Current shelter at First Covenant Church is inside Super Bowl security
perimeter.
By Chris Serres Star Tribune
November 15, 2017 — 3:26pm
Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune U.S. Bank Stadium will host the Super
Bowl on Feb. 4, 2018.
Dozens of people experiencing homelessness will be moved to a new,
temporary shelter during Super Bowl week because of security concerns.
In a deal struck with social service providers, up to 60 people who
normally would spend the night in a shelter at First Covenant Church
in downtown Minneapolis will be relocated several blocks away to a
makeshift shelter at St. Olaf Catholic Church. The transition will
occur the Thursday before the 2018 game and last through Super Bowl
Sunday.
A spokeswoman for Super Bowl Host Committee said the relocation is
necessary because the current shelter at First Covenant, located at
810 S. 7th Street, is inside the “secure perimeter,” an area
surrounding U.S. Bank Stadium where people will be subject to
airport-style security and intense surveillance.
Patrick Kennedy, pastor of St. Olaf, said the church already provides
a range of services for individuals and families who lack permanent
housing. The church has a kitchen, bathrooms and a reception hall that
can accommodate up to 250 people, he said. Each month, the church’s
Samaritan Ministry program provides free food, clothing and
transportation to hundreds of people experiencing homelessness and
poverty.
The cost of the transition to St. Olaf will be borne by the Super Bowl
Host Committee.
“It was a no-brainer for us,” Kennedy said. “We have the space and
we’re more than happy to do it.”
The decision to establish a temporary shelter was made by First
Covenant and followed months of discussion with local nonprofits,
homeless outreach agencies and local law enforcement officials.
“We want to minimize any impacts on every aspect of our community —
and that includes the homeless population,” host committee spokeswoman
Andrea Mokros said.
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