Open Arms Mission provides help in a multitude of ways to meet the needs of our neighbors who come to us. As a weekly Food Pantry our volunteers provide a caring, personal touch to all who come through our door. Due to the increasing impact of economic hardships, the numbers of neighbors in need continues to increase on a weekly basis. The holidays though have always been a time when people are most in need. The following programs have been developed to provide for those who would otherwise have to go without:

Community Thanksgiving Dinner – Community volunteers gather to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner for those who might be alone or do not have the means for a hot meal. Last year we provided over 100 fresh cooked traditional meals. This year, we expect the need to be much greater.

Holiday Meal Boxes - A special food box is distributed before Thanksgiving and Christmas that contains over 75 pounds of food including the makings of a traditional holiday meal. In 2007 we provided 800 Holiday Meal Boxes.

Adopt-A Family – This program is a means of providing less fortunate families with a holiday filled with the same joys and happiness others are able to experience. We meet with each and every family and help assess their greatest needs. They then provide a "needs wish list" which includes such necessities as winter coats and gloves, shoes and boots, pajamas and other clothing items, and include a fun toy or educational gift. Individuals, families and organizations "adopt" a family size of their choosing, doing the shopping and wrapping the gifts. In 2007 we distributed holiday gifts to 320 families who might not otherwise be able to afford practical items needed by their children. Through this program we are providing the greatest gift of the holiday season.

Easter Baskets – We provide baskets with a sweet/nutritional snack and small gifts to people young and old who otherwise would receive nothing for Easter. With the assistance of our many volunteers, we assembled and distributed 3,000 Easter Baskets in 2008 filled with candy and toys for our clients, hospitals and numerous other local Social Service Agencies.

Please consider helping our local community with your time, talent and treasure through our Food Panty and Special Programs.