Open Arms of Minnesota

Weekly Recipe #91: Thanksgiving Favorites from the Staff

In honor of the holiday fast approaching, we polled some of the staff about their favorite Thanksgiving food:

Kelly McManus, Creative Director: “Stuffing. And gravy. And turkey. And cranberry sauce. Do I have to pick only one?”

Elizabeth Polter, Client Services Director: “Pecan pie.”

Asei Tendle, Food Services Director: “My mom’s cornbread stuffing.”

Jeff Langaard, Finance & Administration Director: “Thanksgiving is my favorite meal of the year! I could not live without turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn.”

Gwen Hill, Registered Dietitian: “Pumpkin pie!!!”

Tim Reardon, Executive Director: “Stuffing is right up there with the dark meat of the turkey and apple pie…it’s too hard to choose, I like them all!

Max Drewes, Client Services Assistant: “Mashed potatoes.”
Rita Panton, Kitchen Manager/Bread Production: “Cranberries and sweet potatoes.”


Ellen Klahn, Volunteer Services Associate: “My mother’s homemade turkey gravy — it just makes everything that much better. Turkey drippings with flour and milk — what more could you want?”

Nancy Benedict, Events Director: “I love a good juicy slice of turkey!”

Jeanne Foels, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator: “Definitely sweet potatoes…the more butter, the better!”

Melissa Henry, Volunteer Services Assistant: “Cranberry sauce.”

Kienan Mick, Finance Assistant: “Pumpkin spice bars with cream cheese frosting.”

Jennifer Van Wyk, Deputy Director: “Wine.”

Cassie Mead, Kitchen Manager/Catering: “My aunt Mindy’s mashed potatoes and gravy!

Rebecca Tofte, Development Director: “Leftovers. I love making a turkey, dressing and cranberry sandwich on ciabatta the day after Thanksgiving.”

Ben Harrelson, Kitchen Manager/Quality Control: “Dark meat turkey.”

Paul Tatro, Development Associate: “Garlic mashed potatoes!”

Susan Pagani, Communications Director: “Kentucky wonder beans with butter, salt and pepper. And then, of course, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. If I didn’t have turkey, I wouldn’t really miss it.”

Kent Linder, Operations Director: “I would have to say stuffing. It’s the best.”

Bob Jernberg, Janitorial/Kitchen Prep: “Turkey, of course, but also dressing and hot apple pie!”

Pete Fischer, Volunteer Services Coordinator: “Stuffing.”

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HOLIDAY TREATS!

Open Arms of Minnesota is pleased to bring you a wide array of Holiday Treats to satisfy your sweet tooth this season! This year’s Holiday Treats can be purchased through our online shop via the link below. 

Holiday Treats will be available for pick up at the following times and locations: 

  • Tuesday, December 12 | Minneapolis Kitchen & Campus | 4 – 6 p.m. 
  • Thursday, December 14 | St. Paul Kitchen & Campus | 4 – 6 p.m. 
  • Saturday, December 16 | Minneapolis Kitchen & Campus | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.