Our History

In the mid-1980s a small group of Christian men began talking about what could be done to help the needy in our city. They stepped out in faith, naming their work, Open Arms Mission, incorporated as a charity, purchased a building, and began helping the less fortunate.

In early 1987, a Director was hired and the hours of operation increased. In those early years, our food bank served approximately 80 families each month. Those numbers grew to 200 households by the mid-1990s. Assistance requests have continued to increase since then and we now serve approximately 650 people a month.

In 2008, we purchased a property on Crowland Ave and opened Redeemed Goods. Redeemed Goods was a thrift store that provided training opportunities for retail and warehousing positions as well as low-cost clothing and household goods. Redeemed Goods closed in December of 2019 after the building was sold.

In 2011, we expanded again to our third property on Forks Road West. The large country property allows for excellent warehousing for our Food Hub. The large garden allows us to grow fresh produce that we can use at our Mission Centre food bank.

Until it closed in 2021, the warehouse also housed our furniture bank.  We were able to receive furniture, and then sell it at a low cost, with all proceeds going right back to fund the different programs run by Open Arms Mission. Redeemed Lives, our fast-growing men's ministry that meets in the Barn every Wednesday evening at 7pm. It has been nice to be able to join together after a long break due to COVID restrictions.

Open Arms Mission receives no regular government funding. We are supported solely by individuals, organizations, churches, and businesses in our community. We are a volunteer-driven organization with few staff members keeping our operating costs as low as possible.