February 2010

Greetings!

Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless helping Minnesotans!

I think we are all hungry for good news in these uncertain economic times. We all know people who have lost their job or are struggling to keep their home. In these challenging times I am happy to report that people have responded to our cause of helping hungry and homeless Minnesotans.

Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless has raised $925,000 though workplace giving campaign pledges and other contributions. Thank you to all our generous donors who have responded yet again by opening their hearts to the hungry and homeless. The board of directors, staff and volunteers at Open Your Heart are committed to being good stewards and remain dedicated to our vision that "All Minnesotans are free of hunger and homelessness."

We want to give special recognition to Tapemark Company and CH Robinson for their very generous corporate contribution again this year. We also salute the following workplace giving campaigns, where employees increased their giving by more than 20%--Washington County, City of Apple Valley, City of Bloomington, City of Fridley, Minneapolis Schools, St. Paul Schools, Metropolitan Council, Minnesota Council for Nonprofits, Community Health Charities, Minnesota Public Radio, and Mackall, Crounse & Moore PLC. These are amazing results!

We welcome our new campaign partners, who offered their employees a direct choice in supporting the work of Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless this year. They are Achieve Minneapolis, United Arts Fund, Walker Art Center, Kennedy & Graven Chartered, and McGrann, Shea, Carnival, Straughn & Lamb Chartered.

In these days when the need for food and housing assistance can seem overwhelming, Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless will continue giving hope to people who need it most.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, instead of buying gifts of candy or flowers for your loved ones, consider making a gift to Open Your Heart. This is truly a caring way to show your gratitude for the things in life that we all take for granted. You can make your gift online at www.oyh.org/support-us/donate-now.

Thank you again for your outstanding support!

Arna Yetter
Executive Director

"People never forget that helping hand, especially when times are tough." Catherine Pulsifer

Agency Spotlight:
Range Transitional Housing, Inc., Virginia, MN

Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless has given $25,000 to Range Transitional Housing, Inc. The gap funding will help provide motel vouchers, case manager salaries and benefits, furniture, program staff salaries and benefits, administrative expenses and staff supervisor salaries and benefits.

Range Transitional Housing, Inc. provides transitional and permanent supportive housing to homeless households in northern St. Louis County. RTH currently operates four housing projects, including Chronic Permanent Housing, Hibbing Transitional Housing, Permanent Housing, and Virginia Transitional Housing. The organization also provides other vital services to low-income individuals and families who do not need or are not eligible for housing services. These services include referral assistance, outreach, motel vouchers, furniture assistance, or other case management services.

For more information, visit Range Transitional Housing.