OPEN YOUR HEART TO THE HUNGRY AND HOMELESS

Food, Shelter, Safety: A Foundation for Wellbeing

At Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless, we believe that food, shelter, and safety are essential to human dignity and wellbeing. Guided by the principle of directing support where it is needed most, our mission focuses on those at the forefront of the crisis—individuals and families on the streets or in shelters.

Every day, countless Minnesotans rely on shelters and food shelves for survival. These organizations are often the first critical step out of precarious situations. Open Your Heart strengthens their impact by enhancing facilities and ensuring they provide safe, dignified environments. From homeless shelters and supportive living centers to outreach services, feeding programs, and food shelves, our work touches lives across Minnesota.

Building a Path to Stability

We prioritize tangible needs and facility improvements to create a foundation of safety for families, youth, and adults experiencing food and housing insecurity. With this stability in place, our partner agencies can focus on guiding individuals through the next steps toward a brighter future.

Our commitment extends to children and youth experiencing homelessness, ensuring they have the resources and necessities to fully participate in school and lead enriched lives.

Proactive Solutions and Emergency Support

Hunger and homelessness are ever-changing challenges. Open Your Heart monitors emerging trends and proactively addresses barriers through special projects and rapid emergency support—often mobilizing within days when crises arise at partner facilities.

Deep Community Connections

With strong relationships across Minnesota’s network of hunger and homeless service providers, we have our finger on the pulse of local needs. By researching community trends and incorporating geographic and demographic insights, we ensure our support reaches diverse populations across the state.

More Than Funding

Beyond financial aid, Open Your Heart connects organizations with additional funding, resources, and networking opportunities. We actively share volunteer opportunities, in-kind needs, and grantee success stories to inspire community involvement. Our partners consistently commend our responsiveness, accessibility, and holistic approach to support.

History

Founded in 1986, Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless was born out of a statewide food and fundraising drive organized by Minnesota’s Department of Jobs and Training (now the Department of Employment and Economic Development). What began as an initiative to support food shelves evolved into a year-round effort to raise funds through workplace giving campaigns, with strong support from state employees and leaders.

In its first year, Open Your Heart raised $30,000 and awarded its first grants, launching a legacy of supporting programs that address hunger and homelessness. By expanding campaigns to include public employees statewide, the organization grew significantly, now raising over $400,000 annually to fund critical services.

What started as a volunteer-led initiative has since developed into a dedicated nonprofit, with a professional team working to create impactful change across Minnesota. Open Your Heart continues its mission to support communities in need through innovative and effective solutions.

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