Fire damages St. Paul nonprofit that helps the homeless

Written By
Fred Melo
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July 19, 2021

A fire on Friday, July 16, 2021, at 1549 University Ave. W. has left Small Sums, a nonprofit that buys work tools for the homeless, looking for a temporary new home along the Green Line.

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Communities that KARE: Small Sums

Written By
Shelley Stridsberg
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October 12, 2020

A program in Saint Paul uses a unique approach to get Minnesotans back to work.

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Small Sums offer work clothes, boots, bus fare to anyone starting a new job and behind on rent

Written By
Fredrick Melo
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September 3, 2020

Small Sums, a nonprofit based in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, is best known for helping the homeless qualify for jobs by providing work items such as shoes, tools and bus cards.

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Small Sums says thanks for flood of donations following burglary

Written By
Maja Beckstrom
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April 5, 2016

When burglars hit Small Sums over Christmas last year, they took 76 monthly bus passes and Goodwill clothing cards meant for the homeless. Executive director Terre Thomas worried she wouldn’t be able to help clients the following week. Instead, thanks to news stories widely shared on social media, the organization ended up with $30,000 in donations. To say thank you to a generous public, the nonprofit organization is holding an open house Saturday, April 9.

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Xmas burglars ransack St. Paul group that helps homeless get back to work

Written By
William Wilcoxen
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December 30, 2015

A St. Paul non-profit that helps homeless people re-enter the workforce is recovering after thieves broke into their office on Christmas.


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Nearly $4,000 Of Supplies Stolen From Homelessness Nonprofit On Christmas

Written By
Reg Chapman
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December 30, 2015

Police are investigating a Christmas crime that targeted a Twin Cities organization known for helping the homeless.

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Kindness in a bag

Written By
Jill Bachelder
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June 1, 2015

Small Sums and Dignity Center create care packets for the homeless

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Ending homelessness one pair of shoes at a time

Written By
Bob Collins
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May 28, 2014

For hundreds of people in the Twin Cities, the difference between homelessness and a more stable existence is a pair of black, no-slip shoes. Or barber tools. Or a bus pass. Or work clothes. Or an electrician’s license renewal.

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Homeless nonprofit raising money to meet increased demand

Written By
Michelle Bruch
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May 20, 2014

Lyndale resident Terre Thomas — best known as the Fairy Godmother — is working to raise $29,000 to help outfit the homeless for new jobs.

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Small Sums seeks funds to help homeless buy clothes and tools

Written By
Joe Kimball
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May 19, 2014

The Twin Cities nonprofit helps homeless people who’ve found jobs buy items they need for work.

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Small Sums Comcast Newsmaker interview

Written By
Kevyn Burger
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May 11, 2014

In the video , Small Sums Executive Director Terre Thomas is interviewed by Comcast news anchor Kevyn Burger about providing help to homeless workers so they can take a job.

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Small Sums solves bigger problems

Written By
Aaron Straka
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November 19, 2012

Small Sums identifies overlooked necessities that help skilled workers return to the workforce and move toward self-sufficiency.

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St. Paul: Nonprofit Small Sums has big impact on ‘new homeless’

Written By
Frederick Melo
-
November 3, 2012

Terre Thomas, who recently retired as executive director, was previously the Client & Partner Coordinator at Small Sums, a St. Paul non-profit which makes small grants to the homeless and the recently unemployed, to help them get back to work by paying for their license renewals or basic workplace tools and necessities like bus cards, work boots and hammers. The photos covering the wall are of clients who have received help from Small Sums.

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