Open Arms

Volunteering is an important part of my Minneapolis experience. But I've been remiss in detailing some of the volunteer opportunities I've taken advantage of, which I'll try to remedy going forward. The Twin Cities is, by far, the most dedicated volunteer community I've ever lived in, and that is but one of the many reasons I love calling this place home. 

Today members of my chapter of the Cargill Women's Network volunteered for a couple of hours at Open Arms of Minnesota. Our chapter has also been involved in the Cargill Giving Garden, which supplements Open Arms' own farming with additional produce each summer. This was the first time, however, that we'd volunteered at the kitchen on Bloomington Ave, and as you can see from the pictured smiles, we had a wonderful time. 

Suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of a life-altering disease is exhausting both physically and financially. Individuals struggling with MS, cancer, HIV, and other debilitating conditions often do not have the resources, energy, or support to shop for or cook the nutritious meals their weakened bodies need to fight their respective conditions. This is where Open Arms meets a very specific, visceral need. Open Arms serves nutritious, diet-specific meals to 800+ clients (and often their dependents and caregivers) a week. These aren't one-size-fits-all meals.  The recipes are created with the help of chefs and dietitians, focusing specifically on treatment side effects and the needs of immune-suppressed individuals.  Additional care is paid to the comfort aspect of meals, with special care paid to cultural differences. Volunteers help out at several points in the story, lending a hand at the farm in St. Paul, prepping ingredients in the kitchen, and delivering the meals to clients.

Our group of 18 split between several stations in the kitchen, some of us slicing homemade bread, others preparing fresh green beans, some shredding newly roasted chickens.  These weren't ingredients plopped out of a can.  These were ingredients you'd use to feed a sick friend.  This is food you'd take care to prepare, and that's one reason Open Arms is so special.  It's clear the meals are an act of love and support for individuals who may frequently feel maligned and alone. 

Whether you're an individual interested in delivering meals, a gardening enthusiast with skills to lend, or you're planning a group volunteer event, Open Arms offers fantastic opportunities to serve those struggling in our own backyard.