From Crisis to Care: Hallie Q Brown’s Role in St. Paul’s Food Access Fight
- Serenity Xayboury & Yazmin Bryson
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
A Legacy of Service at Halle Q. Brown Community Center
Benny Roberts, a proud St. Paul native with deep roots in the Rondo community, serves as the executive leader of the historic Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Founded in 1929, the center began as a settlement house to support Black families migrating to Minnesota during the post-industrial era.
“My family came here in the forties from Oklahoma,” Benny shared. “Now my daughter is the fifth generation in my family to be served by Halle Q. Brown.”
Today, the center remains a vital hub, offering services from childcare to a food shelf, clothing closet, and community events. But the closure of Cub Foods in the Midway area has created urgent concerns for food access.
“Our community was already considered a food desert,” Benny explained. “With Cub closing, it leaves people desperate for basic needs like fresh food. Target is now the largest grocer nearby, but it’s not a complete solution. Aldi, Whole Foods, and co-ops exist, but many in the community face affordability and accessibility barriers.”
Food Access, Safety, and Community Connection
Benny noted that food insecurity is intertwined with other challenges, including safety concerns and the rise of drug use.
“When people’s basic needs aren’t met, spirits break,” he said. “We live in a disconnected society. People don’t know their neighbors, and many lack trust or the skills to ask for help. Food is central — if we can fix food access, we can begin to address other issues.”
At Halle Q. Brown, the “secret sauce” is simple: people and place. “We’ve served the same community for nearly a century,” Benny said. “We meet immediate needs — whether that’s food, clothing, or a safe space — and we build deep, trusting relationships.”
Faith, Resilience, and a Message of Hope
Faith plays a central role in Benny’s leadership. “I’m a believer in Jesus Christ, and that informs everything I do,” he said. “It’s about loving my neighbor and making the world around me better. I was blessed with support growing up, and I feel it’s my duty to give back.”
Benny also emphasized the dignity of choice when it comes to meeting community needs.
“It’s not just about giving people what’s available — it’s about making sure they have access to what they actually want,” he explained. “When people can choose for themselves, they feel seen, respected, and valued.”
For listeners feeling overwhelmed, Benny’s message is clear: “You are valuable. When you believe that, even your struggles gain purpose, because you can use your experience to help someone else.”
The Enduring Spirit of Rondo
Benny also reflected on the rich history of the Rondo neighborhood — once a thriving, diverse community that was deliberately divided by the construction of I-94 in the mid-20th century.
“Despite the displacement, Rondo’s spirit didn’t die,” he said. “Our descendants lead across the city in government, schools, churches, and businesses. Our footprint grew, and I believe the best is yet to come.”
From community gathering spots like Golden Thyme Café to partnerships with cultural institutions like Penumbra Theatre (which began at Halle Q. Brown), the neighborhood’s legacy remains alive and evolving.
Mindful Monday Affirmation:
“I nurture my mind with peace, my body with care, and my soul with connection.”
Because true community care means honoring choice, meeting needs, and nurturing mind, body, and soul — both within ourselves and across our neighborhoods.