The head of a Minneapolis food pantry, funded by the city’s taxpayers, has banned whites from taking advantage of the resource.
Mykela ‘Keiko’ Jackson used a grant from the state of Minnesota to launch the Food Trap Bodega Project, designed to help poor and hungry residents living near Sanctuary Covenant Church in the city’s north.
The pantry only opened on July 27, but within months was forced to close and relocate off the church grounds after Jackson attempted to prevent whites from accessing the service, including a local chaplain who complained.
A sign on the pantry door says the food inside was specifically for ‘black and indigenous folk’ only.
Mykela ‘Keiko’ Jackson used a grant from the state of Minnesota to launch the Bodega Food Trap project, designed to help poor and hungry people. He said the food pantry was only for Black and Indigenous people.
A sign on the pantry door said that the food inside was specifically for ‘black and indigenous people’ only.
‘The resources found here are for Black & Indigenous Folx. “Please refrain from taking anything if not,” he said.
Jackson used a Paths to Black Health grant that aims to reducing health disparities among African Americans while fostering a “vibrant and thriving” community.
The last census showed that Minneapolis was 58 percent white and 18 percent African American.
But several reports have emerged suggesting how non-Black residents are being denied access to the pantry, sowing the seeds of racial discrimination in an area considered ethnically diverse.
He grant description states that the ‘funds are specifically designed to support organizations that work with American-born African Americans…for whom studies indicate that health has been impaired as a result of historical trauma.’ This trauma includes post-traumatic slave syndrome (PTSS) and epigenetic inheritance.’
The food pantry was located on the grounds of Sanctuary Covenant Church. The church said in a statement that they believe Jackson’s proposal misled them a bit.
The pantry is an open field but only for blacks and indigenous people
Chaplain Howard Dotson, 54, went to take a look at the pantry, but claims that as a white man, he was denied service.
“This is not building a community, but destroying it,” Dotson told Alpha News. “I went there and confronted her. I told him I had seen the poster and asked him if he really thought he could receive a state subsidy and discriminate against poor whites.’
Dotson then filed a complaint with the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission.
She claims Jackson told her in person how the food pantry was set up to serve Black and Indigenous people and was told how to cross the street to the church’s free pantry if she needed it.
In a lengthy message, Jackson said a ‘Karen’ had forced the pantry to close and relocate.
Chaplain Howard Dotson, 54, who went to take a look at the pantry, but as a white man was denied service.
Jackson admitted to making the sign, but stands by his position, adding that he didn’t turn anyone away.
“There was no one there to directly reject them. “They felt entitled to resources that were not for their demographic — white privilege is real,” Jackson said, accusing Dotson of “political violence.”
“We hope these white customers can go about their day and not harass us anymore,” he added. “The community needs it and wants it, and is willing to fight for this cause.”
Later in an Instagram post he told how the pantry was moved because of a ‘Karen’.
“We have recently been informed that our partnership with Sanctuary Church may not be fully aligned with our mission due to a recent incident with a “Karen” last week,” Jackson wrote.
‘While the church likes our concept, they feel that our commitment to directing these resources ONLY toward Black and Indigenous families excludes other POC and White members of the community who use their facility.
“It’s an unfortunate situation, but we are deciding to stand by our beliefs and relocate the FTP Winery to a space more aligned with the work we are trying to do,” the post said.
Dotson, seen here with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, filed a complaint with the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission.
In a message to social media, Jackson states that “everyone is welcome,” but that “black and indigenous people” are being prioritized.
“The Black community consistently faces higher rates of hunger than whites due to social, economic and environmental racism,” Jackson said. website states.
Jackson says the pantry has been able to distribute 2,000 pounds of food and says the grant specifically targets African American communities and believes his free pantry is part of an effort to right those wrongs.
The food pantry announced on its Instagram page that it is now moving locations, but says the move has nothing to do with the current controversy.
Sanctuary Covenant Church said in a statement that they believe Jackson’s proposal misled them a bit.
Jackson says the pantry has distributed 2,000 pounds of food and is specifically targeting African American communities with its free pantry as part of an effort to right the wrongs of the past.
‘When Mykela Jackson approached us to set up her Food Trap project, we were excited to support her. This would be a place accessible to anyone 24/7. No demographic (information) is needed. Anyone who needs it will be welcome.
‘Nowhere in your original proposal did you indicate that you would restrict use to specific communities. This does not align with the vision and mission of the Sanctuary.
‘When we discovered his posters and social media posts, we asked him to follow through with his original proposal. Mrs. Jackson was unable to do so and decided to move her food trap to another location. The deadline to move your trap is 9/30. We have already turned off the electricity.
