June 19, 2025 • 35 mins
Transportation insecurity sounds like a cold, technical term—until you realize it's the difference between keeping a job and unemployment, accessing healthcare or suffering without it. While we readily understand food banks and homeless shelters, the critical nature of reliable transportation often goes unrecognized.
Steve Landau, president of Cars for Neighbors, joins the Kindness Matters podcast to shine light on this overlooked crisis. For 25 years, this nonprofit has been quietly repairing cars for low-income residents in Anoka County, Minnesota—a suburban area where public transportation is sparse and unreliable vehicles mean lost opportunities.
The conversation reveals shocking statistics: over 40% of Americans have gone into debt due to car repairs at some point in their lives. Even more concerning, a third of people cannot afford a repair exceeding $500 without sacrificing other essential needs or spiraling into debt. With most basic repairs starting at $1,000, it's easy to see how a simple mechanical failure can trigger a devastating cascade of consequences.
What makes Cars for Neighbors remarkable isn't just the practical assistance they provide, but the profound impact of their work. As one grateful recipient expressed: "Love, grace, mercy, compassion, charity and caring—I have experienced those things from Cars for Neighbors." This testimony beautifully captures how what appears to be a simple mechanical service transforms into something deeply human and life-changing.
Through partnerships with local repair shops and careful vetting of applicants, Cars for Neighbors stretches every donated dollar to help neighbors maintain independence and stability. They become that crucial support system for people lacking the social network or financial resources to handle unexpected automotive expenses.
Whether you're mechanically inclined or simply want to support a worthy cause, this conversation will change how you think about transportation's role in community stability. Tune in to discover how fixing cars becomes a powerful act of kindness that keeps communities moving forward, one repair at a time.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, hello there and welcome.
You are listening to theKindness Matters podcast and I
am your host, mike Rathbun.
What is this podcast all about?
It's about kindness.
It's a pushback againsteverything negative that we see
in the news and on social mediatoday, and it's a way to
(00:20):
highlight people, organizations,that are simply striving to
make their little corner of theworld a little better place.
If you want to join in on theconversation, feel free, Go
ahead and follow us on all ofyour social media feeds.
We're on Facebook, instagram,tiktok.
We're even on LinkedIn underMike Rathbun.
(00:42):
Check us out.
We're even on LinkedIn underMike Rathbun.
Check us out and, in themeantime, sit back, relax, enjoy
and we'll get into the KindnessMatters podcast.
Hey, welcome to the showeverybody.
Fantastic having you here.
Thank you so much for joining,for spending 30 minutes of your
(01:06):
time listening to me and myguest today.
I do really, really appreciateit, and you know what I'd
appreciate even more If youcould tell your friends, family,
co-workers, strangers on thestreet and maybe the deli guy at
the grocery store about theKindness Matters podcast.
It would be very muchappreciated.
(01:27):
But I'm happy that you're hereand that's the important thing.
I have a fantastic show for youtoday.
My guest today is Steve Landau,and he is the president of a
nonprofit organization calledCars for Neighbors, and it's
(01:47):
located in Anoka County,minnesota.
And this is something that,when we think of nonprofit
organizations, we think of foodshelves, we think of homeless
shelters, we think of mentorshipfor kids and that kind of thing
we very rarely ever think abouttransportation right and so I
(02:12):
thought it was important toshare Steve with you all.
I can't hog him all to myself,as much as I might like to.
So welcome to the show, steve.
Thank you so much for takingthe time to come on.
Yeah, thanks for having me MikePleasure.
The pleasure is all mine.
(02:33):
So, yeah, let's talk about this, because we've all heard about
food insecurity or healthinsecurity, where folks just
don't know when or if they'regoing to be able to access
(02:54):
either of those two thingsbefore, but until today I had
never heard of the termtransportation insecurity.
And really that's what you guysdo, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Yeah, it's the causes that you mentioned.
Right, they are basic needsthat everybody everybody thinks
of top of mind, right?
Food, shelter buttransportation is one of those
dominoes that oftentimes causesthe others to be in need.
(03:27):
So, yeah, I'm excited to talktransportation today, but more
so I get to volunteer with Carsfor Neighbors and I have the
pleasure of chairing and beingthe volunteer president of this
organization and being thevolunteer president of this
organization.
But the thing that drew me tothe organization and when you
(03:49):
talk transportation, theorganization is Cars for
Neighbors and specifically, werepair cars for neighbors and in
my mind, the piece that peoplefocus on oftentimes is the car
piece, which is the practicalneed.
But the thing that drew me inwas the practical need of our
(04:11):
neighbors.
When it comes to what is, whenI say the domino that might
cause the others, I think of formyself.
Even I'm in different stages oflife where resources may or may
not have been available for thethings I want to have.
It was, at times, the thingsthat we need, right.
(04:34):
And when you think about theunexpected scenarios that come
up most commonly in any of ourlives, that can throw our
finances into a loop, that canput us into debt and then cause
other things to need to be puton a credit card or we need to
borrow money for health expenses, car repairs those are in my
(04:57):
mind, and not just in my mind.
Studies show those are the toppieces that people, no matter
how prepared they might thinkthey are for the next stage,
those are the major expensesthat aren't often planned for or
aren't planned for to theextent that they might affect
somebody's life.
So, cars for Neighbors yeah, wehelp step in to help people with
(05:21):
car repair needs that haveeither fallen into a crisis of a
few other dominoes that havehappened in their lives, or
they're just getting going onreinventing what life can look
like and have gotten a new joband are back on their feet again
(05:41):
, and then they now need thatcar to get to work.
But there's a clunking thatstarts to happen and if they
ignore it it turns into ascreech, which turns into
thousands of dollars that theydon't quite have yet and they
(06:02):
may not have the network that isgoing to come in and help,
support them.
So we get to be that that thatfriend or that family member
that they may not have to comein and help with the one time,
like let's get, get you back onyour feet again before it
spirals into something else.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
Yeah, for sure, and you were talking about dominoes
and I, you know all, oftentimeswhen we talk about like I would,
I've spoken to directors offood shelves and they talk about
how you know these people were,they were fine, they didn't
need the food shelf, they couldgo buy groceries and what have
you.
And then they had that onething, and it was generally.
(06:41):
People talk about medicalexpenses.
Right, you have a huge medicalbill that you didn't see coming
and that caused you to be foodinsecure because you have X
number of resources during themonth and this big bill just
dropped.
