Open Arms of Minnesota

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Youth Volunteering

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Open Arms. From preparing medically tailored meals in our state-of-the-art kitchen to delivering our nourishing food to our critically ill clients, every aspect of our operations is made possible because of the incredible dedication of our volunteers.

We are especially excited to welcome our youngest volunteers to Open Arms! Join us in making a profound difference for our neighbors living with life-threatening illnesses. Find more information below or get in touch with us about youth volunteering by email or by calling 612-872-1152.

Age Requirements

All volunteer opportunities at Open Arms are open to youth volunteers, with conditions and special circumstances detailed below. Whether you’re in the kitchen, on delivery, or at the farms, we will work with you to find the perfect fit for your skills, interests, and availability. Please note:

  • Children under 16 must be accompanied at all times by an adult who has attended volunteer training.
  • All volunteers under 18 must have waivers signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to volunteer experience.
  • Some volunteer activities, such as equipment use, are available to children based on age.

See youth opportunities below, broken down by age group.

Ages 16+

  • May volunteer in the kitchen and at Open Farms without an accompanying adult.
  • May deliver with an adult driver. (Must be 18 to deliver alone.)
Open Arms youth volunteers

Ages 12–15

  • May volunteer in the kitchen and at Open Farms accompanied by an adult, with a ratio of no more than 3 youth to 1 adult.
  • May deliver with an adult driver.
Open Arms volunteers

Ages 8–11

  • May volunteer in the kitchen and at Open Farms accompanied by an adult, with a ratio of no more than 2 youth to 1 adult.
  • May deliver with an adult driver.
Open Arms youth volunteers

Ages 6–7

  • May volunteer at Open Farms accompanied by an adult, with a ratio of no more than 1 child to 1 adult.
  • May deliver with an adult driver.
  • There are no regular scheduled kitchen opportunities for this age group, but we plan special activities for children throughout the year.

How to Get Started

New to Open Arms?

All new volunteers (including kids with a supervising adult) must attend an orientation, so bring the family! Sign up for an orientation.

Already a Volunteer?

Current, active adult volunteers interested in sharing the Open Arms volunteer experience with a child or teenager can email our volunteer team to get started.

Questions?

Get in touch with us about youth volunteering at Open Arms. Email [email protected] or call 612-872-1152.

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Open Arms of Minnesota Earns Accreditation from Food Is Medicine Coalition

Open Arms of Minnesota, the Twin Cities-based non-profit dedicated to providing nourishing, medically tailored meals to individuals with critical illnesses, has earned accreditation from the Food Is Medicine Coalition (FIMC). This recognition places Open Arms among an elite group of organizations nationwide that have demonstrated a high standard of care in delivering medically tailored meals (MTM).

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Your Gift Will Help Us Serve More Clients!

Together we can continue to meet the increased demand for medically tailored meals with your support! We hope you think of us as you consider your year-end giving. Your donation is a gift of care, compassion, and encouragement!

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