Programs of The Open Door

The Open Door’s core mission is “a healthy food approach to ending local hunger through access to healthy food”. At our Pantry in Eagan and on our Mobile Pantry, milk, eggs, dairy, meat, chicken, fish, bakery, fruits and vegetables are offered to food insecure families at every visit. At least 70% of the food offered is fresh and perishable. Families select their own food, as no food is pre-bagged for the client.

The Mobile Pantry is an innovative approach to providing food support to those who lack reliable transportation. The Mobile Pantry travels to designated sites on a pre-arranged schedule, one neighborhood at a time, eliminating transportation and mobility barriers. At some sites, individuals and families select healthy, wholesome food from our freshly-stocked bus lined with pantry shelves. At other locations, clients select fresh food and non-perishable items from tables set up inside existing community structures, like a school or senior living facility. Like our Eagan Pantry food shelves, 70% of the food offered is fresh and perishable.

The Mobile Lunch Box is a new one-of-a-kind approach to addressing children’s hunger in the summertime when parents are at work and children are not in school accessing free and reduced meal programs. The Mobile Lunch Box brings free healthy lunches to neighborhoods across Dakota County. Kids also receive a bag of healthy food to take home with them.

With nine sites and more than 200 plots, Garden To Table® is a sustainable approach to eliminating hunger and promotes improved access to fresh garden produce for families in need of food support through 1) adoptable plots—garden plots, seeds, plants, and tools are available for food shelf clients at no cost and 2) giving gardens—churches, schools and businesses provide fresh garden produce for the Pantry.

Family Advocates are trained volunteers who link families to various social service agencies, dependent upon the family’s need. The Open Door moves families from crisis to stability and works to reduce the impact of poverty at the family and community level.