(07:02):
But car repair, especially thesedays, because car repairs are
getting more and more expensive,are they not?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
So, and even though we don'tnecessarily think about it, that
could absolutely be the case.
And you know, I mean I've gotfriends, um, and you know I, I
(07:22):
mean we, I've got friends.
If I needed a break job, forexample, I know somebody I could
call to help me with that.
But oftentimes people don'tnecessarily either they either
lack that network that you weretalking about, and and then, and
then they don't know you guysexist, yeah, yeah, and then they
(07:44):
don't know you guys exist.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Yeah, yeah.
And if you talk about expensesgoing up, I saw there was a
study done about five years agoor so and it conveyed that 40%
it was over 40% of people atsome point in their life have
(08:06):
gone into debt because of carrepair.
So you talk about therelatability of like this is not
something that just affectsright, a small percentage of the
community it affects a largeportion of people at different
stages of life, depending ondifferent circumstances and
(08:27):
depending on the dominoes thatwe referenced that fall, but it
was interesting to also see thatit was something along the
lines of a third of people atany point would not be able to
(08:48):
pay for more than a $500 carrepair without going into debt
or without it sacrificing otherbasic needs at that point, and
so this was five years ago.
Most of the car repairs that wesee coming into the shops that
we partner with are minimum$1,000 to take care of a basic
(09:12):
need to keep the car on the road, and so we yeah, and oftentimes
it ends up being $1,500.
That's kind of the cap that weend up putting toward the car
repairs to help keep the carback on the road.
Um, but, uh, yeah, it's.
It has grown exponentially overthe past few years and so, um,
(09:34):
income levels have started torise with that, but not to the
same extent that the cost hashas risen.
So, um, we're saying we needcontinue to be there, and it's
through gracious donors thatpower.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
This though, oh for sure, and I saw a stat, since
you were talking stats 16%, andthis is okay.
This is 2022.
So this is three years ago 16%of adults earning less than the
federal poverty level lackedreliable transportation in the
(10:11):
last 12 months, compared withjust 2.9% of adults who earned
at least 400 times the federalpoverty level.
I knew I was going to mess itup Federal poverty level, and
knew I was going to mess it upFederal poverty level, and that
just blows me away.
And because it's one thing ifyou live in an urban area, right
(10:35):
Like Minneapolis, let's say, orSt Paul, because if your car
breaks down, odds are prettygood you can find a bus or a
train to get you to where youneed to be doctor's appointment,
grocery store but now and we'rein ham lake, we're in anoka
(10:56):
county, and it's what are we?
Speaker 2 (10:58):
third ring suburb I don't say third ring I I don't
know it's, it's county, morethan one or two rings, for sure.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Yeah, Right, yeah, and there really is not a lot of
of mass transportation out herein this area.
So I think it becomes even morecritical at that stage for
areas like ours.
And, and I have no idea whathappens, you know out in a, you
(11:29):
know in a really rural areawhere you have to travel.
You know 50, 60 miles to get toa, a store.
Yeah, I'm sorry, I heard anoise.
I apologize, um so, and I haveabsolutely no idea where I was
going with that, steve.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Well, I will say yes, because that's kind of if
you're going to hear somethingin response.
Well, what about publictransportation?
Well, like you said, if you'refar enough out and removed, said
, if you're far enough out andremoved, this was a need that,
(12:13):
fortunately, people that camebefore me, they saw this need.
This organization has been inexistence for 25 years, that's
right Congratulations.
Thank you.
Thank you, but, like I said,that's a credit to people.
I've been involved with thisorganization for about five
years, so 20 years prior to mybeing here and now, working
alongside of other greatvolunteers and staff.
(12:34):
This small nonprofit hascontinued to see the need and
when they started it it was agroup of local community members
and churches that said how canwe help people?
The original name was Free toBe how can we help people be
free to be in order to livetheir life to the fullest?
(12:56):
And then realized throughrenditions of the organization
that the biggest impact that wasbeing made was through
repairing people's cars.
That was the one piece that wasthe most impactful that they
could make a difference with.
And it has continued fromvolunteer mechanics early on to
(13:17):
now partnering with a primaryshop that offers really reliable
car repair services at adiscounted rate for us, so we
are able to stretch the dollarsfurther and we're able to vet
the need of people coming in.
So if people want to help withthat sort of domino, as we've
(13:38):
described it here in thisconversation, the biggest
question that we come acrosswhen people donate to any and
I've been working with othernonprofits throughout the years
and the question that comes backfrom people who donate is how
can you ensure that thesedollars go to somebody who
(13:59):
actually needs them for one?
If that's the question thatyou're asking, personally, I
feel like, okay, if you'regiving and you're hoping that it
makes a difference.
You can't control all thevariables on the back end, but
I'll say that when you'reworking with an organization
that, at least, is looking attax return documents to see
(14:23):
where they fall within theguidelines of very low to low
poverty levels and you knowthose are the groups that are
being served through anorganization and they're going
to go toward a very specificpiece that is going to help in
most any circumstance, keeppeople be self-sustainable, keep
people working, keep people injobs and and keep them getting
(14:46):
to their medical appointments,shopping, their kids to and from
school.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Right.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
You get that sort of assurance when you work with an
organization such as a Cars forNeighbors or whatever your local
nonprofit is in your area thatis helping in a very specific
way for a very specific need.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Yeah, now walk me through the application process.
Somebody they've got a carrepair they need and they find
out about you guys.
What goes into getting them thehelp that they need?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Yeah, it's a pretty straightforward application and
has some basic questions aboutreally some demographic
information, because we do relyon some grants that that we have
to report back to when it comesto that.
But ultimately we're looking atwhat are your what, what sort
of income are you claimingagainst what our criteria is?
(15:48):
And then we ask a basicquestion of how is this car
repair going to help you?
And for a lot of this it isjust affirmation of hearing the
stories of what comes out ofthis.
So in some cases it's, it'sgoing to help me.
We've literally had the commentput down of I just got a new
(16:12):
job and I cannot afford to losethis job and my car is the only
way that will get me there.
Please help.
In other cases it's I havemedical appointments that I have
to get to, I'm on a fixedincome and I don't have the
resources to repair my car rightnow, but I have these
(16:32):
unexpected bills that have comeup and it just humanizes
something that is a veryoftentimes when you talk about
the mission of car repair, itcan sound very transactional
when you talk about car repair.
Car repair.
It can sound very transactionalwhen you talk about car repair
To say, oh, we replaced thismany tires this month in
(16:53):
Minnesota, going into winter forpeople that weren't going to
have fresh tires on their car.
