I wake at 5:00 AM and spend every morning running through the streets of San Francisco. I use the time to reflect on the work being done at Project Open Hand and the vital role the organization plays in the community that lies within the very streets I run through.
Not only has Project Open Hand participated as beneficiary of the Giant Race, but I have participated as a half-marathon runner and fundraiser. I ran my very first Giant Race in 2013 and my parents traveled from Texas to watch as I crossed the finish line. I felt an immense sense of accomplishment, having raised $12,000 that year and $27,000 the following.
Training for the Giant Race has been a highlight during my work with Project Open Hand. I have found most moments of clarity and resolution at the break of dawn, running foot-to-pavement within many neighborhoods our clients are sleeping in.
While we are closing the door on The Giant Race and this chapter of Project Open Hand, we look back with fondness, as Giant Enterprises will forever be embedded in the Project Open Hand story for its dedication to bring life-saving nutrition to those in need.
From the entire Project Open Hand community, including staff, volunteers and clients, we thank you, Giant Enterprises.
-Mark Ryle, LCSW
CEO, Project Open Hand
THE HISTORY OF THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANT RACE
Plate to Plate, at its beginning, was the only local event of its kind in which participants experienced crossing home plate at AT&T Park. The once-a-year opportunity gave families, friends and local businesses the chance to enjoy the summer sun and participate in America’s favorite pastime, while raising money and awareness for a vital local community organization – Project Open Hand.
In 2006, Tom Nolan, the then Executive Director of Project Open Hand, along with Nancy and Robert approached Peter McGowan, Owner of the San Francisco Giants, about the event and invited the Giants to partner in this effort. Mr. McGowan and the San Francisco Giants enthusiastically came on board.
In the first year, we attracted 3,000 participants and raised over $100,000 for Project Open Hand’s meals with love.
THE PARTNERSHIP WITH PROJECT OPEN HAND
In 2010, Project Open Hand laced up our running shoes and happily announced that the Plate to Plate 5K had joined forces with the first ever branded AT&T Giant Race that would take place in June of that year. In addition to the Plate to Plate 5K distance, the newly minted AT&T Giant Race featured a half marathon distance through Pier 39, Fort Mason, and North Beach…and like always both races triumphantly finished across home plate at AT&T Park – an honored tradition.
For 12 years Project Open Hand and Giants Enterprises/The Giant Race partnered to bring greater awareness to the need for medically tailored food and the need to financially support Project Open Hand’s meals with love. This long-standing partnership raised $2.1 million dollars.
THE PARTICIPANTS AND SUPPORTERS
A huge thank you to Project Open Hand’s past Plate to Plate/Giant Race supporters, without whom this event would not have been possible for so many years.
Thanks to the 600+ volunteers that showed up without fail for years! The race could not happen without your hands and hearts – everything we do at Project Open Hand starts and ends with volunteers.
THE CHANGE TO COME AND IMPACT IT LEAVES
As Giants Enterprises/The Giant Race re-prioritize their charitable giving, we send them well wishes. There are many national health and youth charity partners doing good work that will benefit from the momentum Project Open Hand and Giants Enterprises/The Giant Race built over 12 years.
As you can imagine, the funds raised through our supporters’ generosity and the momentum of the Giant Race will be hard to replace — but not impossible, because we know that this community always answers the call. Our 34-year history is proof of that.
An abbreviated calendar with links to our other events can be found here. If you unable to join us this year, we ask that you consider a donation equal to the amount of your past Giant Race registration ($50 $100, $150) to one of these events that makes our meals with love possible.
