Project Open Hand
Medically tailored meals and groceries for critically ill.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
* | N/A | Grant | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Project Open Hand is a nonprofit organization focused on improving health outcomes by providing nutrition services to the sick and vulnerable. The organization was founded in 1985 by Ruth Brinker, a retired food-service worker who recognized the need for nutritious meals for people with HIV/AIDS during the early days of the epidemic in San Francisco. Having previously volunteered for Meals on Wheels and worked in food service, Brinker began preparing meals in her own kitchen for seven neighbors with AIDS, funded by a small grant.
The organization's scope has since expanded significantly. Initially serving only people with AIDS, Project Open Hand now provides medically tailored meals and groceries to individuals with other critical illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, as well as seniors and adults with disabilities. The service area includes San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties. Its offerings include home-delivered meals for the homebound, weekly fresh groceries from its centers in San Francisco and Oakland, and hot congregate meals served at multiple sites across San Francisco. Daily, the organization prepares approximately 2,500 meals and provides around 200 bags of groceries, relying on the help of over 125 volunteers.
The business model is that of a nonprofit, funded through a combination of government funding, corporate and foundation grants, and individual donations. It also partners with health plans and participates in government pilot programs like "Food is Medicine," which aims to integrate medically tailored meals into healthcare for chronically ill Medi-Cal patients. Project Open Hand is also a founding partner of the national Food Is Medicine Coalition to advocate for public policy that supports nutrition services. Clients receive individualized nutrition counseling and assessments from registered dietitians to ensure the meals meet their specific medical needs.
Keywords: medically tailored meals, nutrition services, food is medicine, community nutrition, chronic illness support, senior meal program, HIV/AIDS services, food security, nonprofit, public health, San Francisco, Alameda County, volunteer-based, grocery assistance, home-delivered meals, congregate meals, nutrition counseling, Ruth Brinker, health outcomes