Outside a firehouse in south Minneapolis stands a vending machine that can save a life at the push of a button.

Lifesaving medicine that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose is now available, for free, from the city’s first Narcan vending machine.

“We want everyone to be equipped with the tools to save lives,” said Minneapolis Health Department Commissioner Damōn Chaplin, noting that the opioid crisis hits close to home for many families — including his own. “It’s as simple as pushing a button and getting a box out of the machine. There is no judgement and no stigma. We want people to be able to get a box when needed and in cases of emergency.”

The neighborhoods around Fire Station 21 suffer more opioid overdoses than anywhere else in the city. Seventy-four suspected overdoses so far this year. Four deaths.

Just off the intersection of Minnehaha Ave. and E. 38th Street, the fire station’s new vending machine offers a lifeline. A push of a button will dispense a box containing two doses of naloxone, the active ingredient in Narcan. When someone is overdosing on a drug like fentanyl, a quick spray of naloxone up the nostril can keep them breathing until the ambulance arrives.

The vending machine is accessible 24 hours a day, no questions asked. It’s there for anyone who needs it, or knows someone who might.

Christopher Burks, program director for the Twin Cities Recovery Project, stood beside the machine as it was unveiled Wednesday, fighting back tears. He is living proof of the good naloxone can do. For 30 years, he battled substance use disorder, from crack to meth to opioids, until he entered long-term recovery four years ago. Narcan was one reason he lived long enough to see that day.

“You need to know that naloxone saves lives,” Burks said. “I wouldn’t be standing here if it didn’t.”

He shared the painful memory of a day in 2016, when he and a friend were using and he overdosed — just minutes after he showed that friend the packet of Narcan someone had given him.

“I was joking, ‘Shove that up my nose real far and hit that button if I fall out.’ And we laughed and we joked,” Burks said, choking up. “Ten minutes later, I was in the front yard, dead … Anyone can administer this Narcan. Anyone can save someone’s life.”

Just having a Narcan free and accessible to the community, Burks said, is a sign that Minneapolis cares whether somebody’s mother, somebody’s child, somebody’s best friend, lives to see a better day.

“There’s almost nobody who doesn’t know someone who has been dramatically impacted by opioids,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who tested out the vending machine, dispensing the first box as it went into service on Wednesday, just before the holiday. “It could be a sister, a brother, a father or a friend, but opioids — specifically fentanyl — are having a drastic impact on our cities throughout the country, and Minneapolis is not an exception.”

Minneapolis is home to 7% of Minnesota’s population, but 20% of its opioid-related deaths over the past five years, Frey said. Thirty-eight of those deaths happened in the neighborhoods around Fire Station 21.

The vending machine is stocked with more than 100 boxes of Narcan that will be refilled as needed. There are precautions in place to prevent someone from trying to empty the entire vending machine in one visit, possibly hoping to resell the medicine themselves. (Narcan retails for as much as $50 a box at the pharmacy.) If it proves helpful, the city health department will consider installing similar vending machines in other neighborhoods.

Fire Station 21 is located at 3209 E 38th St. in Minneapolis, just off Hiawatha Ave. Look out for each other this holiday week.

Taste of Minnesota returns to downtown Minneapolis’ Nicollet Mall this weekend, featuring 30 bands, dozens of food vendors and a family-friendly zip line down Washington Avenue S.

The free event runs 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The expanded space will be organized into five different neighborhoods based on the experiences and food provided in each.

Country music star Martina McBride, The Wallflowers and Gear Daddies — a rock band from Austin, Minn. — are all booked to play on the main stage on Saturday. Headlining the main stage on Sunday are Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, along with Minneapolis-raised Morris Day and the Time.

“Everyone is going to be dancing at 2 p.m. on a Saturday,” said O’Reilly, who explained there was an emphasis on Minnesota musicians this year. “It’s gonna be awesome.”

Here’s everything else you need to know headed into this year’s Taste of Minnesota:

What you can and can’t bring

Small bags, empty water bottles, strollers, wheelchairs, umbrellas and service animals are all fair game. Taste of Minnesota recommends leaving your dog at home if they are not a service animal.

Water bottle filling stations will be placed throughout the event.

Not allowed inside the event are large bags such as backpacks, outside food or drink, lawn chairs, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades or flags. Fireworks and objects that could be used as weapons are not permitted.

Entrances

There are four entrances to the event. The Washington and Hennepin avenue entrance will land you in the Magic Midway neighborhood and closest to the zip line and the family fun area — which includes a puppy party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

The 5th Street and Nicollet Mall entrance will get you near the Xcel Energy stage.

Two entrances on 4th Street and Nicollet Mall will get you near the main stage.

Transportation and parking

Metro Transit will provide free passes for the bus and the light rail systems on both days of the event, available for download online.

Southwest Transit is also adding service to Taste of Minnesota this year. You can find the schedule here.

If you decide to drive, your best bet might be to park near Target Field or Target Center and take the free light rail just two stops down to Nicollet Mall, which will put you at the 5th Street and Nicollet Mall entrance.

Other parking options can be found on the City of Minneapolis parking website.

How to get in

No tickets are required to attend the event or enjoy any of the concerts. If you leave in the middle of the day, you can re-enter as you please.

ST. CLOUD — Authorities identified a man who was found dead at the scene of a small grass fire near Tech High School earlier this week as 26-year-old Mohamed M. Mohamud of St. Cloud.

Police and fire crews were called to the scene on the south side of the city just after 11 a.m. Monday. Authorities originally called the death suspicious, but on Wednesday said Mohamud died as a result of the fire and that no foul play occurred in the incident, according to St. Cloud Police Cmdr. Lori Ellering.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted in the investigation.