# Project Open Hand

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Project_Open_Hand
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Project_Open_Hand.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Open_Hand
> Source revision: 1346660767
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

US nonprofit organization

For other uses, see [Open hand](/source/Open_hand).

April 15, 2009 ~ Congresswoman Pelosi meets with members of San Francisco's Project Open Hand.

**Project Open Hand** is a [California](/source/California) [nonprofit organization](/source/Nonprofit_organization) that provides medically tailored meals and groceries to elderly and homebound people in [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco) and [Alameda County](/source/Alameda_County%2C_California). Founded in 1985 to deliver meals to people with [AIDS](/source/AIDS), it also took over [food banks](/source/Food_bank) in the 1980s and 1990s and in the 21st century extended its services to include people with other acute and chronic conditions and to serve lunches to seniors. Its headquarters are at 730 [Polk Street](/source/Polk_Street) in the [Tenderloin](/source/Tenderloin%2C_San_Francisco); its CEO is Paul Hepfer.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## History

Project Open Hand was created in 1985 by [Ruth Brinker](/source/Ruth_Brinker), who had worked in food service and as an executive director for [Meals on Wheels](/source/Meals_on_Wheels) and recognized the relatively small number of [social services](/source/Social_services) for those infected with [HIV](/source/HIV) and their particular need for nourishing food since there was at the time no treatment for AIDS.[1][2] It began as meal service to seven people with AIDS,[3] paid for by a $2,000 grant from the [San Francisco Zen Center](/source/San_Francisco_Zen_Center) and the [Golden Gate Business Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Golden_Gate_Business_Association&action=edit&redlink=1).[4] Meals were initially cooked in her kitchen and later at Trinity Episcopal Church;[4][5] in 1987, a grant from the [Chevron Corporation](/source/Chevron_Corporation) enabled a move to a professional kitchen, and Project Open Hand took over a food bank.[4] In 1991, it also took over the AIDS Food Bank from the [San Francisco AIDS Foundation](/source/San_Francisco_AIDS_Foundation).[6][7] It served 500 meals a day by 1988, and opened its [Oakland](/source/Oakland%2C_California) branch on October 17, 1989, the day of the [Loma Prieta earthquake](/source/Loma_Prieta_earthquake);[4] it opened a second professional kitchen in Oakland in 1996, and in 1997 moved to 730 Polk Street, which it had purchased as its headquarters.[4]

Tom Nolan, executive director from 1994 to 2011, began expanding the organization's mission to include senior citizens and people with serious illnesses other than AIDS and chronic conditions such as [diabetes](/source/Diabetes).[8][9] Nolan was succeeded by Kevin Winge,[10] who expanded food pickup services from those with HIV or [breast cancer](/source/Breast_cancer) to people with other conditions including [diabetes](/source/Diabetes) and [heart disease](/source/Heart_disease),[10][11][12] followed in 2016 by Mark Ryle.[13] Paul Hepfer became executive director in March 2019.[14]

In 2014–16, Project Open Hand participated in a study by the [University of California, San Francisco](/source/University_of_California%2C_San_Francisco) of the role of nutritious food in supporting the sick;[11][15][16] since its institution in June 2017, it has played a major role in Food is Medicine, a three-year state-funded pilot project to provide medically tailored meals to chronically ill people receiving assistance through [Medi-Cal](/source/Medi-Cal), the California version of [Medicaid](/source/Medicaid).[14]

Much of the organization's work is done by volunteers, 125 a day in 2003.[3] It is funded by a combination of donations, including from foundations such as the [Isabel Allende Foundation](/source/Isabel_Allende#Foundation),[3] federal, and city assistance. As of June 1996[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Project_Open_Hand&action=edit) it delivered 1,600 dinners a day and 1,500 bags of groceries a week, and provided as many as 300 bags of groceries to walk-in clients at its food bank.[5] As of July 2003[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Project_Open_Hand&action=edit) it was serving almost 2,000 clients a day,[3] and in 2004 it had a total of 30,000 clients.[4] As of August 2011[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Project_Open_Hand&action=edit) it was receiving $5.6 million a year in donations and government funding and serving almost 2,600 meals a day, to seniors and people with cancer and other serious illnesses in addition to AIDS, as well as providing groceries.[1][2] As of April 2015[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Project_Open_Hand&action=edit) it had a $10 million budget and served approximately 8,000 clients, including 4,400 in the senior lunch program.[10] As of February 2019[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Project_Open_Hand&action=edit) it provided 2,500 meals and 200 bags of groceries a day.[14] Until 2020, when the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_San_Francisco_Bay_Area) prevented it, it also hosted holiday gatherings at the end of the year.[17]