It doesn't have the same impactas hearing the story of who is
this?
These are real people with realneeds and oftentimes, real
circumstances that are outsideof their own control that we're
helping step in for and throughthat whole thing that I just
(17:14):
said.
I actually forgot what yourinitial question was, so I hope
that I answered it in thatprocess.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
It works for me.
Actually, I was going to.
I was going to ask you if youhad any testimonials or
real-life examples of how thishas helped some people.
Do you have any favorites?
Speaker 2 (17:34):
You know I actually keep a little log on my phone of
a few of them.
Funny you should mention that.
Give me a second here.
Let me see if I can get it.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Now, do you guys still do?
I know at one time you didweekend car clinics where people
would get together and just dobasic maintenance on the cars.
Or maybe you don't do thatanymore.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
We don't do that anymore.
I came on during the pandemictime onto this board, so there
were a lot of limitations atthat point.
But I will say we're a small,nimble organization that's open
to opportunities as they come up.
So if we have volunteers onceagain who are skilled in that
(18:21):
area and want to get involved inthis community, please reach
out Because, like I said, we areopen to putting passionate
people where they can use theirskills.
So if I'm someone who can'tturn a wrench.
I can, I can the lights light upon my dashboard, but I am not
going to be the person that'sout there working on a car, and
(18:42):
nobody wants me to be doing thatfor them.
But if you have that skill set,please, please, please, reach
out, and we'd love to.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
I'm pretty sure the term idiot light was invented
for me, after me, or somethinglike that, that's a good term I
did find.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
So I do have stories off the top of my head that I
could reference, but I like toquote first-round responses,
since we collect thatinformation, and one of these
quotes that I saw that had comethrough from one of the people
that we have served is this, andI think it matches up really
(19:23):
well with what the name of thispodcast is so kindness matters.
This person said love, grace,mercy, compassion, charity and
caring.
Those are very valuablequalities.
I have experienced those thingsfrom Cars for Neighbors.
Thank you so much for helpingme with my car repairs.
(19:43):
In a crisis in my life.
It means so much to be able tohave a dependable and reliable
car.
What you do makes a world ofdifference, Wow.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
That's so cool.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Right, I would love to have like.
This is a billboard in itselffor the outcome that you hope to
have come through any nonprofitserving basic needs.
But again, when we talk carrepair we don't necessarily
think the words love, grace,mercy, compassion, charity and
(20:16):
caring, but the car repair isthe means to be able to live
those pieces out and we happento be positioned to be a conduit
for people who want to make adifference for other people in
their community.
But they might not have theperson come up to them
personally and say I'm in needof a car repair and I need some
(20:37):
help.
That's not going to be a common, everyday occurrence.
That happens in our lives.
But guess what?
There is a path that people cango to and it's as simple as
going online, fill out a quickapplication, send it in to us
and we take it from there andhelp the person that's right in
front of us.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Yeah, for sure I have .
Actually, my wife and I have ahome cleaning business.
That's my paying job, this ismy fun job and we had employees
at one time and we had oneperson and she had two kids,
single mom, and her van wasconstantly overheating and I'm
(21:20):
like I'm useless to you.
I wish I could help you.
I wish I knew what to do.
I have absolutely no idea.
She didn't have any extra moneylaying around to go get it
fixed.
I said call Cars for Neighbors.
I mean you guys really need tobe.
I don't know you don'tadvertise or anything, do you?
Do you have fundraisers?
Speaker 2 (21:42):
We do.
We do have fundraisers.
We have in the fall we have ourlargest fundraiser, which is
called Carcino Night.
So it is funny money games thatwe are playing as a community
and all the proceeds go to Carsfor Neighbors and car repair and
we actually just partnered.
We have some businesses andcorporations that will put on
(22:06):
events on behalf of Cars forNeighbors, so we have a few of
those that take place throughoutthe year and those tend to
rotate a little bit more becausewe have different businesses
that want to be more involved inthe community.
So it's great to see localcommerce step up and say we want
to pull people together as wellin our networks and connect
them to the cause.
(22:26):
But yeah, outside of that,we're fortunate to have a local
billboard company donate abillboard and promotional spot
to Cars for Neighbors, alongwith some other nonprofits here
in the area.
So we've had a prominent spot ona local highway recently to
help people know that they candonate cars to cars for
(22:48):
neighbors and we will turn thatinto car repairs for for others
uh, as well.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
So I haven't seen it yet.
Is it out on 65?
Speaker 2 (22:58):
yeah, yeah, uh, wait, no, actually just a little
further down, uh, on 10, and I'mnot sure which one of those
billboards.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Okay, there's a series of electronic billboards
oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, that arenice, nice, and because I, I
think and I don't know, um, andyou've, you've been involved in
non-profits for quite a while,for what?
Most of your working life,haven't you?
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (23:24):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
What is it about people who get involved in
nonprofits and they just keepstaying with them?
It must be just a.
Is it a call to serve?
Speaker 2 (23:34):
You know, um, I'll, I'll tell you my path, because
my path might be different thanthan others.
But, uh, I'm guessing thatthere are pieces that line up
with with others.
Um, seen that there are piecesthat line up with with others?
Um, so I started, uh, as a Iwas a physiology and exercise
science major out of college,which makes perfect sense to go
into the non-profit world, right, I mean, it's just a brainer no
(23:58):
, not at all okay uh so I oh,you were being sarcastic.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
I get it, sorry, I kind of went over my head, yeah
you cut that out of you.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
No, we'll leave it.
All right.
So I started personal trainingfor a group of small training
studios and my goal was that Iwas I was going to come out
intrinsically.
I knew I wanted to help peopleand I wanted to help people with
healthy habits and to livebetter lives, and it was really
(24:28):
fulfilling in that regard.
But, I then learned about, as Iwas looking at, what the next
opportunity was going to be.
I learned that, hey, I could dothe same thing, working with
potentially a differentdemographic of people that might
(24:48):
not be able to afford myservices and have funds go
toward other programs.
I partnered up with the YMCA.
I started working with the Y.
It was my first nonprofit workexperience and really, like I
said, it was the opportunity touse my skill set that I had gone
(25:11):
and obtained a four-year degreeand was now using it and now I
could use that skill set.
That was not only going to helpthe person in front of me but
also was going to help withyouth development opportunities
and it was going to help withhomelessness prevention work
that was being done through theY and it was going to help kids
(25:32):
that couldn't afford swimlessons learn how to swim.
