20 Questions

1. What does Project Open Hand do?

Project Open Hand provides people with symptomatic HIV/AIDS in San Francisco and Alameda counties daily home-delivered meals or weekly groceries, depending on their physical condition; provides home delivered meals to people who are homebound and critically ill with any serious medical condition, such as cancer, breast cancer and diabetes and severe arthritis; provides hot lunches to seniors at various congregate sites all over San Francisco. Project Open Hand also provides nutrition counseling with registered dietitians to our clients at Project Open Hand or at clients’ homes.

2. When was Project Open Hand founded?

Project Open Hand was founded in 1985 by Ruth Brinker, a retired meals services manager and grandmother.

3. How do people qualify for services?

For those living with HIV/AIDS or who are Homebound and Critically Ill, please have your doctor fill out the eligibility form and return it to Project Open Hand. Seniors can go directly to one of our sites in San Francisco and Alameda County sign up.

4. How much of my donation goes to direct services to people with AIDS or other illnesses?

79% to direct services, 21% to administrative and fundraising costs.

5. What is Project Open Hand’s tax ID number? Is Project Open Hand a 501(c)(3) organization?

Tax ID# 94-3023551. Yes, Project Open Hand is a non-profit organization, given tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

6. What is Project Open Hand’s mailing address / main phone / fax number?

Project Open Hand – San Francisco
730 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Main Phone: (415) 447-2300
Fax: (415) 447-2490

7. Where is the East Bay office/facility?

Project Open Hand – Oakland
1921 San Pablo Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 622-0221
Fax: (510) 452-1061

8. Where is the Project Open Hand San Francisco Grocery Center?

730 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Hours: Tuesdays 9AM to 4PM
Wednesday-Saturday, 11AM to 4PM

9. Does Project Open Hand receive $ from the United Way? Can I designate Project Open Hand to receive my United Way donation?

Yes. There’s no need to have a United Way number. Donors can simply write in Project Open Hand and be sure to put our address or put in our account number: 9258780.

10. Does Project Open Hand receive $ from the government?

Project Open Hand receives partial support for services to people with HIV/AIDS from federal Ryan White CARE Act funds through the public health departments of San Francisco and Alameda counties. The Senior Lunch Program is funded by San Francisco’s Aging and Adult Services Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, senior contributions, and Project Open Hand.

11. How many clients does Project Open Hand serve? How many meals? How many Grocery bags at the Grocery Centers?

3,300 people with HIV/AIDS or other serious illnesses received food from Project Open Hand last year. 4,100 seniors received lunches in our Senior Lunch Program. Over 70,000 bags of groceries were given out at the Grocery Centers.

12. How many volunteers help at Project Open Hand?

Project Open Hand needs 125 volunteers each day to join us for chopping and cutting fresh vegetables and fruits that go into the meals. Volunteers may find themselves slicing zucchini, chopping mushrooms, sorting groceries or packaging meals. Our volunteers come from all walks of life. What they have in common is a generous heart and a desire to help bring food to those who are ill and hungry. Learn more about volunteering here.

13. How can I volunteer?

Attend a volunteer orientation meeting. In San Francisco, every Wednesday at 6 PM. In the East Bay, every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 6 PM. Volunteer Hotline: (415) 447-2404; in the East Bay, (510) 596-8200.

14. How many staff?

About 115 staff, full and part-time, including the part time staff at various senior lunch center sites.

15. Can I donate my car?

Yes, but Project Open Hand will not be using the car to deliver meals. We sell the car and keep the money as a donation. Two organizations handle this for us: the Vehicle Donation Processing Center, and Charity Connections, which is part of the Volunteers of America, at (800) 559-5458. Both pick up the car, deal with all the tax issues, sell it and give Project Open Hand the money.

16. Can I donate stock?

Yes, Project Open Hand is pleased to accept gifts of stock. Click here for more details, or contact our Director of Development at (415) 447-2410 or via email.

17. Can I donate food, furniture, etc?

All non-perishable, “in kind” donation calls should go to our Purchasing Manager at (415) 447-2375.

18. Can I throw a party or put on an event and give the proceeds to Project Open Hand?

Please contact our Director of Special Events at (415) 447-2416 or via email. If you are interested in sponsoring or attending an event please visit our upcoming events page.

19. Can I leave money in my will for Project Open Hand?

Yes, we are always honored when someone leaves a gift for Project Open Hand in their planned giving. For more information please click here or contact our Director of Development at (415) 447-2410 or via email.