Open Arms of Minnesota

08/07/2026

Every Friday, a Memory. Every Year, an Impact. 40 Years of Open Arms.

On August 4, 2002, Open Arms of Minnesota received $30,000 in donations through the Minnesota AIDS Trek.

Not to be confused with the Twin Cities–Chicago AIDS Ride or the Red Ribbon Ride (there were a lot of charity bike rides back then!), the Minnesota AIDS Trek was a 150-mile round-trip ride between St. Paul and Hinckley.

Nearly 100 cyclists and 60 volunteers came together for the inaugural ride benefiting Open Arms, making the event a tremendous success through an all-hands-on-deck team effort.

From what we've uncovered through our research, conversations with participants, and photos from the day, the weather was... less than ideal. If you were part of that memorable 2002 ride, major props and thank you! We'd love to hear your memories in the comments.

08/06/2026

Harvested with care at Open Farms, grown with love for our community. Every harvest nourishes bodies and souls! 🌿🧺 Test your veggie knowledge: Name all the veggies in these photos!

08/05/2026

🍓 Huge thank you to Post Consumer Brands!

They recently donated a large amount of freeze-dried strawberries to Open Arms, and our chefs have been putting them to delicious use!

You’ll find them in our medically tailored meals, snacks, and baked goods, including trail mix, strawberry muffins, strawberry cookies, and more.

We’re so grateful for this generous support. Thanks, Post! ❤️

08/04/2026

🍪 Happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! 🍪

We are quite proud of our chocolate chip cookies. Each one is made with care by our dedicated bakers and volunteers. Whether they’re included with a client's meal delivery, enjoyed amongst volunteers, or offered to guests visiting our campuses, we hope every cookie brings a moment of joy and connection.

It’s just one small (but delicious) way we show love at Open Arms.

08/03/2026

🌽 Meal of the Week: Summer Corn Chowder!

Soup in summer? When it’s this good… absolutely.

This southwestern-style chowder is creamy, comforting, and loaded with sweet corn, potatoes, black beans, onion, red and green bell peppers, plus warm spices like cumin and coriander. Served with a side of warm cornbread, it’s the perfect balance of cozy and fresh for these warm Minnesota days.

07/31/2026

July is National Culinary Arts Month, and we’re celebrating the talented, amazing chefs who make Open Arms possible every single day. 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳
From creating nourishing, medically tailored meals to bringing care and creativity into every dish, our kitchen team turns fresh ingredients (many grown on our own Open Farms) into hope on a plate! Thank you for the skill, heart, and passion you bring to our kitchens.

07/31/2026

Every Friday, a Memory. Every Year, an Impact. 40 Years of Open Arms.

Today, we’re looking back at one of Open Arms’ most beloved and unique programs: Summer Meals.

Launched in 2011, the Summer Meals Program was created to ensure children and their families had access to nutritious meals during the summer months, when school was out of session. Fresh off its move to a state-of-the-art new home on Bloomington Avenue, Open Arms looked for new ways to support the surrounding community. Recognizing the need for healthy, reliable meals for local youth and their families, the organization applied to participate in the Minnesota Department of Education’s Summer Food Service Program—and was ultimately accepted.

With support from the Minnesota Department of Education, Open Arms partnered with community organizations including the East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center, Pillsbury House, and Little Earth Residents Association. Over the program’s more than decade-long run, Open Arms served more than 6,000 meals each summer. Meals typically included a sandwich, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a snack kit, all prepared and assembled in the Open Arms kitchen.

The program later expanded with the support of AmeriCorps VISTA members, who helped run and operate Summer Meals through a partnership with Hunger Free America and with the guidance of Open Arms’ Director of Nutrition Services. Open Arms chefs worked alongside the AmeriCorps interns to create nutrition handouts, while registered dietitians held meet-and-greets with the youth they served.

Although the program came to an end following the summer of 2022, we look back with fondness and pride at the lives we touched through the hard work, dedication, and compassion of our incredible community.

07/30/2026

As we begin a new fiscal year, we're reflecting on what's possible when a community comes together with compassion and purpose.
In her latest message, CEO Leah Hébert Welles shares how Open Arms is meeting today's growing challenges, expanding access to medically tailored meals, and building a stronger future for Minnesotans facing life-threatening illness.
Read the full letter via the link below:

Meeting Today’s Challenges, Building Tomorrow’s Hope A message from the CEO as Open Arms begins a new year: Dear Open Arms Community, July 1, 2026, marked the start of a […]

07/28/2026

🥬 Last week’s CSA shares were packed with so many fun and delicious varieties!
Eggplants, fennel, tomatoes, beets, garlic, onions, potatoes, and more — all fresh from our own Open Farms.
These veggies also make their way into the nourishing, medically tailored meals we cook up in our St. Paul and Minneapolis kitchens. We’re so grateful for the abundance grown right here on our farms!