The boss of a Minneapolis food bank funded by the city’s taxpayers has banned white people from abusing the resource.
Mykela “Keiko” Jackson used a grant from the state of Minnesota to launch the Food Trap Project Bodega, intended to help poor and hungry residents living close to Sanctuary Covenant Church in the north part of the city.
The pantry did not open until July 27, but was forced to close and move away from the church grounds within months after Jackson attempted to ban white people from attending the service, including a local chaplain who complained.
A sign on the pantry door states that the food inside was specifically for “Black and Indigenous Folx” only.
Mykela “Keiko” Jackson used a grant from the state of Minnesota to launch the Food Trap Project Bodega, aimed at helping poor, hungry people. She said the food bank was only for Black and Indigenous people
A sign on the pantry door stated that the food inside was specifically for “Black and Indigenous Folx.”
“The resources you find here are for Black & Indigenous Folx. Please don’t take anything with you if you don’t,” it said.
Jackson took advantage of a Paths to Black Health grant that aims to reducing health disparities among African Americans while promoting a “vibrant and thriving” community.
The last census showed that Minneapolis was 58 percent white and 18 percent of the population was African American.
But a number of reports have surfaced suggesting that non-black residents are being denied access to the pantry, sowing the seeds of racial discrimination in an area considered ethnically diverse.
The description of subsidy states how the “funds are specifically designed to support organizations working with U.S.-born African Americans… for whom research shows health has been compromised as a result of historical trauma.” This trauma includes post-traumatic slave syndrome (PTSD) and epigenetic inheritance.”
The food pantry was located on the grounds of Sanctuary Covenant Church. The church said in a statement how it believes it was somewhat misled by Jackson’s proposal
The pantry is free to all, but only to Black and Indigenous people
Chaplain Howard Dotson, 54, went to take a look at the pantry himself but claims how he was denied service as a white man.
“This doesn’t build community, it destroys it,” Dotson said Alpha News. “I went there and confronted her. I told her I saw the sign and asked if she really thought she could take government grant money and discriminate against poor white people.”
Dotson then filed a complaint with the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission.
He claims Jackson personally told him how the food bank was set up to serve Black and Indigenous people, and that he was told how to cross the road to the church’s free food pantry if he needed it.
In a lengthy message, Jackson said a “Karen” had forced the pantry to close and move
Chaplain Howard Dotson, 54, who went to take a look at the pantry himself, but as a white person was refused service
Jackson admitted to creating the sign but stands by her position, adding that she hasn’t turned anyone away.
‘There was no one there to send them away immediately. They felt entitled to resources that were not intended for their demographic purposes – white privilege is real,” Jackson said, accusing Dotson of “political violence.”
“We hope these white customers can go about their day and stop bothering us,” she added. “The community needs it and wants it, and is willing to commit to it.”
She later shared in an Instagram post how the utility room started moving because of a ‘karen’.
“It was recently brought to our attention that our partnership with Sanctuary Church may not be fully aligned with our mission due to a recent incident involving a ‘Karen’ last week,” Jackson wrote.
“While the church likes our concept, they believe that our commitment to directing these resources ONLY to Black and Indigenous families is exclusive to other POC and white community members who use their establishment.
“It is an unfortunate situation, but we decide to stand by our beliefs and move the FTP Bodega to a space that better suits the work we are trying to do,” the message said.
Dotson, seen here with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has filed a complaint with the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission
In a message to social media, Jackson states that ‘all are welcome’, but that ‘Black & Indigenous folx’ will be prioritized
“The Black community consistently faces hunger at higher rates than whites, due to racism across social, economic and environmental dimensions,” Jackson said. website states.
Jackson says the pantry has managed to distribute 2,000 pounds of food and claims the grant is specifically targeted at African American communities. He believes her free pantry is part of an effort to right such wrongs.
The food bank announced on its Instagram page that it is now moving locations, but claims the move has nothing to do with the current controversy.
Sanctuary Covenant Church said in a statement how they believe they were somewhat misled by Jackson’s proposal.
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 wanted to support her. This would be a place that would be accessible to everyone 24/7. Not demographic [information] necessary. Anyone in need would be welcome.
“Nowhere in her original proposal did she indicate that she would limit use to specific communities. This is not consistent with the vision and mission of the Sanctuary.
“When we discovered her signage and social media posts, we asked her to stick to her original proposal. Mrs. Jackson was unable to do this and decided to move her Food Trap elsewhere. The deadline for moving her trap is September 30. We’ve already shut off the power.’
