Richfield Public Schools Expands Partnership with Uplift North to Support Students and Families

Richfield Public Schools is proud to continue and expand its longstanding partnership with Uplift North, formerly known as Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

For many years, Uplift North has helped remove barriers to learning by providing clothing, food, classroom resources and scholarships for Richfield students. During the 2025-26 school year alone, the organization invested nearly $100,000 in programs that directly benefited students across the District. We are grateful to continue this partnership for the 2026-27 school year so our students, families and teachers can benefit from these programs.

Those programs include:

• Clothes for Kids, providing Target shopping trips for students in need
• Food for Kids, supporting the Richfield High School Food Shelf and Oasis for Youth
• Links to Learning classroom grants for teachers
• Scholarships for graduating seniors
• Start Smart, providing essential clothing, hygiene products and school necessities through District social workers

Additionally, this fall, Richfield Public Schools and Uplift North will expand their partnership even further with a winter coat distribution for students at Centennial Elementary, helping ensure students stay warm and ready to learn throughout the Minnesota winter.

"We are incredibly grateful for Uplift North's continued commitment to our students and families," said Superintendent Steve Unowsky. "Their generosity helps ensure students have the resources they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom."

Richfield teachers are also encouraged to apply for Uplift North's Links to Learning classroom grants and Our School Reads program. Applications are currently open through September 30.

Community partnerships like this demonstrate what is possible when organizations come together to support every student.