Welcome to Open Arms Mission

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Open Arms is a non-profit serving local families.  Now in our 25th year, we continue partnership with local businesses, churches, community organizations, schools, Lake County agencies and the Northern Illinois Food Bank.  Through these partnerships, we provide support with weekly food, financial assistance and outreach referrals.  Our motto:  "Neighbor helping neighbor" is demonstrated through our community donors, volunteers and partnerships.  As each of us contributes in our own way, we exemplify who we are as a community. 

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Our current numbers continue to slowly increase. Our main source for food purchase, the Northern IL Food Bank, has shared that government support for Fiscal Year 26 (July 25 thru June 26) is cut by 40%. These cuts trickle down to us through unfulfilled grants, so we will have to purchase more of our weekly distribution food thru retail sources. In addition, we do not know how much the SNAP changes will affect our neighbors whom are already struggling due to health issues, loss of job, grandparents raising grandchildren, etc., each of us has our own story. So going forward, if you are able to help us meet our local need, we can use your financial help.  

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We are currently serving 350 households each month.  That's 1134 individuals.  Of these:  30% ages 1-18years old, while 29% are 65 & over.  These households visit us for supplemental food, an average of twice per month.

 

 

When you give, you may be helping...

* the 152 seniors we deliver to each month

• a sole support father who has suffered a debilitating stroke – he is supporting/raising a family of 5 – currently waiting 18 months to receive Social Security Disability – his wife has gone back to work, but cannot match his salary…

• a 2-income family of 6, mom is fighting multiple cancers and cannot work – now on 1 income the family struggles to make financial commitments…

• a single Grandparent on a fixed income now raising 3 Grandchildren after her child died and the remaining parent is not around…

• a parent struggling with emotional issues and unable to work full time, spouse working part time – 2 part time incomes just not enough to support a family of 4…

• Seniors struggling with medical expenses, utilities, auto expenses and high grocery costs – unlike the rest of the workforce, seniors are not always able to supplement their fixed income…

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HOW YOU CAN HELP?

• look over our programs – just click HERE

• call Marytherese or Judy at (847) 395-0309

• email Marytherese or Judy at info@openarmsmission.org

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