About Us
What began as a grassroots effort to address hunger in Livermore in 1995 has grown into the Tri-Valley's largest hunger relief organization. Today, Open Heart Kitchen provides free meals, groceries, and shelter services throughout Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton through our Community Meal Program, Senior Meal Program, Open Heart Food Bank, and Open Heart Refuge. We believe everyone deserves equitable access to nutritious food and the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Guided by our commitment to fostering an inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible, and liberating (IDEAL) environment, we strive to serve our community with dignity, respect, and compassion. Together with our community partners, volunteers, and supporters, we are working toward a future where no one in the Tri-Valley experiences hunger.
What We Do
Community Meal Program
Free hot meals served weekdays at the Vineyard Resource Center.
Senior Meal Program
Nutritious lunches served at senior centers in Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton.
Open Heart Food Bank
Distributing food and resources throughout the Tri-Valley and supporting nine partner agencies.
Open Heart Refuge
Providing meals, shelter, and support for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Our Mission
Equitable access to nutritious food today, while building a food secure tomorrow.
Our Vision
Open Heart Kitchen will work with Community Partners to meet the most basic needs of vulnerable people in our community by empowering them to build better futures.
Our Guiding Principles
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Dignity – Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
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Innovation – Ending hunger requires innovative solutions.
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Advocacy – Ending hunger requires action to create systemic change.
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Collaboration – Hunger is linked to numerous issues and the only way to solve hunger is to work with partners to address issues of health, housing, and employment.
The Vineyard Resource Center serves as Open Heart Kitchen's central hub for meals, shelter, hygiene services, and community partnerships. Opened in 2024, the facility provides a welcoming space where individuals can access food and other essential resources in one location.
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2025 Impact
836,863
Meals worth of groceries distributed from the Open Heart Food Bank to it's nine Partner Agencies across the Tri-Valley.
114,379
Nourishing prepared meals provided to food-insecure Tri-Valley households through the Community Meal Program.
36,964
Senior Meal Program meals served to 707 clients age 60+. The program serves social lunches every weekday in all three Tri-Valley cities.
21,229
Hours volunteered by 1,071 dedicated community members. This includes preparing and serving meals, assisting shelter guests, and more.
10,415
Nights of rest for 185
unhoused folks at Open Heart Refuge. 10,276 meals (dinner and breakfast) were served to shelter guests.
Growing to Meet the Need
Since its founding in 1995, Open Heart Kitchen has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the Tri-Valley community. What began as a volunteer-driven meal program has grown into a comprehensive hunger relief organization providing meals, groceries, shelter, and supportive services.
Recent milestones include the opening of the Vineyard Resource Center in 2024 and the launch of the Open Heart Food Bank in 2025. Together, these initiatives have expanded our ability to serve individuals and families experiencing food insecurity while strengthening partnerships throughout the region. In recognition of this impact, Open Heart Kitchen was named Assembly District 16 Nonprofit of the Year in 2026.
In 2025 alone, Open Heart Kitchen provided 998,482 meals, 10,415 nights of shelter, and support to nine partner agencies. As community needs continue to grow, we remain committed to ensuring equitable access to nutritious food today while building a food-secure tomorrow.
