Acacia Global to establish Open Arms Legacy Fund

Open Arms to Disband International Program

Acacia Global to Establish Open Arms Legacy Fund

Open Arms has been undergoing many changes in recent years and has enjoyed some incredible successes of late. Our 4 millionth meal was delivered to clients in 2015, and more Twin Cities clients than ever are benefiting from Open Arms’ services — over 900 per week! Both the recent Thanksgiving Turkey Drive and the Cook-a-Thon in September raised well over their budgeted amounts, thanks to the generosity of supporters. Many wonderful things have helped Open Arms build momentum, though there is much more to be done to secure a new and solid foundation for the future.

The Open Arms board and staff have been engaged for months in planning and visioning for that future and have concluded that the focus of the leadership team’s efforts has been, and must remain, the core program in the greater Twin Cities community. To accomplish that critical goal, Open Arms’ International Program will be disbanded at the end of the 2015 calendar year. In an effort to carry forward Open Arms’ international efforts, Acacia Global, a non-profit whose leaders include Kevin Winge, former Open Arms executive director, and Jane Letourneau, former head of the international program, has graciously agreed to accept a transfer of OAMI’s funds and create an Open Arms International Legacy Fund to carry on the work funding nutrition and health needs in South Africa.

“We are so pleased that the legacy of the international work Open Arms began 15 years ago will live on through Acacia Global and our friends there, some of whom began this work during their time at Open Arms,” said Executive Director Leah Hebert Welles.

Acacia Global is hosting its second annual Holiday Soiree and Sale, featuring new and unique art from South Africa, on December 5 from noon to 6 p.m. Friends of Open Arms can designate proceeds from their purchases for the Open Arms International Legacy Fund. To RSVP and get directions to the sale, email Jane at janielet@gmail.com or call Kevin at 320-269-1046.

Please contact Open Arms Executive Director Leah Hebert Welles at 612-767-7344 or leah@openarmsmn.org with any questions.