TODAY'S PROGRAM: OPEN HEART KITCHEN
We welcomed John Bost, Executive Director of Open Heart Kitchen, who shared the extensive support provided by Open Heart Kitchen, the Senior Meal Program, Vineyard Resource Center, Open Heart Refuge, and the Open Heart Food Bank.
Open Heart Kitchen began serving the community in 1995 and is approaching the 8 millionth meal served. Annually, John and his team raise about $3.5 million to meet the needs of individuals in our community who experience food insecurity. Volunteers work to gather, sort, and serve food. In addition to meals served at the facility on N Livermore Ave, senior meals are served at the Tri-Valley's senior centers. Over 37,000 senior meals were served to 740 guests in 2024.
The goal of Open Heart Kitchen is to stabilize individuals so that they do not have to think only about basic needs, but can move their thinking to dream and plan for their future.
The Vineyard Resource Center houses Open Heart Kitchen as well as a number of other facilities and services that provide support, stability and dignity to unhoused individuals. The Rotarian Foundation of Livermore funded the laundry room facilities and furnished a community room. In 2024, the laundry room saw 2,962 loads of laundry for 328 guests. Individuals have access to mailboxes, computers, showers, and some have long-term apartments. 373 guests were able to take over 5,800 showers at the Vineyard Resource Center.
The Open Heart dining room transforms each evening to become Open Heart Refuge, where 30 beds are set up to provide safe sleep to those who need a place to sleep. Open Heart Refuge is the third largest sleep refuge in Alameda County. In 2024, Open Heart Refuge provided 6,775 collective nights' rest for 172 guests.
John reminded us that food insecurity, along with housing insecurity, impacts many people, at different stages in their lives.
We are invited to support Open Heart Kitchen by volunteering and/or making a donation. We are also invited to join the annual fundraiser, the Heart of the Tri-Valley Gala on September 5.