Kelli Heywood has built a life defined by helping others. A proud mother, grandmother and longtime volunteer, she spent decades giving back by teaching English as a second language and supporting local animal shelters and zoos. “I always felt called to do something,” she says.
In 1996, Kelli was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The condition causes fatigue and limits her mobility and the use of her hands, among other symptoms. As the disease progressed and her symptoms became more pronounced, she had no choice but to step away from her career as an accountant and her beloved volunteer work. Now 67 years old, she lives independently and uses a scooter to get around her South Saint Paul home and community.
Like many older adults and people living with disabilities, Kelli began to face an increasingly difficult question: how to prepare nutritious meals for herself. Her diet became limited to foods that required little preparation and lacked nutritional value. The toll on her health was significant.
“Without eating properly, I was doing less and sitting more because I just didn’t have the energy.”
The Power of Nutritious Meals
Kelli learned about Open Arms of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers medically tailored meals at no cost to critically ill Minnesotans and their loved ones. Last year they produced and distributed nearly 1.5 million meals for those in need of nutritional support.
Eager to receive their services, Kelli joined Open Arms’ waitlist at the end of 2024. Like many meal service providers in Minnesota, Open Arms is working hard to keep up with the growing demand for nutritious home-delivered meals as our population ages.
“Stories like Kelli’s remind us why our work matters so deeply,” said Open Arms CEO Leah Hebert Welles. “When we deliver medically tailored meals to someone’s door, we’re not just providing critical nutrition; we’re providing our clients a community of support, love and hope. The growing demand we’re seeing reflects both the critical need in our community and the life-changing impact these meals can have. Although we’re proud to serve more than 3,500 clients a year, we know there are many more Minnesotans like Kelli waiting for support.”
Kelli began receiving meals in early 2025. Her weekly deliveries include 14 frozen meals, fresh fruit, and a few sweet treats. Not only does she enjoy the meals, she has also noticed changes in her health. “I cannot tell you the difference in my energy level and just how healthy I feel now that I receive Open Arms meals.”
The Growing Need
Kelli’s story is just one example of the positive impacts healthy home-delivered meals can make. Across Minnesota, the number of older adults is growing rapidly, and many are living with chronic conditions that make it difficult to shop for or prepare meals. Support services like home-delivered meals can make the difference between older adults living independently and safely in their homes and needing more expensive institutional care.
Despite the growing need, state funding continues to fall short. Based on current funding levels, The Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging projects 451,000 fewer meals will be available to older adults in 2026 than in 2025, resulting in a loss of service to 6,000 seniors. Coupled with rising food and gas prices, this shortfall is reaching alarming levels.
A Call to Meet the Moment
The Senior Meals and Services Coalition, a group representing more than 40 service providers across Minnesota, is calling for increased state funding for home-delivered meals and other services that help people like Kelli live independently.
The 2026 Legislature did not take up the coalition’s request for a $4.7 million increase to the state’s Senior Nutrition Program, which would have helped fill the gap between the need and what providers can offer. While lawmakers approved legislation that will give providers more flexibility to serve their communities, there is much more work to be done to ensure older Minnesotans remain healthy and fed. The coalition will continue to connect with legislators and build momentum for the cause leading into next year’s legislative session.
As for Kelli, she is excited about her newfound volunteer calling: advocating for older adults and people living with MS. She hopes her story will encourage lawmakers to see the human impact of programs that support independence and dignity. Most importantly, she hopes people will remember the value older adults bring through their wisdom, experiences and lifelong contributions.
What You Can Do
We need your voice to strengthen the programs that keep older Minnesotans healthy and connected. Learn more about the Senior Meals and Services Coalition and how you can get involved at www.seniorservicesmn.org.