And I thought what a better wayto use your skills than to help
others beyond what I'm able todo by myself, what I'm able to
do by myself.
So, when it came to workingwith nonprofits, I ended up with
the Y for over a decade andserved in different capacities
(25:54):
that took me into moreorganizational, leadership type
of roles and partnering withother nonprofits.
And that's actually how I gotconnected with Cars for
Neighbors was I was working inthe same community as Cars for
Neighbors and we were at thetime I mentioned.
I started with Cars forNeighbors during COVID.
(26:15):
Well, at the time, with the Y,we had transitioned into serving
food for people that were outof jobs and were in need of
assistance, and they weredriving up to the Y for food
distribution.
And the executive director, whoI knew from Cars for Neighbors,
(26:35):
said hey, while these people aredriving up, you mind, if we put
a sign out here that says, ifyou're in need of car repair or
you know somebody in need, reachout, cars for Neighbors can
help.
And I said, said this is ano-brainer and I learned more
about the organization and, yeah, it helped keep me connected to
the non-profit world, evenafter, professionally, I'm not
(26:57):
any longer with the y, but Istill find those connections to
uh, stay connected to in in theeasiest way to say it is.
I continue to try to find waysto use my skill set to impact
others in a much bigger way thanI could do by myself.
(27:18):
So I can't turn a wrench, butpeople that Cars for Neighbors
work with they can, and I knowwhat the need is like and,
because I can't turn a wrench, Iknow what it's like also to
have the lights come on.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
You can put yourself in the client's position.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
And I could use some assistance in the next step.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Yeah, and we were talking before the show and you
were talking about your time atthe Y, I had no idea that the Y
was involved.
I mean, yes, as a child I tookswimming lessons at the Y, I
think I don't know why.
Well, I mean I know why,obviously, but they didn't stick
(28:05):
by the way, I can't swim tothis day, but that's neither
here nor there.
But dude, the homelessnessthing, I had no idea you guys
were that the Y was involved inthat.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
They do a lot of non-profit stuff.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Yep, yep.
So they have a whole unit thatis the youth intervention team
and they serve.
At the time it was primarilyout of an office in northeast
Minneapolis and they would dostreet outreach services.
They would work on job trainingskills and get kids connected
(28:43):
to.
How do you, how do you set up apath to success and a lot of
times working in collaborationwith social services and county
resources, to be able to say howcan the why help step in and
fill in a gap.
So again, passionate people,right, how can I use my skill
set in a way that may not be thewhole wraparound services that
(29:08):
somebody needs to create aself-sustaining life, but you
can play just a role in it.
There are a lot of people alongthe way that are also in that
same mindset, and if we can allbe working in that same
direction, the world's going tobe a better place.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
Absolutely, absolutely.
I absolutely love this.
I love I'm losing my earphone,whatever I, just because and the
need for something like this, Ithink, is far greater than
(29:47):
anybody really even knows.
And I love that you guys areout there doing it and that
you're able to provide theseservices.
And if I had a hat, it would beoff to you guys for that and
you touched on it briefly, butcongratulations.
You guys are celebrating 25years this year, right?
Speaker 2 (30:08):
Yeah, yep, 25 years this fall.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
Are you having a big gala?
Speaker 2 (30:13):
We are having our signature Carcino Night event.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
Okay, just a little bigger, a little better, because
of 25 years.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Just a little bigger and better because of 25 years,
but uh, it's still the samecause.
It's always been, and we'rehoping to have more people rally
around it this year that'sfantastic.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Um, I will have your, your website url.
Your link can't come up withwords In the show notes for
anybody.
If you want to donate, thiswould be a fantastic cause to
donate to.
I know we're all stretched thinthese days.
(30:56):
So if you live in the Ham Lakearea of Minnesota and you're
handy with cars and you don'thave any money to donate, but
you have time, and you're handywith cars and you don't have any
money to donate, but you havetime, certainly reach out to
Steve and the folks over at Carsfor Neighbors.
(31:16):
Do we say the business you'repartnering with, do we shout
them?
Speaker 2 (31:21):
out.
Oh yeah, yeah, we servicethrough Meineke Car Care in Ham
Lake and they've beenexceptional partners for us.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
Family-run business right.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Family-run business.
Yeah, Yep, they've been greatto work with and they have a
heart toward our mission andthat's the reason they partner
with us.
And, like I said, if it wasn'tfor their partnership, we would
not be able to stretch thedollars nearly as far as we're
able to, because labor is a bigexpense when it comes to car
(31:53):
care.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
Oh my gosh.
Yes, yes, for sure.
Yeah, and I know them.
As I mentioned, my wife and Ihave a cleaning business and we
have always taken our vehiclesthere for service and they are
super fantastic and superamazing.
They're fair, you know, and ifyou don't need this, Did I tell
(32:18):
you that story?
I took my car to someplace thatwas making a noise.
The guy looked at me and wentoh, you need this and this and
this and this and this and thisand this, and it's like $1,500,
right worth of stuff that Ineeded.
I'm like it's not going to beany time.
I don't know why I went to thatplace, but I took it to Meineke
and they're like you don't needany of that.
I think the biggest one was awater pump, Like your water
(32:40):
pump's gone out, and I went andtook it to Meine at a Meineke,
and they're like it's not.
And that made me a customer forlife, right.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
Yeah, and that's a big part of it is knowing that
who you're working with isethical and is going to shoot
straight with these are actualneeds, right, and so they
prioritize them for us and tellus these are the actual needs,
these are the niceties furtherdown the list and we focus on
the needs in particular.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
Um, and it's been a great partnership for us well,
I'm probably going to tag themwhen I promo this show then yep,
yep, that works uh, steve,thank you so much for taking the
time today.
I really appreciate you and Iappreciate your organization.
Uh, you guys are doing suchfantastic and needed work and
(33:29):
keep on doing what you're doing,man.
Speaker 2 (33:31):
You as well, Mike.
Appreciate you having me on.
Speaker 1 (33:34):
Thanks, I appreciate it.
We will talk again soon.
All right, sounds great.
I want to thank you for takingthis time to listen to this
episode with my guest, steveLandau from Cars for Neighbors.
I hope that you're able to takesomething positive from the time
(33:55):
that you spent with us today.
Maybe you'll be inspired, maybeyou'll be motivated, maybe
you'll be moved.
Maybe you'll start a car repairnonprofit.
Maybe you'll start a car repairnonprofit, whatever it is.
If you've got any of thosepositive feelings, please share
that with your family andfriends.
Let them know there's a podcastout there that gives you
(34:19):
goosebumps from time to time.
