Open Arms Honored with the Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Award
St. Paul (Feb. 17, 2025) – Last week we were deeply honored to receive the Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Award from the Minnesota Department of Human Services at a special ceremony held at our St. Paul Kitchen and Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 12. This prestigious award recognizes organizations making a meaningful impact in the lives of Minnesotans, and we couldn’t be prouder to be among this year’s recipients.
For nearly 40 years, Open Arms has been dedicated to providing nourishing, medically tailored meals to Minnesotans facing critical illness—because we believe that food is medicine, and there’s always room for one more at our table. This award is a testament to the dedication of our incredible volunteers, staff, donors, and partners who make our mission possible every day.
A heartfelt thank you to Deputy Commissioner Nikki Farago, HealthPartners Specialty Center Lead Medical Social Worker Courtney Schroeder, Hennepin County Ryan White Part A Lead HIV Services Planner Carissa Weisdorf, and Rep. Maria Isa Perez-Vega for attending and speaking on our behalf. Special gratitude to HIV Supports Director Darin Rowles and his team for nominating us for this honor, and to the Minnesota Department of Human Services for this incredible recognition.
This award belongs to the entire Open Arms community—the countless individuals who support our mission to nourish hope and build a stronger, healthier Minnesota. You can learn more about the Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Award HERE.
