giving back, Helping others
The Philando Castile Relief Foundation prides itself on doing everything it can to support our communities and empower our children. We provide funds to help families who have lost a loved one through gun violence. We offer families holiday meals, tutorial services, hot spots and free internet services, and education scholarships. We reduce students’ school lunch balances in metro-area schools, and partner to fund the important work of other organizations advocating for the better good of our communities.
ANNUAL RESTORATION AND UNITY DAYS
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Restoration Day: July 6, 8:35 p.m., Larpenteur (Philando Castile Memorial Avenue) and Fry Ave.: Restoration Day is about taking personal action and steps to build or restore relationships. The family of Philando Castile hosts an evening vigil at the Philando Castile Peace Garden every year on Restoration Day.
Unity Day: July 7, 5:00 p.m., Falcon Heights City Hall: Unity Day demonstrates healing has begun. The Unity Day BBQ is held at Falcon Heights City Hall. The family of Philando Castile provides food and healing entertainment. All are welcome at both events. Join us for good food and community. |
Gathering at 2025 Restoration Day Candlelight Vigil.
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Philando's Pantry: Pop-Up Food Giveaways (Jul. 29, Aug. 6, Sept. 23, 2025)
Philando's Pantry Free Groceries Draw a Crowd: Philando's Pantry feeds hundreds while carrying forward Castile's legacy. Philando’s Pantry in Brooklyn Park is meeting urgent needs by feeding hundreds of families each month, while honoring Philando Castile’s legacy of everyday generosity. Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (Aug. 23, 2025)
Philando's Pantry Free Groceries Draw a Crowd: Philando's Pantry feeds hundreds while carrying forward Castile's legacy. Philando’s Pantry in Brooklyn Park is meeting urgent needs by feeding hundreds of families each month, while honoring Philando Castile’s legacy of everyday generosity. Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (Aug. 23, 2025)
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Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship (June 2025): We gave our first $10k scholarship out to our 9th recipient, Allan Lankford Jr., this year!!! Thank you for your continued support of this legacy created to remember Philando!
The Central Honors Philando scholarship celebrates Philando and his legacy. Central has been able to continue to support students on their journeys in Philando's name. The scholarship is administered by the St. Paul Central High School Foundation, a nonprofit organization. Help Central to not only offer the recurring scholarship, but to increase their support to new scholars each year! Donate today! |
Allan Lankford Jr., the ninth Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship recipient and our first $10,000 scholarship recipient, with Allysza and Valerie Castile.
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Friendsgiving 2024
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Happy Holidays to all! There are two pickup locations sponsored by the Philando Castile Relief Foundation®️: St. Paul and Minneapolis/Brooklyn Center. While supplies last we're offering assistance with a turkey with the fixins in St. Paul; in Minneapolis/Brooklyn Center, you will receive a $15 food gift card to help with the fixins
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St. Paul, Nov. 18, 4-6 p.m.
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Brooklyn Center, Nov. 23, 2-5 p.m.
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Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship (May 2024): Jackson Nins is the eighth recipient of the Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship. The Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a St. Paul Central High School senior. The scholarship is administered by the Saint Paul Central High School Foundation (SPCHSF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All scholarship donations are directed to SPCHSF.
For more information on the scholarship and on past recipients, visit Central Honors Philando. |
l-r: Jaxon Nins and Valerie Castile
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Photo Credit Drew Arrieta, Sahan Journal
Tribute to Valerie Castile (May 2024): (Reprinted from Seeds of Peace Newsletter) In 2023, Valerie raised over $200,000 to pay off school lunch debts as a tribute to the work that Philando had started, paying for school lunches for children that could not afford them out of his own pocket. She vigorously advocated for policies that led to the No Shame At School Act and the Free Meal For All Bill signed into law by Governor Walz in March of 2023.
Valerie collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to help reduce the use of deadly force with law enforcement by creating a “Not-Reaching Pouch” with Jacquelyn Carter, where motorists can store their important documents such as license and registration card to keep these items in plain sight during a traffic stop.
Valerie’s work as an activist for loss of life due to gun violence, increasing trauma awareness, and her joint effort with law enforcement over the years has been integral in promoting peace among communities, and preserving the memory of Philando. Her work is an inspiration to all!
