Frequently Asked Questions

About our trips

At Mission from Minnesota, we're in the business of connecting volunteers with the people who really need help. We organize week-long trips to New Orleans and other gulf-coast areas.

Who can go?

Just about anyone can volunteer with us, including kids 12 and older as well as senior citizens. In fact, we encourage families to volunteer together. (If you have medical conditions or sensitivities to mold, please contact our volunteer coordinator, who will try to match you with a trip and activities that accommodate your situation.)

How long is the trip?

Most of our trips are 9 days long. We depart on a Friday evening, work Monday through Friday and return by the following Sunday evening.

How do I get there and back?

Our principal mode of transportation is a caravan of several minivans and cars. If you are able to drive your own vehicle, just let us know when you sign up. If you are organizing your own group, you can certainly arrange your own transportation.

What kind of work will I do?

Our volunteers perform a range of tasks, including:

• Demolition: Removing drywall, carpet, cabinets, furniture, etc., from flooded homes.
• Cleanup: Cleaning up home sites, neighborhood blocks, etc.
• Reclamation: Before any demolition can take place, many families need help retrieving heirlooms (family photos, bibles, jewelry, documents, etc.) from the debris.
• Home repairs: Helping residents repair roofs, walls, interiors, etc.
• Cooking: With up to 30 hungry volunteers per trip, kitchen workers are much needed — and much loved!
• Supply distribution: Helping distribute basic necessities (food, clothes, hygiene products, etc.) to local families.
• Project management/site supervision: Every trip needs one or two individuals who will direct the flow of workers, supplies and vehicles. If you're a control freak, this is your chance to shine!
• Listening: This isn't a job, but it's something many volunteers get to do — being a good listener as hurricane survivors tell about their struggle for survival since the storms.

What should I bring?

Depending on the type of work you'll be doing, you should plan on packing work clothes that you don't mind ripping or soiling. During the winter months, the weather on the gulf coast is considerably warmer than up here. Dress for warm days (60s-70s) and cool nights (30s-50s). You might also want to pack some personal items (books, mp3 player, etc.) for use on your time off. Lastly, be sure to bring some money, as we encourage volunteers to get out and see New Orleans and you may want to buy some souvenirs. For a complete packing list, please visit our Web site.

How much does it cost?

Our trips are self-funding, which means that we ask volunteers to help raise the money needed to pay for transportation, food, tools and supplies. We typically ask each volunteer to try and raise $500 by asking friends and family to sponsor them. But don't worry — if you have difficulty raising money for your trip, we'll work with you and give you some ideas for fundraising!