Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

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Open Arms of Minnesota

Core Medically Tailored Meal and Delivery Program

What you get

Free meals for up to one additional household member, medically tailored meals, and weekly home delivery or pickup where available. Open now.

Who starts it
You, with a document from your social worker or doctor
How it’s sent
Email to meals@openarmsmn.org, or by post
Your time
An hour or so, plus waiting for the document
Last checked
Aug 27, 2026

Before you start, check you fit

  • Cancer alone is insufficient; additional factors must affect cooking and shopping.
  • Meals cannot be promised allergen-free and must be accepted rather than left unattended.
  • Cancer in remission does not qualify under the current form.

  1. Ask your social worker or doctor for the documentStart here. This is the part that takes the longest.

    Open Arms of Minnesota needs a signed confirmation of the diagnosis from your social worker or doctor. It has to cover 3 things. Copy this message, or say it in person at the next visit.

    Hi [social worker’s name],

We’d like to apply to Open Arms of Minnesota’s Core Medically Tailored Meal and Delivery Program. They offer free meals for up to one additional household member, medically tailored meals, and weekly home delivery or pickup where available, and they are taking applications now.

They need a signed confirmation of the diagnosis from you or someone on the care team. It has to cover treatment type and dates, current treatment status, and relevant diagnosis and medical need. Their form and instructions are here: https://www.openarmsmn.org/get-meals/

Could you do that when you have a chance? I’ll bring the printed form to our next visit, or I can email it. Thank you for everything you do for us.

[your name] · [phone]
    Copying is the only thing this page does with your text. Nothing is saved.

  2. Fill in their formPrint it, or fill it in on screen if the PDF allows.

    Open the application PDF ↗ Checked Aug 27, 2026

    What the form asks for

    Client information
    Legal Name (First, Middle, Last)Preferred Name (if different)Mailing Address, Apt, City, State, Zip code, CountyIs this the address for meal deliveryIf no, please attach delivery address and send in with applicationDate Of BirthClient emailPrimary Phone and typeOther Phone and typeBest Time to ReachIs an interpreter neededIf yes, language neededCountry of BirthGenderPronounsRace/EthnicityIs the client a veteran
    Income, insurance, waiver, and food security
    Total Household Income per month or per yearNo. of People in Household Supported by IncomeIncome SourceDoes the client have health insuranceIf yes, please select primary source of insuranceIf applicable, please select any secondary source(s) of insuranceEligible for meal reimbursement through a waiverIF YES, which waiver is client eligible forIF YES, please provide case manager contact information: Name, Organization, Phone, EmailIn the last 6 months, did the client ever skip meals or eat less than they should because there wasn't enough money for foodDoes the client receive meals, groceries, or other food items from another agencyAnything else you would like us to know
    Show the rest of the form (4 more sections)
    Release of information and waiver of liability
    I, [name], have requested services from Open Arms of MinnesotaHealthcare Provider: Name, Agency/Relationship, Phone/Fax/EmailSocial Worker: Name, Agency/Relationship, Phone/Fax/EmailRegistered Dietitian: Name, Agency/Relationship, Phone/Fax/EmailCase Manager: Name, Agency/Relationship, Phone/Fax/EmailWaiver Case Manager: Name, Agency/Relationship, Phone/Fax/EmailEmergency Contact: Name, Agency/Relationship, Phone/Fax/EmailClient SignatureDateRelease and Waiver of Liability: SignaturePrinted Name of ParticipantIf person participating is not yet 18 years old: Parent/Guardian SignaturePrinted Name of Parent/Guardian
    Client agreements, initials, and signature
    Initial here to indicate you understand these rightsInitial here to indicate you understand and agree to the Data Privacy PolicyInitial here to indicate you understand and agree to the Grievance ProcedureInitial here to indicate you understand and agree to the non-discrimination policyInitial here to indicate you understand and agree to the Behavior policyInitial here to indicate you understand and agree to the Missed Delivery PolicyInitial here to indicate you understand the AcknowledgmentsClient NameDateClient Signature
    Medical certification - diagnosis and medical conditions
    Client release: NameClient release: SignatureClient release: DatePRIMARY DIAGNOSIS (Check all applicable diagnoses, at least one required)Cancer statusType of cancerDate of diagnosisTreatmentTreatment Start Date, End Date, Ongoing status, surgery recovery time, or hospice start dateOther Treatment Please DescribeNo Current Treatment Please ExplainOTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS: chronic and acute conditions, dates, reasons, and hospitals
    Medical certification - labs, daily living, nutrition, and provider verification · your care team fills this in
    LAB VALUES (please provide the client's most recent labs that apply to their condition)Vision impairmentHearing impairmentCognitive limitationPhysical limitationHeightWeight (lbs)Date TakenHas the client recently lost weight without tryingIF YES, how much weight did they loseHas the client been eating poorly because of a decreased appetiteDoes the client have any food allergiesIF YES, please list allergies and type(s) of reaction(s) client has to the foodDoes the client have any special dietary needs that may impact their servicesIs the client taking any medications that may impact their nutritional statusIF YES, please list, or attach a list, of client's current medicationsDoes the client have a history of eating disordersHEALTHCARE PROVIDER: NameTitleOrganizationAddressPhoneFaxEmailSignatureDate

    Have ready

    • Client Information Form, release, liability waiver, client agreements, and acknowledgments on pages 3-10.
    • Delivery address attachment if different from the mailing address.

  3. Email your application and the document togetherTo meals@openarmsmn.org. Or post it to the address on the form. Your social worker or doctor can send it instead if the document has to stay with them.

    • Email the complete form to meals@openarmsmn.org, mail it to Client Services Department, 2500 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, or fax it to 612-872-0866.

    Email: meals@openarmsmn.org

    Fax: 612-872-0866

    Subject: Core Medically Tailored Meal and Delivery Program application, [child’s name]

Hello,

Attached are our completed application and the document from [social worker’s name] at [hospital]. Please let me know that it arrived and if anything is missing.

Thank you,
[your name] · [phone]

After you send

Open Arms says it will review the completed application and reach out within two weeks; call 612-767-7333 if follow-up is needed. If you have not heard back by then, write and ask.

Full record, as published