Open Arms Mission names interim executive director

Open Arms Mission in Antioch has named an interim executive director after founder Rev. Scott Keenan stepped down for personal reasons.

Marytherese Ambacher of Antioch has been named to the post. Ambacher, 55, has been serving as the vice chairwoman of the board at Open Arms. She has been working with the food pantry since 2001.

Ambacher says Rev. Keenen will be missed.

"He has been a blessing to the organization and to the community," Ambacher stated in a news release. "We'll miss him."

Open Arms distributed 532,000 pounds of food and over 9,000 gallons of milk in 2007, according to its Web site. One of the largest food pantries in Lake County it helps more than 250 families each week. The mission has seen an increase in the number of hungry people this year and receives an average of 30 new families a week needing food.

"We will move forward with our mission's goal of neighbor helping neighbor," said Ambacher. "We will continue to build on the foundation of the organization that was established under Scott's leadership."