An Update From Open Arms CEO, Leah Hebert Welles
Dear Open Arms Community,
In February, 2025 we shared the sobering news that critical federal and state funding shortfalls would affect the way we serve some of the most vulnerable members of our community who depend on Open Arms for medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling.
You answered that call with an open heart. You gave your time, your financial support, and your voice. And because of you, we have been able to keep serving our clients living with critical health issues.
Thanks to your generosity, and in response to the increasing need, over the past few months we have:
- Met the needs of 1,700+ clients and caregivers by delivering thousands of nourishing meals each week.
- Restarted services for the 110 elderly clients who were temporarily removed from service due to federal government funding freezes and cuts.
- Onboarded 150 new clients who were waiting to receive the nourishment they need to fight their illnesses.
But the need remains great—and the road ahead is still uncertain. Some of our deepest state and federal funding cuts go into effect this summer and fall. But we continue to work towards a future where every critically ill person receives the nourishment and help they need to live their healthiest life.
Over the next few months, your support will be needed to:
Serve the 216 clients on our growing waitlist of clients who are supported by private individual dollars – including yours.
Help Open Arms provide services in an environment where we have lost almost a million dollars in state funding to ship meals to our clients living in rural and outstate Minnesota.
Provide critical nutrition to vulnerable seniors as state and federal dollars for older Minnesotans are being cut across the board.
Thank you for standing with us during this challenging time and for being an important member of our strong, caring community. Your partnership has kept us going and has lifted up our clients and community as we continue to face challenges. You and the Open Arms family are what makes this essential work possible; you help ensure that our vulnerable, critically ill neighbors receive physical nourishment – and a message of hope and care!
Together, and with full hearts, we can continue this worthy fight!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Leah Hébert Welles
Chief Executive Officer
Open Arms of Minnesota
P.S. Please feel free to email me anytime with questions, and if you would like specifics about state or federal funding cuts, please contact Lisa Lane [email protected]
