November 2009

Greetings ! 

November is National Homelessness Awareness Month. It also is the time of year that, as winter approaches, I often reflect on all the things in life I am grateful for -- my health, home, family and friends. This November I also want to share some exciting news with you.

You may have already heard about GiveMN.org.*

This is an innovative new online resource that provides Minnesotans with a new way to give and help create a stronger nonprofit community for Minnesota.  

A group of Minnesota funders came together to create GiveMN to offer people a one-stop shop to explore and support their favorite causes through online giving. GiveMN.org has partnered with Razoo.com, the leading consumer giving platform in the country, to create this system to engage donors with nonprofits.

We ask you to consider making a donation to Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless on "Give to the Max Day" on Tuesday, November 17.

On this day your donation through GiveMN.org to Open Your Heart will be matched 50 cents to the dollar. The Saint Paul Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation and Bush Foundation have committed $500,000 in matching contributions to support community needs in Minnesota and to cover transaction fees so that 100% of all donations will go to the nonprofit organizations. This will be done on a "first come / first serve" basis.

Please take a moment on November 17 to go to the GiveMN web page for Open Your Heart To The Hungry And Homeless  and donate there!

Your contribution of any amount made on this match day will greatly help us provide for the needs of hungry and homeless people throughout Minnesota. Remember, your donations made on November 17 will be matched!

Minnesotans have a long tradition of giving and civic innovation and engagement. We appreciate all our Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless donors. Through their generosity we are reaching close to 10,000 homeless students in K-12 this school year so that these students can have the essentials that they need to stay involved in school. Our donors also make it possible for 100,000 pounds of nutritious food to be distributed throughout Minnesota to help families in great need.

Please "Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless" on November 17 by making a gift through GiveMN.

Arna Yetter
Executive Director                                                    

*GiveMN is an independent 501(c) (3) organization that is a supporting organization of the Minnesota Community Foundation. For more information, go to www.GiveMN.org.

Agency Spotlight:
Our Saviour's Housing
Minneapolis, Minnesota


Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless is proud to announce a donation of $9,960 to Our Saviour's Housing, to be used for the purchase of mattresses, bunk beds, sofas, chairs, laundry soap dispenser, mugs, tumblers, silverware and storage for the organization's emergency shelter and transitional housing.

Our Saviour's Housing is a program of Our Saviour's Outreach Ministries, in southwest Minneapolis, which began in 1982 when Our Saviour's Lutheran Church opened its basement to people seeking shelter from the winter weather. Our Saviour's programs currently serve more than 750 people each year. Services include overnight shelter for 40 men and women, with up to 90 days of support; weekly access to medical and mental-health care; two meals daily, laundry facilities, computer lab, telephone access and secure storage; transitional housing with up to two years of support services; and assistance from case managers.

For more information, visit the Our Saviour's Outreach Ministries.

Agency Spotlight:
Lakes Area Food Shelf, Inc.
Nisswa, Minnesota
 
           

Open Your Heart has donated $2,109 to the Lakes Area Food Shelf in Nisswa, Minnesota. Lakes Area will use the funds to purchase two new freezers and carpet for the food shelf.

Lakes Area Food Shelf is a non-profit serving those in need in Northern Minnesota, specifically in Breezy Point, Ideal Township, Jenkins, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, and rural Merrifield. The food shelf, which is open Tuesday and Thursday mornings, serves all area residents that have a permanent address in these towns and meet federal income guidelines.

For more information visit Lakes Area Food Shelf, Inc.