I am always striving to offeryou a better podcast, so give me
some feedback.
Will you Let me know how youthink I'm doing?
Email me, leave me a message.
It would mean the world.
Also.
Feel free to follow us on oursocial media pages like Facebook
(34:40):
, instagram, linkedin and TikTok.
This podcast is part of theMayday Media Network.
If you have an idea for apodcast and need some production
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And also make sure to check outthe many different shows, like
(35:03):
Afrocentric Spoil, my MovieGeneration Mixtape In a Pickle
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We'll be back again next weekwith a new episode and we would
be honored if you would join us.
(35:24):
You've been listening to theKindness Matters Podcast.
I'm your host, mike Rathbun.
Have a fantastic week.
Well, hello there and welcome.
You are listening to theKindness Matters podcast and I
am your host, mike Rathbun.
What is this podcast all about?
It's about kindness.
It's a pushback againsteverything negative that we see
in the news and on social mediatoday, and it's a way to
(00:20):
highlight people, organizations,that are simply striving to
make their little corner of theworld a little better place.
If you want to join in on theconversation, feel free, Go
ahead and follow us on all ofyour social media feeds.
We're on Facebook, instagram,tiktok.
We're even on LinkedIn underMike Rathbun.
(00:42):
Check us out.
We're even on LinkedIn underMike Rathbun.
Check us out and, in themeantime, sit back, relax, enjoy
and we'll get into the KindnessMatters podcast.
Hey, welcome to the showeverybody.
Fantastic having you here.
Thank you so much for joining,for spending 30 minutes of your
(01:06):
time listening to me and myguest today.
I do really, really appreciateit, and you know what I'd
appreciate even more If youcould tell your friends, family,
co-workers, strangers on thestreet and maybe the deli guy at
the grocery store about theKindness Matters podcast.
It would be very muchappreciated.
(01:27):
But I'm happy that you're hereand that's the important thing.
I have a fantastic show for youtoday.
My guest today is Steve Landau,and he is the president of a
nonprofit organization calledCars for Neighbors, and it's
(01:47):
located in Anoka County,minnesota.
And this is something that,when we think of nonprofit
organizations, we think of foodshelves, we think of homeless
shelters, we think of mentorshipfor kids and that kind of thing
we very rarely ever think abouttransportation right and so I
(02:12):
thought it was important toshare Steve with you all.
I can't hog him all to myself,as much as I might like to.
So welcome to the show, steve.
Thank you so much for takingthe time to come on.
Yeah, thanks for having me MikePleasure.
The pleasure is all mine.
(02:33):
So, yeah, let's talk about this, because we've all heard about
food insecurity or healthinsecurity, where folks just
don't know when or if they'regoing to be able to access
(02:54):
either of those two thingsbefore, but until today I had
never heard of the termtransportation insecurity.
And really that's what you guysdo, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Yeah, it's the causes that you mentioned.
Right, they are basic needsthat everybody everybody thinks
of top of mind, right?
Food, shelter buttransportation is one of those
dominoes that oftentimes causesthe others to be in need.
(03:27):
So, yeah, I'm excited to talktransportation today, but more
so I get to volunteer with Carsfor Neighbors and I have the
pleasure of chairing and beingthe volunteer president of this
organization and being thevolunteer president of this
organization.
But the thing that drew me tothe organization and when you
(03:49):
talk transportation, theorganization is Cars for
Neighbors and specifically, werepair cars for neighbors and in
my mind, the piece that peoplefocus on oftentimes is the car
piece, which is the practicalneed.
But the thing that drew me inwas the practical need of our
(04:11):
neighbors.
When it comes to what is, whenI say the domino that might
cause the others, I think of formyself.
Even I'm in different stages oflife where resources may or may
not have been available for thethings I want to have.
It was, at times, the thingsthat we need, right.
(04:34):
And when you think about theunexpected scenarios that come
up most commonly in any of ourlives, that can throw our
finances into a loop, that canput us into debt and then cause
other things to need to be puton a credit card or we need to
borrow money for health expenses, car repairs those are in my
(04:57):
mind, and not just in my mind.
Studies show those are the toppieces that people, no matter
how prepared they might thinkthey are for the next stage,
those are the major expensesthat aren't often planned for or
aren't planned for to theextent that they might affect
somebody's life.
So, cars for Neighbors yeah, wehelp step in to help people with
(05:21):
car repair needs that haveeither fallen into a crisis of a
few other dominoes that havehappened in their lives, or
they're just getting going onreinventing what life can look
like and have gotten a new joband are back on their feet again
(05:41):
, and then they now need thatcar to get to work.
But there's a clunking thatstarts to happen and if they
ignore it it turns into ascreech, which turns into
thousands of dollars that theydon't quite have yet and they
(06:02):
may not have the network that isgoing to come in and help,
support them.
So we get to be that that thatfriend or that family member
that they may not have to comein and help with the one time,
like let's get, get you back onyour feet again before it
spirals into something else.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
Yeah, for sure, and you were talking about dominoes
and I, you know all, oftentimeswhen we talk about like I would,
I've spoken to directors offood shelves and they talk about
how you know these people were,they were fine, they didn't
need the food shelf, they couldgo buy groceries and what have
you.
And then they had that onething, and it was generally.
(06:41):
People talk about medicalexpenses.
Right, you have a huge medicalbill that you didn't see coming
and that caused you to be foodinsecure because you have X
number of resources during themonth and this big bill just
dropped.
(07:02):
But car repair, especially thesedays, because car repairs are
getting more and more expensive,are they not?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
So, and even though we don'tnecessarily think about it, that
could absolutely be the case.
And you know, I mean I've gotfriends, um, and you know I, I
(07:22):
mean we, I've got friends.
If I needed a break job, forexample, I know somebody I could
call to help me with that.
But oftentimes people don'tnecessarily either they either
lack that network that you weretalking about, and and then, and
then they don't know you guysexist, yeah, yeah, and then they
(07:44):
don't know you guys exist.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Yeah, yeah.
And if you talk about expensesgoing up, I saw there was a
study done about five years agoor so and it conveyed that 40%
it was over 40% of people atsome point in their life have
(08:06):
gone into debt because of carrepair.
So you talk about therelatability of like this is not
something that just affectsright, a small percentage of the
community it affects a largeportion of people at different
stages of life, depending ondifferent circumstances and
(08:27):
depending on the dominoes thatwe referenced that fall, but it
was interesting to also see thatit was something along the
lines of a third of people atany point would not be able to
(08:48):
pay for more than a $500 carrepair without going into debt
or without it sacrificing otherbasic needs at that point, and
so this was five years ago.
