1981 The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report the first cases of a rare pneumonia and a skin cancer among gay men.

1982 The term acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is adopted by the CDC.

1984 Scientists isolate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. Ryan White, a 13-year-old Indiana boy, is diagnosed with AIDS. The following year he is barred from school for fear the disease will spread.

1985 Actor Rock Hudson dies of AIDS.

1986 In what he thought would be a single act of kindness, University of Minnesota anthropology professor Bill Rowe prepares dinner in the kitchen of his apartment and delivers it to five men with AIDS who have become too ill to prepare meals for themselves. Open Arms is born when a growing pool of dedicated volunteers begins to deliver meals to these men on a regular basis.

1990 Ryan White dies.

1991 Magic Johnson announces he is HIV-positive and retires from basketball. The red ribbon is introduced as the international AIDS symbol. More than 250,000 Americans have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

1994 Pedro Zamora, a gay man living with HIV, appears on MTV’s “The Real World.” AIDS is now the leading cause of death in the U.S. for 25- to 44-year-olds. Operating from the basement of the First Congregational Church in Minneapolis, Open Arms prepares and delivers meals to 45 people living with HIV/AIDS in the Twin Cities.

1997 U.S. AIDS-related deaths decline by more than 40% from 1996, largely due to the AIDS “cocktail”—a therapy of three HIV drugs. Open Arms hires its first paid staff members and purchases, renovates, and moves into the former Common Bread Restaurant in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. Open Arms now serves between 82-100 clients every day.

2000 The U.S. and the United Nations declare HIV/AIDS a security threat. Board and staff members of Open Arms attend the 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa and begin exploring a partnership with the Zwane Comunity Centre in Guguletu, South Africa to provide meals for people with HIV/AIDS living in the townships.

2001 More than 700,000 people in the US are HIV-positive, and 450,000 have died since 1981.

2003 President George W. Bush initiates a $15 billion plan to address HIV/AIDS globally. The World Health Organization launches an initiative to treat three million people by 2005. Open Arms hosts Siyaya, a South African performing group that uses music and dance for AIDS education and outreach, on their first U.S. tour.

2004 With support from its HIV/AIDS clients, Open Arms broadens its mission to become one of the first nutrition agencies in the U.S. to add women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and people with MS (multiple sclerosis) and Lou Gehrig's disease to its meal service.

2005 Nelson Mandela's son dies of AIDS. Recognizing that people with HIV/AIDS are 300 times more likely to contract water and food borne illnesses, Open Arms launches a food safety initiative that is replicated around the country.

2007 Open Arms announces an $8.1 million capital campaign to build a new facility to expand service to more people who are sick and need nutritious meals in order to lead independent and dignifed lives for as long as possible.

Timeline information from Newsweek, The Associated Press and Open Arms' archives.