Winter meal at Seal Hi-Rise
On Saturday, Jan. 10, neighbors gathered at Seal Hi-Rise for an afternoon that felt quietly special.
The community room was filled with conversation, music and the steady rhythm of people coming and going for another helping of food.
Hosted by the St. Anthony Park Community Council Equity Committee, the annual meal has become a tradition — a chance to check in with one another during the long winter and share space without an agenda.
“There’s something grounding about sitting down together in January,” said Melissa Pappas, Equity Committee co-chair. “It’s about creating a place where neighbors can relax, talk and feel connected.”
Residents of Seal Hi-Rise were joined by neighbors from across the community. Live music from Rob Stokes and friends added warmth, providing a familiar soundtrack as people lingered.
The meal was made possible through support from local businesses including Herbst Eatery and Farm Stand, Lanna Thai, Colossal Cafe, Hampden Park Co-Op and Tim & Tom’s Speedy Market.
In a season that can feel long and quiet, the Seal Hi-Rise meal was a reminder that connection doesn’t have to be complicated.
50 years of community engagement
In 2026, the SAP District 12 Community Council marks 50 years of community engagement — five decades shaped not by any single project or plan, but by neighbors showing up for one another.
SAPCC is St. Paul’s designated community engagement organization for District 12, working with residents, businesses, and partners across St. Anthony Park. Being transparent about funding is part of honoring that trust.
In 2025, District 12’s contract with the city of St. Paul provided approximately $63,000 to support core community engagement responsibilities. For 2026, that funding is expected to increase to approximately $70,000.
This funding covers staffing, communications, meeting facilitation and coordination — functions that keep neighborhood engagement consistent year-round.
In addition to individual giving, District 12 relies on public and private funding. In 2025, the St. Anthony Park Community Foundation provided $1,500 for operations and $1,500 for the SAP Community Garden. In 2025 and 2026, SAPCC received $2,000 from the St. Paul Bird Alliance to support habitat, garden expansion and orchard land reclamation at the Community Garden.
This year, District 12 plans a spring fundraiser beginning in April to boost overall funding.
Upcoming District 12 meetings
District 12 encourages neighbors to attend monthly committee meetings, available in-person and online. Learn more at sapcc.org.
- Land Use Committee: 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5
- District 12 Board: 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12
- Equity Committee: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23
- Transportation Committee: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24
- Environment Committee: 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25
Submitted by District 12 executive director Zev Radziwill.