Most of the car repairs that wesee coming into the shops that
we partner with are minimum$1,000 to take care of a basic
(09:12):
need to keep the car on the road, and so we yeah, and oftentimes
it ends up being $1,500.
That's kind of the cap that weend up putting toward the car
repairs to help keep the carback on the road.
Um, but, uh, yeah, it's.
It has grown exponentially overthe past few years and so, um,
(09:34):
income levels have started torise with that, but not to the
same extent that the cost hashas risen.
So, um, we're saying we needcontinue to be there, and it's
through gracious donors thatpower.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
This though, oh for sure, and I saw a stat, since
you were talking stats 16%, andthis is okay.
This is 2022.
So this is three years ago 16%of adults earning less than the
federal poverty level lackedreliable transportation in the
(10:11):
last 12 months, compared withjust 2.9% of adults who earned
at least 400 times the federalpoverty level.
I knew I was going to mess itup Federal poverty level, and
knew I was going to mess it upFederal poverty level, and that
just blows me away.
And because it's one thing ifyou live in an urban area, right
(10:35):
Like Minneapolis, let's say, orSt Paul, because if your car
breaks down, odds are prettygood you can find a bus or a
train to get you to where youneed to be doctor's appointment,
grocery store but now and we'rein ham lake, we're in anoka
(10:56):
county, and it's what are we?
Speaker 2 (10:58):
third ring suburb I don't say third ring I I don't
know it's, it's county, morethan one or two rings, for sure.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Yeah, Right, yeah, and there really is not a lot of
of mass transportation out herein this area.
So I think it becomes even morecritical at that stage for
areas like ours.
And, and I have no idea whathappens, you know out in a, you
(11:29):
know in a really rural areawhere you have to travel.
You know 50, 60 miles to get toa, a store.
Yeah, I'm sorry, I heard anoise.
I apologize, um so, and I haveabsolutely no idea where I was
going with that, steve.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Well, I will say yes, because that's kind of if
you're going to hear somethingin response.
Well, what about publictransportation?
Well, like you said, if you'refar enough out and removed, said
, if you're far enough out andremoved, this was a need that,
(12:13):
fortunately, people that camebefore me, they saw this need.
This organization has been inexistence for 25 years, that's
right Congratulations.
Thank you.
Thank you, but, like I said,that's a credit to people.
I've been involved with thisorganization for about five
years, so 20 years prior to mybeing here and now, working
alongside of other greatvolunteers and staff.
(12:34):
This small nonprofit hascontinued to see the need and
when they started it it was agroup of local community members
and churches that said how canwe help people?
The original name was Free toBe how can we help people be
free to be in order to livetheir life to the fullest?
(12:56):
And then realized throughrenditions of the organization
that the biggest impact that wasbeing made was through
repairing people's cars.
That was the one piece that wasthe most impactful that they
could make a difference with.
And it has continued fromvolunteer mechanics early on to
(13:17):
now partnering with a primaryshop that offers really reliable
car repair services at adiscounted rate for us, so we
are able to stretch the dollarsfurther and we're able to vet
the need of people coming in.
So if people want to help withthat sort of domino, as we've
(13:38):
described it here in thisconversation, the biggest
question that we come acrosswhen people donate to any and
I've been working with othernonprofits throughout the years
and the question that comes backfrom people who donate is how
can you ensure that thesedollars go to somebody who
(13:59):
actually needs them for one?
If that's the question thatyou're asking, personally, I
feel like, okay, if you'regiving and you're hoping that it
makes a difference.
You can't control all thevariables on the back end, but
I'll say that when you'reworking with an organization
that, at least, is looking attax return documents to see
(14:23):
where they fall within theguidelines of very low to low
poverty levels and you knowthose are the groups that are
being served through anorganization and they're going
to go toward a very specificpiece that is going to help in
most any circumstance, keeppeople be self-sustainable, keep
people working, keep people injobs and and keep them getting
(14:46):
to their medical appointments,shopping, their kids to and from
school.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Right.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
You get that sort of assurance when you work with an
organization such as a Cars forNeighbors or whatever your local
nonprofit is in your area thatis helping in a very specific
way for a very specific need.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Yeah, now walk me through the application process.
Somebody they've got a carrepair they need and they find
out about you guys.
What goes into getting them thehelp that they need?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Yeah, it's a pretty straightforward application and
has some basic questions aboutreally some demographic
information, because we do relyon some grants that that we have
to report back to when it comesto that.
But ultimately we're looking atwhat are your what, what sort
of income are you claimingagainst what our criteria is?
(15:48):
And then we ask a basicquestion of how is this car
repair going to help you?
And for a lot of this it isjust affirmation of hearing the
stories of what comes out ofthis.
So in some cases it's, it'sgoing to help me.
We've literally had the commentput down of I just got a new
(16:12):
job and I cannot afford to losethis job and my car is the only
way that will get me there.
Please help.
In other cases it's I havemedical appointments that I have
to get to, I'm on a fixedincome and I don't have the
resources to repair my car rightnow, but I have these
(16:32):
unexpected bills that have comeup and it just humanizes
something that is a veryoftentimes when you talk about
the mission of car repair, itcan sound very transactional
when you talk about car repair.
Car repair.
It can sound very transactionalwhen you talk about car repair
To say, oh, we replaced thismany tires this month in
(16:53):
Minnesota, going into winter forpeople that weren't going to
have fresh tires on their car.
It doesn't have the same impactas hearing the story of who is
this?
These are real people with realneeds and oftentimes, real
circumstances that are outsideof their own control that we're
helping step in for and throughthat whole thing that I just
(17:14):
said.
I actually forgot what yourinitial question was, so I hope
that I answered it in thatprocess.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
It works for me.
Actually, I was going to.
I was going to ask you if youhad any testimonials or
real-life examples of how thishas helped some people.
Do you have any favorites?
Speaker 2 (17:34):
You know I actually keep a little log on my phone of
a few of them.
Funny you should mention that.
Give me a second here.
Let me see if I can get it.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Now, do you guys still do?
I know at one time you didweekend car clinics where people
would get together and just dobasic maintenance on the cars.
Or maybe you don't do thatanymore.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
We don't do that anymore.
I came on during the pandemictime onto this board, so there
were a lot of limitations atthat point.
But I will say we're a small,nimble organization that's open
to opportunities as they come up.