Valerie collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to help reduce the use of deadly force with law enforcement by creating a “Not-Reaching Pouch” with Jacquelyn Carter, where motorists can store their important documents such as license and registration card to keep these items in plain sight during a traffic stop.
Valerie’s work as an activist for loss of life due to gun violence, increasing trauma awareness, and her joint effort with law enforcement over the years has been integral in promoting peace among communities, and preserving the memory of Philando. Her work is an inspiration to all!
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Adopt A Family (Dec. 2023): The Philando Castile Relief Foundation continues to support our communities with their the Christmas Adopt-a-Family program, issuing $50 for each dependent child and a $30 Cub gift card.
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Paying off school lunch debt at Central High School, St. Paul (Nov. 14, 2023): Valerie Castile donated $10,000 to Central High School's Parent Advisory Council from the Philando Castile Relief Foundation -- to pay off school lunch debts and support the needs of all our children. The donation was in honor of her son Philando, who was a Central graduate. “He loved children and he would be so happy to know that these kids are up here doing such amazing things,” she said.
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Valerie Castile (center in both photos) donated $10,000 from the Philando Castile Relief Foundation to Central High School.
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Friendsgiving, Nov. 18, 2023
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This is the sixth year of our Friendsgiving. Mr. Phil, Philando Castile, keeps on giving and supporting families in so many ways.
If you're in need this holiday season, please register for a Thanksgiving basket at the link below: https://form.jotform.com/232979030231149 Or scan the QR code to register. |
2023 Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship
Philando's family, along with Abdulaziz Mohamed, the seventh Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship recipient.
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On May 25, 2023 Abdulaziz Mohamed became the seventh recipient of the Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship. He graduated from Central High School and plans to attend the University of Minnesota in the Fall to study computer science.
The Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a St. Paul Central High School senior. The scholarship is administered by the Saint Paul Central High School Foundation (SPCHSF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All scholarship donations are directed to SPCHSF. For more information on the scholarship and on past recipients, visit Central Honors Philando. |
Valerie Castile says the state’s new school-meals law is an investment in Minnesota’s kids—and a tribute to her son, Philando. Sahan Journal (March 17, 2023)
For the past six years, Valerie Castile has helped raise more than $200,000 to pay off the cafeteria debt of kids who can’t afford school lunch. On Friday, Governor Tim Walz signed a bill providing a basic breakfast and lunch to every kid in Minnesota. Castile told Sahan Journal her activism came from “listening to God and the spirit of my son, and we just started helping people.”
For the past six years, Valerie Castile has helped raise more than $200,000 to pay off the cafeteria debt of kids who can’t afford school lunch. On Friday, Governor Tim Walz signed a bill providing a basic breakfast and lunch to every kid in Minnesota. Castile told Sahan Journal her activism came from “listening to God and the spirit of my son, and we just started helping people.”
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Paying off school lunch debt in Roseville Area Schools (February 17, 2023): "We (the Philando Castile Relief Foundation) are honored to donate $15,000 to Roseville Area Schools in my son's name," Valerie Castile said. "Philando knew the importance of kids being well fed to be ready to learn. School meals are so vitally important and we need to make it a priority in our state that all kids get fed with universal free meals." In addition to being recognized for their donation, foundation members visited Central Park Elementary School, met with Nutrition Services staff members, and enjoyed lunch with the school's youngest students.
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l-r: Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten (MN Dist. 66); Tracy Castile (PCRF treasurer), School Board Chair Curtis Johnson, Allysza Castile (PCRF vice president), Valerie Castile (PCRF president), Supt. Jenny Loeck, Renita Wilson (PCRF secretary), Clarence D. Castile (PCRF director)
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Central Honors Philando 2022:
Philando Castile honored in St. Paul with aim to raise scholarship funds. WCCO, CBS News Minnesota (Aug. 21, 2022)
Philando Castile honored in St. Paul with aim to raise scholarship funds. WCCO, CBS News Minnesota (Aug. 21, 2022)
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Congratulations to the 2022 recipient of the $5,000 Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship from Central High School: John Brooks. He is a remarkable young man who plans to attend the Culinary School of Arts. Visit Central Honors Philando for more information on the scholarship, past recipients, and 2022 events.
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Valerie Castile (l) presenting the 2022 Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship from Central High School to John Brooks (center).
