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February 14, 2013

Photos: A morning with Mary Jo Copeland

Photos by Jeffrey Thompson
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It's not uncommon for Mary Jo Copeland to be greeted with bear hugs or hand clapping as she enters a room at Sharing and Caring Hands, the Minneapolis-based nonprofit that provides those in need with everything from food to shelter. The tireless mother of 12 has been touching the lives of the impoverished since she started Sharing and Caring Hands in 1985. Copeland is being recognized Friday by President Barack Obama for the work she has done in the Twin Cities community. Copeland will be awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor, for her charitable efforts. We spent a morning with her recently at Sharing and Caring Hands.

Mary Jo Copeland

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Mary Jo Copeland greets Tqra Muse, 3, at Mary's Place, Sharing and Caring Hands' apartment complex, in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Saying goodbye

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Mary Jo Copeland talks with Willard Garrett as he and his family leave Mary's Place, Sharing and Caring Hands' apartment complex, in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Giving hugs

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Mary Jo Copeland hugs twin three-year-old sisters Tqra and Akrama Muse at Mary's Place, Sharing and Caring Hands' apartment complex, in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Greeted with hand clapping

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Mary Jo Copeland is greeted with hand clapping by residents at Mary's Place, Sharing and Caring Hands' apartment complex, in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Morning meeting

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Mary Jo Copeland talks with staff members Nalee Lor and Chris Moore during a morning meeting at Mary's Place, Sharing and Caring Hands' apartment complex, in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Mary Jo Copeland

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Mary Jo Copeland leaves Mary's Place, Sharing and Caring Hands' apartment complex, after a morning visit in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Mary Jo Copeland's office

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Dream catchers and awards are displayed on the walls of Mary Jo Copeland's office at Sharing and Caring Hands in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Prayer before breakfast

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Mary Jo Copeland, center, says a prayer with kitchen volunteers before serving a morning meal at Sharing and Caring Hands in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Walking the stairs

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Mary Jo Copeland walks through Sharing and Caring Hands in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Greeting visitors

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Mary Jo Copeland greets visitors in need of food and services at Sharing and Caring Hands in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Items given to those in need

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Rosaries and stuffed animals are given to visitors in need at Sharing and Caring Hands in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Mary Jo and Dick Copeland

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA — Mary Jo Copeland and her husband Dick Copeland talk with staff members at Sharing and Caring Hands in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. Mary Jo and Dick Copeland have been married for 51 years and have 12 children. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

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