So if we have volunteers onceagain who are skilled in that
(18:21):
area and want to get involved inthis community, please reach
out Because, like I said, we areopen to putting passionate
people where they can use theirskills.
So if I'm someone who can'tturn a wrench.
I can, I can the lights light upon my dashboard, but I am not
going to be the person that'sout there working on a car, and
(18:42):
nobody wants me to be doing thatfor them.
But if you have that skill set,please, please, please, reach
out, and we'd love to.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
I'm pretty sure the term idiot light was invented
for me, after me, or somethinglike that, that's a good term I
did find.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
So I do have stories off the top of my head that I
could reference, but I like toquote first-round responses,
since we collect thatinformation, and one of these
quotes that I saw that had comethrough from one of the people
that we have served is this, andI think it matches up really
(19:23):
well with what the name of thispodcast is so kindness matters.
This person said love, grace,mercy, compassion, charity and
caring.
Those are very valuablequalities.
I have experienced those thingsfrom Cars for Neighbors.
Thank you so much for helpingme with my car repairs.
(19:43):
In a crisis in my life.
It means so much to be able tohave a dependable and reliable
car.
What you do makes a world ofdifference, Wow.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
That's so cool.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Right, I would love to have like.
This is a billboard in itselffor the outcome that you hope to
have come through any nonprofitserving basic needs.
But again, when we talk carrepair we don't necessarily
think the words love, grace,mercy, compassion, charity and
(20:16):
caring, but the car repair isthe means to be able to live
those pieces out and we happento be positioned to be a conduit
for people who want to make adifference for other people in
their community.
But they might not have theperson come up to them
personally and say I'm in needof a car repair and I need some
(20:37):
help.
That's not going to be a common, everyday occurrence.
That happens in our lives.
But guess what?
There is a path that people cango to and it's as simple as
going online, fill out a quickapplication, send it in to us
and we take it from there andhelp the person that's right in
front of us.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Yeah, for sure I have .
Actually, my wife and I have ahome cleaning business.
That's my paying job, this ismy fun job and we had employees
at one time and we had oneperson and she had two kids,
single mom, and her van wasconstantly overheating and I'm
(21:20):
like I'm useless to you.
I wish I could help you.
I wish I knew what to do.
I have absolutely no idea.
She didn't have any extra moneylaying around to go get it
fixed.
I said call Cars for Neighbors.
I mean you guys really need tobe.
I don't know you don'tadvertise or anything, do you?
Do you have fundraisers?
Speaker 2 (21:42):
We do.
We do have fundraisers.
We have in the fall we have ourlargest fundraiser, which is
called Carcino Night.
So it is funny money games thatwe are playing as a community
and all the proceeds go to Carsfor Neighbors and car repair and
we actually just partnered.
We have some businesses andcorporations that will put on
(22:06):
events on behalf of Cars forNeighbors, so we have a few of
those that take place throughoutthe year and those tend to
rotate a little bit more becausewe have different businesses
that want to be more involved inthe community.
So it's great to see localcommerce step up and say we want
to pull people together as wellin our networks and connect
them to the cause.
(22:26):
But yeah, outside of that,we're fortunate to have a local
billboard company donate abillboard and promotional spot
to Cars for Neighbors, alongwith some other nonprofits here
in the area.
So we've had a prominent spot ona local highway recently to
help people know that they candonate cars to cars for
(22:48):
neighbors and we will turn thatinto car repairs for for others
uh, as well.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
So I haven't seen it yet.
Is it out on 65?
Speaker 2 (22:58):
yeah, yeah, uh, wait, no, actually just a little
further down, uh, on 10, and I'mnot sure which one of those
billboards.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Okay, there's a series of electronic billboards
oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, that arenice, nice, and because I, I
think and I don't know, um, andyou've, you've been involved in
non-profits for quite a while,for what?
Most of your working life,haven't you?
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (23:24):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
What is it about people who get involved in
nonprofits and they just keepstaying with them?
It must be just a.
Is it a call to serve?
Speaker 2 (23:34):
You know, um, I'll, I'll tell you my path, because
my path might be different thanthan others.
But, uh, I'm guessing thatthere are pieces that line up
with with others.
Um, seen that there are piecesthat line up with with others?
Um, so I started, uh, as a Iwas a physiology and exercise
science major out of college,which makes perfect sense to go
into the non-profit world, right, I mean, it's just a brainer no
(23:58):
, not at all okay uh so I oh,you were being sarcastic.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
I get it, sorry, I kind of went over my head, yeah
you cut that out of you.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
No, we'll leave it.
All right.
So I started personal trainingfor a group of small training
studios and my goal was that Iwas I was going to come out
intrinsically.
I knew I wanted to help peopleand I wanted to help people with
healthy habits and to livebetter lives, and it was really
(24:28):
fulfilling in that regard.
But, I then learned about, as Iwas looking at, what the next
opportunity was going to be.
I learned that, hey, I could dothe same thing, working with
potentially a differentdemographic of people that might
(24:48):
not be able to afford myservices and have funds go
toward other programs.
I partnered up with the YMCA.
I started working with the Y.
It was my first nonprofit workexperience and really, like I
said, it was the opportunity touse my skill set that I had gone
(25:11):
and obtained a four-year degreeand was now using it and now I
could use that skill set.
That was not only going to helpthe person in front of me but
also was going to help withyouth development opportunities
and it was going to help withhomelessness prevention work
that was being done through theY and it was going to help kids
(25:32):
that couldn't afford swimlessons learn how to swim.
And I thought what a better wayto use your skills than to help
others beyond what I'm able todo by myself, what I'm able to
do by myself.
So, when it came to workingwith nonprofits, I ended up with
the Y for over a decade andserved in different capacities
(25:54):
that took me into moreorganizational, leadership type
of roles and partnering withother nonprofits.
And that's actually how I gotconnected with Cars for
Neighbors was I was working inthe same community as Cars for
Neighbors and we were at thetime I mentioned.
I started with Cars forNeighbors during COVID.
(26:15):
Well, at the time, with the Y,we had transitioned into serving
food for people that were outof jobs and were in need of
assistance, and they weredriving up to the Y for food
distribution.
And the executive director, whoI knew from Cars for Neighbors,
(26:35):
said hey, while these people aredriving up, you mind, if we put
a sign out here that says, ifyou're in need of car repair or
you know somebody in need, reachout, cars for Neighbors can
help.
