As a Castilian/Mexican, Carmen loves to cook and knows a lot about good, healthy food made with love. Carmen started visiting Curry Senior Center for the daily movies, and has stayed for the nutritious food and community offered by Project Open Hand – often spending much of her day at the center, socializing with others and even volunteering at times, despite her mobility challenges.
Carmen is retired after many years of working in a variety of jobs at Bank of America, the L.A. Unified School District and as an in-home caregiver. Although a decade-old spinal injury requires she sometimes use a walker or cane, Carmen is cheerful, quick to count her blessings and is so grateful for Project Open Hand’s senior meals program. Without the breakfast and lunch served by Project Open Hand at the senior center, Carmen wouldn't be able to make ends meet on her very modest SSI benefits.
Carmen loves Project Open Hand's soups, and the fresh fruits and veggies she knows are important to her health for their antioxidants and Vitamin C. Since becoming a Project Open Hand client in October of last year, her health has improved so much that her doctor has been able to reduce the amount of medications she takes. Carmen says, “With the support of donors from our community, Project Open Hand makes a huge difference. They provide nutritious meals to those who would otherwise go without.”