About Us | Who We Are | San Francisco | East Bay | Virtual Tour | Green Solutions | 20 Questions | Contact Us
1. When was Project Open Hand founded?
Project Open Hand was founded in 1985 by Ruth Brinker, a retired grandmother.
2. 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 diagnosis form and return to Project Open Hand. Seniors can go directly to one of our sites throughout San Francisco and sign up.
3. How much of my donation goes to direct services to people with AIDS or other illnesses?
82% to direct services, 18% to administrative costs.
4. 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.
5. What is Project Open Hand's mailing address / main phone / fax number?
730 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Main Phone: (415) 447-2300
Fax: (415) 447-2490
6. Where is the East Bay office/facility?
1921 San Pablo Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 622-0221
Fax: (510) 452-1061
7. Where is the Project Open Hand San Francisco Grocery Center?
730 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 447-2300
Fax: (415) 447-2490
Hours: Tuesdays 9AM to 4PM
Wednesday-Saturday, 11AM to 4PM
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. How many clients does Project Open Hand serve? How many meals? How many Grocery bags at the Grocery Centers?
2,500 people with HIV/AIDS or other serious illnesses received food from Project Open Hand last year. 2,500 seniors received lunches in our Senior Lunch Program. Over 65,000 bags of groceries were given out at the Grocery Centers.
11. How many volunteers?
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.
12. How many staff?
About 110 staff, full and part-time, including the part time staff at various senior lunch center sites.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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 by email.
16. Can I donate food, furniture, etc?
All non-perishable, "in kind" donation calls should go to our Purchasing Assistant at (415) 447-2375.
17. 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 by email. If you are interested in sponsoring or attending an event please visit our upcoming events page.
18. 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 by email.
19. How can I volunteer?
Attend a volunteer orientation meeting. In San Francisco, every Wednesday at 6 PM at 730 Polk Street. In the East Bay, every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 6 PM. Volunteer Hotline: (415) 447-2404; in the East Bay, (510) 596-8200.
20. Can I buy Project Open Hand products?
Yes, you can find all kinds of Project Open Hand products such as aprons, t-shirts, cards and calendars at www.openhandstore.org. You can also buy them at Under One Roof, between 18th and 19th Street, which sells products to benefit several AIDS service organizations. Please call our donor hotline (415) 447-2419, for more information.