Responding to the AIDS emergency led many charities formed at the time, including Project Open Hand, to prioritize services over bookkeeping; after being taken to task by the *[Bay Area Reporter](/source/Bay_Area_Reporter)*, the organization instituted a board of directors and reduced pay for the director.[18] In the late 1980s and early 1990s its finances were investigated and no improprieties found.[2]

Singer-songwriter [Sylvester](/source/Sylvester_(singer)) dictated in his will that posthumous proceeds from his albums would be directed to Project Open Hand and the AIDS Emergency Fund.[19] After the fulfillment of his past debts in the 1990s, the balance of his proceeds have been split between the two organizations since.[20]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NYT_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NYT_1-1) Slotnik, Daniel S. (2011-08-18). ["Ruth Brinker, Who Gave AIDS Patients Meals, Is Dead at 89"](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/us/19brinker.html?_r=1). *[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times)*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sfgate_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sfgate_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-sfgate_2-2) Kane, Will (2011-11-30) [2011-08-14]. ["Ruth Brinker, Project Open Hand founder, dies"](https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/ruth-brinker-project-open-hand-founder-dies-2334969.php). *[San Francisco Chronicle](/source/San_Francisco_Chronicle)*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ABC_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ABC_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ABC_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ABC_3-3) ["Project Open Hand: Volunteers Are Heart And Soul Of Organization"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050415220623/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/news/salutes/070403_salutes_open_hand.html). [KGO-TV](/source/KGO-TV). 2003-07-07 [2003-07-02]. Archived from [the original](http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/news/salutes/070403_salutes_open_hand.html) on 2005-04-15.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Jefferson_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Jefferson_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Jefferson_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Jefferson_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Jefferson_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Jefferson_4-5) Pullen, Suzanne (2005-07-23). ["The Jefferson Award: Ruth Brinker, AIDS project founder"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110514000835/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2005%2F07%2F23%2FEDGM7C8L1J1.DTL). *San Francisco Chronicle*. Archived from [the original](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2005%2F07%2F23%2FEDGM7C8L1J1.DTL) on 2011-05-14.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Nolan_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Nolan_5-1) Tuller, David (2012-02-02) [1996-06-21]. ["Sunday Interview: Doing Something To Help / Tom Nolan, director of Project Open Hand, talks about the tricky job of feeding the hungry and the sick in San Francisco's AIDS community"](https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/SUNDAY-INTERVIEW-Doing-Something-To-Help-Tom-2973227.php). *San Francisco Chronicle*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Finding Aid to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) Records, 1982-1995 MSS 94-60"](https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt509nd35m/entire_text/). *[Online Archive of California](/source/Online_Archive_of_California)*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** "Timeline". *Annual Report 2011*. [San Francisco AIDS Foundation](/source/San_Francisco_AIDS_Foundation). 2012-04-29. p. 14. 1991: The AIDS Food Bank transfers to Project Open Hand.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Executive Director Tom Nolan To Leave Project Open Hand"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110415161415/http://www.openhand.org/2011/02/08/executive-director-tom-nolan-to-leave-project-open-hand/) (press release). Project Open Hand. 2011-02-09. Archived from [the original](https://www.openhand.org/2011/02/08/executive-director-tom-nolan-to-leave-project-open-hand/) on 2011-04-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Vigil, Delfin (2017-01-26). ["Tom Nolan Volunteer Service Award"](https://www.openhand.org/blog/tom-nolan-volunteer-service-award). Project Open Hand. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Winge_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Winge_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Winge_10-2) Hemmelgarn, Seth (2015-02-04). ["Winge leaving Project Open Hand"](https://www.ebar.com/news///245110). *[Bay Area Reporter](/source/Bay_Area_Reporter)*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-expands_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-expands_11-1) Hemmelgarn, Seth (2014-07-09). ["Project Open Hand expands eligibility for services"](https://www.ebar.com/news///244619). *Bay Area Reporter*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Allday, Erin (2016-07-15) [2016-06-25]. ["For San Francisco's AIDS network, survival and evolution"](https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/For-San-Francisco-s-AIDS-network-survival-and-8325339.php). *San Francisco Chronicle*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Madison, Alex (2019-01-23). ["Open Hand CEO leaves for St. Francis Foundation"](https://www.ebar.com/news/news//271301). *Bay Area Reporter*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hepfer_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hepfer_14-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Hepfer_14-2) Madison, Alex (2019-02-27). ["Open Hand names new CEO"](https://www.ebar.com/news/news//272876). *Bay Area Reporter*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Winge, Kevin (2014). ["Project Open Hand Expands Services, Launches Food = Medicine Pilot Study"](http://sfbaytimes.com/project-open-hand-expands-services-launches-food-medicine-pilot-study/). *[San Francisco Bay Times](/source/San_Francisco_Bay_Times)*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Allday, Erin (2016-08-19). ["Oakland food bank trial aims to study diet's effects on diabetes"](https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/Oakland-food-bank-trial-aims-to-study-diet-s-9174078.php). *San Francisco Chronicle*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Rubenstein, Steve; Arredondo, Vanessa (2020-11-14). ["'Unlike anything we've ever seen': Bay Area charities brace for a pandemic Thanksgiving"](https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Unlike-anything-we-ve-ever-seen-Bay-Area-15726133.php). *San Francisco Chronicle*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** May, Meredith (2011-12-07) [2011-06-12]. ["Bay Area Reporter: 40 years at hub of gay culture"](https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/Bay-Area-Reporter-40-years-at-hub-of-gay-culture-2368559.php). *San Francisco Chronicle*. Retrieved 2021-02-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Davis, Sharon (2015). *Mighty Real: Sharon Davis Remembers Sylvester*. New Romney: Bank House Books. p. 79. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9573058-9-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9573058-9-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Matthew S. Bajko (April 15, 2010). ["Sylvester songs profit local AIDS agencies"](http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=4713). *[Bay Area Reporter](/source/Bay_Area_Reporter)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150706133603/http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=4713) from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2015.

