Non-Profit of the Year Award - Open Cupboard

Non-Profit of the Year Award
"Organization that has shown outstanding support to the Greater Osceola area through contributions and support of the community."

Open Cupboard             

In 1991, new Osceola resident Roseanne Anderson organized a gift program called Blessing Baskets that helped needy families have food and gifts during the Christmas season.

Roseanne quickly realized that there were hungry people around Osceola all year long so in 1993 a group of concerned citizens started the Open Cupboard.  Open Cupboard, also known as our Osceola area food shelf began operation in a small area behind Dr. Harry Beck’s optometry office on 3rd Ave in February of that year. There were obstacles to overcome – the largest being the belief from residents that there was no need for a food shelf in our town.  Roseanne knew better however.  In 1997, the food shelf was forced to relocate. Osceola Lumber Yard owner Wendell Viebrock allowed the food shelf to operate rent-free out of his building for the next 18 years.  When the building sold in 2015 to begin the expansion of Dick’s, Wendell donated the necessary property (near previous building location) and donations from three community members provided the funding to build a new building.  Open Cupboard began operation in their beautiful new structure (which has been designed for their use) in 2016.
Roseanne is the face of Open Cupboard but she is the first to admit that she could not have done what she has been able to do without her volunteers. There have been many key people over the years with the present volunteer count at eight (besides Roseanne).

Their mission statement reads:  “To provide the community with guidance and supportive services with those in need including food, clothing, household items, school supplies, winter gear, financial aid for rent and utilities and other needed essentials.”

Roseanne is quoted as saying, “Without community this wouldn’t be here.  What we have no other food shelf has and that’s because of this community.”

Many thanks to Open Cupboard’s past and present volunteers:
Sue Dougherty            Sherry Williams          Rhonda Haley              Kathy Monroe
Anne Hennessy            Char Bottolfson          Norma Fish                   Myrna Bucki
Bev Medvec                  Fran Griffin               Judy Weiss                   Sherry Hanson        
Karen Wynveen            Mary Clare Huberty  Rosanne Anderson