At the heart of every strong community are people willing to step in during life’s hardest moments. That is the work being done every day by Labor of Love MN, the recipient of Crow Wing Power’s 2026 Operation Round-Up® IMPACT Grant.
Selected unanimously by our nine-member volunteer Board of Trustees, Labor of Love MN was awarded $20,000 to continue providing affordable essentials and compassionate support to individuals and families throughout the region.
The IMPACT Grant process allows non-profit organizations to share not only their mission, but also the lasting difference they make within the community. Finalists presented directly to the Trustees, explaining how grant funding would strengthen their programs and expand their impact.
For Labor of Love MN, that impact is deeply personal. The organization serves approximately five families each day, helping provide clothing, shoes, furniture, bedding, kitchen items, and other household essentials. In many cases, families arrive after experiencing devastating circumstances such as house fires, homelessness, or domestic violence situations.
One application story described a mother and her three children who left an unsafe situation with only the clothes on their backs. Labor of Love MN helped furnish their apartment and provide toys and essentials for the children, offering comfort and stability during an incredibly difficult time.
Through The Chapel Thrift Store and a dedicated team of volunteers, the organization continues to meet needs with dignity and compassion.
“The Impact Grant is more than support. It strengthens our hands, deepens our compassion, and helps us serve our neighbors with love that lasts,” said Julie Leikvoll, founder of Labor of Love MN.
Grant funding will help support staffing needs for donation processing and retail operations, allowing the organization to continue growing its outreach and serving even more families across the area.