Freely we receive, Freely we give
Celebrating 15 Years in 2024
OUR MISSION: To serve the St. Paul Midway and surrounding area by leveraging contributors' gifts in providing a means for those who are economically challenged to obtain nutritious meals, groceries and personal supplies, along with access to an array of community resources.
History Of Open Hands Midway
Foundational Verse
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2003 - Members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church prayed for a vision of how they could reach out to the neighborhood in which the church was located.
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2003 - The first Christmas party for neighborhood children was held with the help of St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
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2004 - The first Lawn Parties were held in June and August.
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2005 - Street Ministry had it's official beginning.
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2006 - It was decided that a meal would be served twice per month and by May a meal was being served every Monday. The name of Koinania was adopted for the organization.
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2007 - In January the Mission Statement of "Serving the Midway with open hands" was drafted.
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2008 - Twice per month on Monday, a meal was served from the Jesus Delivers truck.
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2009 - On May 19, 2009, Open Hands Midway became our name and the organization was incorporated as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We began offering an emergency food shelf. A partnership was established with YouthWorks. In October, Kids' Club began once a month during the school year.
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2010 - A uweekly meal on Wednesday's during the summer months was added. Kids' Club expanded to four days a week in the summer being staffed by YouthWorks.
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2016 - In March our new mission statement, which is found at the top of each page on our website, was drafted.
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2018 - In November, Open Hands Midway received the Midway Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the month award.
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2019 - In April, Open Hands Midway received the L'Etoile du Nord (Star of the North) award from Minnesota United FC.
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2020 - In May, Open Hands Midway added a second day of weekly meal service every Wednesday.
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2020 - In August, our mission statement was revised to emphasize our focus on meal and food programs.
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2021 - In July, Open Hands Midway opened a NEW food shelf where guests are able to shop for their own groceries.
Open Hands Midway began as an outreach ministry of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. At that time a foundational verse was established. The verse is taken from Matthew 25:35-40,
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Today, Open Hands Midway continues to serve those that society frequently forgets - people living in poverty. Staff and volunteers invite guests into an atmosphere of love and acceptance during all meal and food programs.