November 11, 2024

A Look at Our New Space

We’re now sharing our office space with the local nonprofit DEMO, a group preserving and promoting Minnesota’s music legacy. This connection was made possible by DEMO’s Mitch Thompson, a past CAA board member and current volunteer. Laura Matanah, CAA Executive Director shares why she’s enthusiastic about the space: ”We’ve been lucky to find a new space for below-market rates with everything we wanted: ADA accessible, close to transit, easy access to an outdoor space to gather, and kitchen access for events. We’re right by the Mississippi River. We look forward to welcoming volunteers and donors there!”

Moving Day Appreciations and Free-Will Donation Sale

Moving day on November 2 went smoothly, thanks to the incredible volunteers who came out to help. More than 15 supporters gathered to pack, lift, and unpack, and they were rewarded with vegan breakfast pizza to start the day and dinner pizza at the end. They were also lucky to be among the very first to see the new space. Their hard work saved us moving expenses and made for a smooth transition to our new home.

As part of our move, we also held a free-will donation sale at the old office on November 9, offering items we no longer needed. Supporters picked up desks, chairs, dishes, and more — all while supporting our mission for animals. They gave what they could, took what they needed, and contributed to CAA’s work.

Saying Goodbye to Our 1st Avenue Office

Leaving the 1st Avenue office wasn’t easy. For over 12 years, it was the heart of our work, hosting events, meetings, and moments shared with our supporters and volunteers. We know many of you have special memories of it, and invite you to share them on our Kudoboard. As one person said: “The 1st Avenue office space was where my volunteering for CAA all began… From stuffing envelopes to enjoying some lip-smacking Herbie [Butcher]’s fried chicken, I’ve had great moments in that space.”

We honored this space with two special events in October, both filled with memories, laughter, and heartfelt gratitude.

The farewell event was held on October 19, with about a dozen people attending. Co-founder Dave Rolsky shared stories about the early days of CAA. He talked about how the organization began and its focus on helping farmed animals. Board members, staff, and dedicated volunteers all came together to celebrate. They enjoyed a delicious vegan spread prepared by board members Hannah Milos and Lydia Green. This event was a special time to reflect on CAA’s history and the important work done in that office space over the years.

At the second farewell, CAA Program Director Abbey Feola spoke about what CAA had accomplished at 1st Avenue. She explained the central role that volunteers have played in making these achievements possible. Abbey introduced Unny Namudiripad, a CAA co-founder and current volunteer. He shared memories of planning the first Twin Cities Veg Fest at that very office. Unny talked about how much volunteers enjoyed the homemade vegan meals they shared while planning the event. This led Unny to the insight that building a strong, caring community has always been at the heart of CAA.

Volunteer Appreciation Event

The second farewell was also a volunteer appreciation event. We welcomed volunteers from many different areas of CAA’s work. People who volunteered at outreach events, Simpson Housing lunches, Twin Cities Veg Fest planning, the UMN student chapter, and the tech team all joined in. Volunteers from the board, banquet committee, and other groups came as well. It was a great mix of people, many meeting each other for the first time. Abbey expressed her excitement, saying, “We were thrilled to see volunteers with such a wide range of experiences connecting at the event!”

Abbey also shared some numbers showing the impact of everyone’s hard work. Thanks to their efforts, CAA reached over 11,000 people through its programs this year. We also welcomed over 100 exhibitors at Twin Cities Veg Fest and saw festival attendance grow. The volunteers’ work made these achievements possible, and CAA was grateful to celebrate them all.

New Beginnings at the Grain Belt Keg House

We’re excited for this new chapter at the Grain Belt Keg House, a space that allows us to host events, bring together volunteers, and grow our community. While we had briefly considered going fully remote, we knew that having a physical place for people to connect and share ideas was essential to our mission. 

Our new location makes it easier than ever for us to welcome supporters, host events, and keep building a compassionate community. Laura Matanah shared “We’re grateful for everyone who has been part of CAA’s journey and look forward to creating new memories in our new home.”

Thank you to everyone who helped make this move possible! We invite you to visit us at our new office and be part of the work for a kinder, more compassionate world for animals.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Speaking of ways to become involved and to see the new space, there are several upcoming volunteer committee opportunities like the Vegan Chili Cook-Off and Annual Banquet planning meetings, where we’ll share vegan food and organize these wonderful events.

If you’re interested in helping to plan the Vegan Chili Cook-Off, contact Tamuno Imbu at [email protected]. If you’d like to help plan our annual banquet, contact Laura Matanah at [email protected].