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Bringing food to Sojourner Truth Academy
Valerie Castile, President of The Philando Castile Relief Foundation, met with Paris Ford, Associate Director of the Sojourner Truth Academy, and Lashaun to make a donation of over $2,000 in food gift cards to the Sojourner Truth Academy. "We would like to pay homage to one of our queen warriors, Ms. Sojourner, a women's activist and abolitionist, fighting for our civil rights during the Civil War," said Ms. Castile. (February 2022)
Valerie Castile, President of The Philando Castile Relief Foundation, met with Paris Ford, Associate Director of the Sojourner Truth Academy, and Lashaun to make a donation of over $2,000 in food gift cards to the Sojourner Truth Academy. "We would like to pay homage to one of our queen warriors, Ms. Sojourner, a women's activist and abolitionist, fighting for our civil rights during the Civil War," said Ms. Castile. (February 2022)
L-R: Lashaun, Valerie Castile, and Paris Ford
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Lashaun and Valerie Castile
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Hosting the Urban League Unity Ball
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Bringing food to the community
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Relieving Osseo Families with Meal Debt: The Philando Castile Relief Foundation donated $50,000 to Osseo School District #279 to support families with meal debt. Valerie Castile, CEO and president of the foundation, accompanied by other members of Philando Castile’s family presented the check at Palmer Lake Elementary School.
"Partnerships and donations such as the Philando Castile Relief Foundation gift are integral in helping to support our students and families in need," said Director of Nutrition Services Jeff Ansorge. (Nov. 5, 2021) |
Pictured: Valerie Castile, Supt. Cory McIntyre, Mayor of Brooklyn Center Mike Elliott, members of Philando Castile’s family, Director of Nutrition Services Jeff Ansorge, Palmer Lake Elementary School Principal Sarah Schmidt, and members of the Palmer Lake Elementary School Nutrition Services team.
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Central Honors Philando 2021: Congratulations to the 2021 recipient of the $5,000 Philando Castile Memorial Scholarship from Central High School: Aseem Elsayda. He is a remarkable young man who has overcome obstacles; worked very hard at home, in school and at work; is a great sportsman; speaks three languages; and has a GPA of 4.36! in his life Who has worked very Hard at Home, In School and at Work, he's Also A Great Sportsman that Speaks 3 languages with a GPA 4.36 . The Philando Castile Relief Foundation will provide him with a laptop to help him on his new journey. Visit Central Honors Philando for more information on the scholarship, past recipients, and 2021 events.
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WiFi and Food, Central High School, St. Paul, MN: The Philando Castile Relief Foundation (Clarence Castile, Director; Valerie Castile, President) working in partnership with PC For People, Central High School PAC, District 287, and Hallie Q Brown Center provided 250 families with a free hotspot and internet service for a year, and $15/month thereafter. Plus families received school supplies and food for several meals. (Apr. 2, 2020)
My Son, Philando Castile, Was a Role Model. Here’s How I’m Keeping His Legacy Alive: “He wanted to ensure every child got a chance to eat”, bon appétit (Feb. 12, 2021)
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The PCRF adopted families over the holidays, providing $50 Cub gift cards and $60 per child. (Dec. 19, 2020)
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The PCRF donated $10,000 to the St. Paul Central High School Parent Advisory Council to help with tutorial services, to help students struggling with distance learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Dec. 9, 2020)
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Responding to a funding request, the PCRF donated $15,000 to the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center to be used toward the 100s of families in need. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Community Center is servicing three times as many families as before the crisis. (Dec. 3, 2020)
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Friendsgiving! The PCRF and Ferndale Market partnered to provide 20 pound turkeys and food vouchers from Cub to those in need. (Nov. 18, 2020)
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$10 device could save Black motorists' lives, says Philando Castile's mom: A carrying pouch inspired by Philando Castile is designed to protect Black drivers, Star Tribune (Oct. 29, 2020)
The PCRF donated donated 20 pouches to the St. Paul 8218/Truce Center, an organization working to de-escalate youth disputes, and 30 to the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. |
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Intermediate District 287: The Philando Castile Relief Foundation donated $8,000 donation to help Intermediate District 287 families pay meal debts. (Feb. 14, 2020)
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Minneapolis Public Schools: The PCRF presented a check for over $11,000 to help cover the negative lunch balances at Marcy Open and other schools within the Minneapolis Public Schools district
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