MINNESOTA MILITARY FAMILY FOUNDATION (THE FOUNDATION) IS A COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED FUND FOUNDED IN NOVEMBER 2004. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MADE BY PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE MANY SACRIFICES THAT MILITARY FAMILIES MAKE AND WANT TO HELP SOFTEN THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS THAT MAY OCCUR, ESPECIALLY WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER IS DEPLOYED, BY PROVIDING A FINANCIAL SAFETY NET. THE FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTES MONEY, THROUGH GRANTS, TO MINNESOTA MILITARY FAMILIES THAT NEED HELP. THE FOUNDATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE SOLDIER AND FAMILY READINESS SPECIALISTS (SFRS). THE SFRS COMMUNICATES DIRECTLY WITH MILITARY MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THEY DIRECT REQUEST TO THE FOUNDATION AND PROVIDE DETAILS OF THE SERVICE MEMBERS' FINANCIAL NEEDS. THE FOUNDATION PAYS MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, RENTS, UTILITIES, CAR PAYMENTS, MEDICAL BILLS AND OTHER NEEDS ON BEHALF OF THE SERVICE MEMBERS.