And I said, said this is ano-brainer and I learned more
about the organization and, yeah, it helped keep me connected to
the non-profit world, evenafter, professionally, I'm not
(26:57):
any longer with the y, but Istill find those connections to
uh, stay connected to in in theeasiest way to say it is.
I continue to try to find waysto use my skill set to impact
others in a much bigger way thanI could do by myself.
(27:18):
So I can't turn a wrench, butpeople that Cars for Neighbors
work with they can, and I knowwhat the need is like and,
because I can't turn a wrench, Iknow what it's like also to
have the lights come on.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
You can put yourself in the client's position.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
And I could use some assistance in the next step.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Yeah, and we were talking before the show and you
were talking about your time atthe Y, I had no idea that the Y
was involved.
I mean, yes, as a child I tookswimming lessons at the Y, I
think I don't know why.
Well, I mean I know why,obviously, but they didn't stick
(28:05):
by the way, I can't swim tothis day, but that's neither
here nor there.
But dude, the homelessnessthing, I had no idea you guys
were that the Y was involved inthat.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
They do a lot of non-profit stuff.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Yep, yep.
So they have a whole unit thatis the youth intervention team
and they serve.
At the time it was primarilyout of an office in northeast
Minneapolis and they would dostreet outreach services.
They would work on job trainingskills and get kids connected
(28:43):
to.
How do you, how do you set up apath to success and a lot of
times working in collaborationwith social services and county
resources, to be able to say howcan the why help step in and
fill in a gap.
So again, passionate people,right, how can I use my skill
set in a way that may not be thewhole wraparound services that
(29:08):
somebody needs to create aself-sustaining life, but you
can play just a role in it.
There are a lot of people alongthe way that are also in that
same mindset, and if we can allbe working in that same
direction, the world's going tobe a better place.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
Absolutely, absolutely.
I absolutely love this.
I love I'm losing my earphone,whatever I, just because and the
need for something like this, Ithink, is far greater than
(29:47):
anybody really even knows.
And I love that you guys areout there doing it and that
you're able to provide theseservices.
And if I had a hat, it would beoff to you guys for that and
you touched on it briefly, butcongratulations.
You guys are celebrating 25years this year, right?
Speaker 2 (30:08):
Yeah, yep, 25 years this fall.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
Are you having a big gala?
Speaker 2 (30:13):
We are having our signature Carcino Night event.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
Okay, just a little bigger, a little better, because
of 25 years.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Just a little bigger and better because of 25 years,
but uh, it's still the samecause.
It's always been, and we'rehoping to have more people rally
around it this year that'sfantastic.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Um, I will have your, your website url.
Your link can't come up withwords In the show notes for
anybody.
If you want to donate, thiswould be a fantastic cause to
donate to.
I know we're all stretched thinthese days.
(30:56):
So if you live in the Ham Lakearea of Minnesota and you're
handy with cars and you don'thave any money to donate, but
you have time, and you're handywith cars and you don't have any
money to donate, but you havetime, certainly reach out to
Steve and the folks over at Carsfor Neighbors.
(31:16):
Do we say the business you'repartnering with, do we shout
them?
Speaker 2 (31:21):
out.
Oh yeah, yeah, we servicethrough Meineke Car Care in Ham
Lake and they've beenexceptional partners for us.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
Family-run business right.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Family-run business.
Yeah, Yep, they've been greatto work with and they have a
heart toward our mission andthat's the reason they partner
with us.
And, like I said, if it wasn'tfor their partnership, we would
not be able to stretch thedollars nearly as far as we're
able to, because labor is a bigexpense when it comes to car
(31:53):
care.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
Oh my gosh.
Yes, yes, for sure.
Yeah, and I know them.
As I mentioned, my wife and Ihave a cleaning business and we
have always taken our vehiclesthere for service and they are
super fantastic and superamazing.
They're fair, you know, and ifyou don't need this, Did I tell
(32:18):
you that story?
I took my car to someplace thatwas making a noise.
The guy looked at me and wentoh, you need this and this and
this and this and this and thisand this, and it's like $1,500,
right worth of stuff that Ineeded.
I'm like it's not going to beany time.
I don't know why I went to thatplace, but I took it to Meineke
and they're like you don't needany of that.
I think the biggest one was awater pump, Like your water
(32:40):
pump's gone out, and I went andtook it to Meine at a Meineke,
and they're like it's not.
And that made me a customer forlife, right.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
Yeah, and that's a big part of it is knowing that
who you're working with isethical and is going to shoot
straight with these are actualneeds, right, and so they
prioritize them for us and tellus these are the actual needs,
these are the niceties furtherdown the list and we focus on
the needs in particular.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
Um, and it's been a great partnership for us well,
I'm probably going to tag themwhen I promo this show then yep,
yep, that works uh, steve,thank you so much for taking the
time today.
I really appreciate you and Iappreciate your organization.
Uh, you guys are doing suchfantastic and needed work and
(33:29):
keep on doing what you're doing,man.
Speaker 2 (33:31):
You as well, Mike.
Appreciate you having me on.
Speaker 1 (33:34):
Thanks, I appreciate it.
We will talk again soon.
All right, sounds great.
I want to thank you for takingthis time to listen to this
episode with my guest, steveLandau from Cars for Neighbors.
I hope that you're able to takesomething positive from the time
(33:55):
that you spent with us today.
Maybe you'll be inspired, maybeyou'll be motivated, maybe
you'll be moved.
Maybe you'll start a car repairnonprofit.
Maybe you'll start a car repairnonprofit, whatever it is.
If you've got any of thosepositive feelings, please share
that with your family andfriends.
Let them know there's a podcastout there that gives you
(34:19):
goosebumps from time to time.
I am always striving to offeryou a better podcast, so give me
some feedback.
Will you Let me know how youthink I'm doing?
Email me, leave me a message.
It would mean the world.
Also.
Feel free to follow us on oursocial media pages like Facebook
(34:40):
, instagram, linkedin and TikTok.
This podcast is part of theMayday Media Network.
If you have an idea for apodcast and need some production
assistance, or you already havea podcast and you're looking
for a supportive network to join, check out
maydaymedianetworkcom.
And also make sure to check outthe many different shows, like
(35:03):
Afrocentric Spoil, my MovieGeneration Mixtape In a Pickle
Radio Show Wake Up and Dreamwith D'Anthony Palin, staxo, pax
and the Time Pals.
We'll be back again next weekwith a new episode and we would
be honored if you would join us.
(35:24):
You've been listening to theKindness Matters Podcast.
I'm your host, mike Rathbun.
Have a fantastic week.
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