Project Open Hand delivered its 30 millionth meal today to San Francisco resident Nicholas Galarza of Noe Valley.<\/p>\n
Galarza, who lives with HIV, has been a recipient of meals since 2020. He says the program helped him during a time when he faced job loss and now he continues to receive weekly meals and groceries.<\/p>\n
At a press conference outside his apartment, Chief Nutrition Officer at Project Open Hand, Katie Jackson, says that a 30 millionth meal is more than just food.<\/p>\n
“It’s the opportunity to connect in our community, to provide care, to provide love,” says Jackson.<\/p>\n
Project Open Hand\u2019s first meal started with one local resident.<\/p>\n
In 1985, 63-year old retiree, Ruth Brinker, witnessed a close friend with AIDS also suffering from malnutrition. As a former food service worker, she started preparing meals for this friend as well as other neighbors.<\/p>\n
Today, the program delivers more than 2,500 meals each day \u2014 not just to people with HIV, but many other health conditions.<\/p>\n
But federal and city funding cuts have already limited Project Open Hand\u2019s services \u2014 like breakfasts and weekend meals.<\/p>\n