## External links

- [Project Open Hand](http://www.openhand.org)

v t e HIV/AIDS topics HIV HIV Lentivirus structure and genome subtypes CDC classification disease progression rates HIV Drug Resistance Database National Addiction and HIV Data Archive Program remission HIV/AIDS diagnosis management pathophysiology prevention research signs and symptoms vaccination PrEP WHO disease staging system for HIV infection and disease children teens/adults Countries by HIV prevalence rate Conditions AIDS-defining clinical condition Cardiomyopathy Diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome Innate resistance Lipodystrophy Nephropathy Neurocognitive disorders Nutrition Opportunistic infection Kaposi's sarcoma Pneumocystis pneumonia toxoplasmosis tuberculosis Pregnancy Pruritus Serostatus Superinfection History Discredited origins theories Epidemiology multiple sex partners Notable patients Berlin Patient Timothy Ray Brown City of Hope Patient Gaëtan Dugas London Patient Grethe Rask Robert Rayford Ryan White Timeline World AIDS Museum Social Activism ACT UP Gay Men's Health Crisis AIDS orphan Circumcision Criminal transmission Denialism Discrimination against people Economic impact cost of treatment HIV-affected community HIV-positive people men who have sex with men women HIV.gov People With AIDS In the porn industry Product Red Red ribbon Religion Catholic Church Safe sex Sex education Undetectable = Untransmittable Culture AIDS Memorial Quilt Ayds Day Without Art European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership Elton John AIDS Foundation The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert "Free Me" The Global Fund International AIDS Conference International AIDS Society Larry Kramer Reports from the Holocaust AIDS–Holocaust metaphor Media portrayal Misconceptions President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Silence=Death Project film The SING Campaign Solidays Treatment Action Campaign UNAIDS World AIDS Day YAA/Youthforce Locations Africa Angola Benin Botswana Democratic Republic of the Congo Egypt Eswatini Ethiopia Ghana Guinea Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Kenya Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mali Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda Senegal Tanzania South Africa Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe Asia Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Cambodia China (PRC) Yunnan India Indonesia Iran Iraq Japan Jordan North Korea Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Burma) Nepal Pakistan Philippines Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka Taiwan Thailand Timor-Leste United Arab Emirates Turkey Vietnam Europe Russia Ukraine United Kingdom North America Canada El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua United States New York City Caribbean Dominican Republic Haiti Jamaica South America Argentina Bolivia Brazil Colombia Guyana Peru Uruguay Oceania Australia New Zealand Papua New Guinea List of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths registered by region List of HIV-positive people

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Project Open Hand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Open_Hand) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Open_Hand?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.