Fulton has 14 Snow Angel volunteers and 13 recipients participating in the program – about a 1:1 ratio. But Su says residents can continue to reach out if they want to volunteer or if they want to request assistance, whether it’s just one time or for the duration of the winter.
Van Offelen says there are a lot of people in Minneapolis who already help out their neighbors in the wintertime, whether they’re regularly shoveling an elderly neighbor’s driveway or snowblowing the sidewalk for their entire block, not just the section in front of their own house.
“We have an aging population in Minneapolis and providing assistance is a great thing we’re learning to do as a city,” he says. “There’s a lot of great people out there already helping their neighbors and I would encourage people to continue to do that.”
“Whenever it snows, I’ll be ready,” says Harrison.
Learn more:
• Fulton Neighborhood Association Snow Angel Program: https://fultonneighborhood.org/events/fulton-snow-angels-program/
• Whittier Alliance Snow Patrol Program: https://www.whittieralliance.org/general-resources/snow-patrol-program
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