Eric, an OHK volunteer, at the Open Heart Food Bank
Our Mission
Provide equitable access to nutritious food today, while building a food secure tomorrow.
Our Vision
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
Dignity: Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
Innovation: Ending hunger requires innovative solutions.
Advocacy: Ending hunger requires action to create systemic change.
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.
Isaiah, an OHK volunteer, at the Dublin Senior Center
2025–2030 Strategic Pillars
• End immediate food insecurity by providing nutritious food.
• End the cycle of poverty through advocacy and partnerships.
• Improve and strengthen organizational capacity and infrastructure.
• Enhance program reach and impact through innovative strategies.
A message from the
Executive Director
Over the past year, I’ve found myself doing something I never expected: spending my weekends learning how to play golf with my sixteen-year-old son. He picked up an interest seemingly out of nowhere, and while I hadn’t swung a club in years (and had never been much of a golfer to begin with) I saw an opportunity for us to learn something new together.
Our first visits to the driving range were humbling. My swing was stiff, my back was sore, and everything felt unfamiliar. But slowly, bucket by bucket, we both began to find our rhythm. Eventually, we graduated from the driving range to the course—first nine holes, then eighteen. We’re still far from experts, but we have grown into the game together, learning, adjusting, and celebrating every small victory along the way.
This experience has been on my mind often as we launched the Open Heart Food Bank this year, one of the most ambitious and transformative undertakings in Open Heart Kitchen’s 30-year history.
Just like those early days at the driving range, the learning curve for opening a food bank has been steep. Our team has taken on an entirely new operational model, with new equipment, safety procedures, and inventory systems. They’ve had to master weighing in donations, managing warehouse flow, and establishing an efficient schedule to move food out quickly and safely to our Partner Agencies. The work is both mentally demanding and physically intense, and there have been real “sore muscles” along the way.
But also like golf, we’ve grown stronger and more confident with every swing.
Volunteers from Kaiser Permanente
sorting produce at the Open Heart Food Bank
This year, we successfully on-boarded nine Partner Agencies, each now receiving and distributing fresh, nutritious food throughout the Tri-Valley. We built a warehouse operation from the ground up, learned from every misstep, listened to our partners, and adapted in real time. What started as a bold vision has become a fully functioning food bank that is already expanding access to healthy food for thousands of neighbors across the Tri-Valley.
Program Coordinators, Christi and Hannah, at one
of the Food Bank’s first food recovery pickups at the
Pleasanton Costco
I am deeply proud of our team. They have the courage to try something new, a willingness to push through growing pains, and an unwavering commitment to showing up for our community every single day. This year reminded me that growth rarely comes easily, but it does come when people work together toward a purpose larger than themselves.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support has allowed Open Heart Kitchen to take this incredible leap forward, and your partnership will carry us through the next eighteen holes and far beyond.
With Gratitude,
January, 2025
Open Heart Kitchen (OHK) celebrates 1 year at the Vineyard Resource Center.
Soft-launch of the Open Heart Food Bank (OHFB) with the addition of a second delivery truck and the first food-sorting projects.
March
Regular group volunteering opportunities kick off at the OHFB. Early groups include Kaiser Permanente, ZOLL, and representatives from Tulancingo, Mexico, a sister city to Pleasanton.
February
OHFB establishes a new food recovery partnership with the Pleasanton Costco and begins weekly pickups.
An open house is hosted for partner agencies at OHFB.
April
Volunteer Appreciation Month is celebrated. Volunteers fill over 600 shifts each month and support the operations of all of OHK’s programs. 2025 volunteer of the year: Beth Kleine.
Swords to Plowshares added as a partner at Vineyard to connect veterans to housing resources.
April_Volunteers.jpg)
May
OHFB open house event is hosted for the general public; joined by partner organizations, generous community members, and local elected officials.
Sandia Labs packs hundreds of snack bags for Open Heart Refuge clients in honor of Affordable Housing Week.
May_Sandia.jpg)
July
OHK’s Executive Director, John Bost, joined KKIQ’s Mel McKay for another Philanthropy Thursday.
The 2025 Alameda County Fair wraps up. Community members
volunteer 326 hours to the fair on behalf of OHK, with $7 being donated for every hour!
June
A $400,000 matching campaign is completed, sponsored by an anonymous donor.
The annual “Comedy Uncorked” comedy show series kicks off to raise funds for OHK.
June_Comedy%20Uncorked.webp)
August
One of the original members of the Open Heart Refuge “Core Group” (nightly client) received permanent housing.
OHK tables at the Tri-Valley NonProfit Alliance Resource Expo Event at the Robert Livermore
Community Center.
April_Volunteers_edited.jpg)
September
Heart of the Tri-Valley Gala celebrates OHK’s 30th anniversary. A record-breaking $260,000 was raised by 350+ attendees.
OHK was honored at the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Auction as one of four beneficiaries.
September_Gala%20(2).jpg)
November
The Rotary Clubs of Livermore rallied together in record time to raise money to support OHK, CityServe of the Tri-Valley, and Tri-Valley Haven during the government shutdown and SNAP losses, with each organization receiving gifts of $25,000.
November_Rotary_JPG.jpg)
October
OHK was selected by Interact Club 5170 to be their 2025–26 Community Project Partner, providing 5,000 volunteer hours towards our community and creating 1,000 supply kits that provide necessary supplies and compassion for unhoused folks.
October_Beds_JPG.jpg)
December
Executive Director, John Bost receives the 2025 G.G. Greenhouse Community Hero Award from Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless. This honor is given to individuals who have made a meaningful impact in the shared work of improving the lives and health of people experiencinghomelessness in Alameda County.
December_John%20Award_JPG.jpg)
Impact Stats 2025
998,482
TOTAL MEALS SERVED
36,964
SENIOR MEALS
SERVED TO 707 CLIENTS
114,379
COMMUNITY MEALS
SERVED TO 1,082 CLIENTS
836,863
EQUIVALENT MEALS
PROVIDED THROUGH OUR FOOD BANK
10,276
SHELTER CLIENT MEALS
SERVED (DINNER & BREAKFAST)
10,415
COLLECTIVE NIGHTS
OF REST FOR 185 SHELTER CLIENTS
21,229
SERVICE BY 1,071 VOLUNTEERS
Equivalent to 11 full-time positions
HOURS OF VOLUNTEER
9
PARTNER AGENCIES
SUPPORTED BY OUR FOOD BANK
Today, the Open Heart Food Bank stands on the shoulders of that history, powered by expertise gained, trust earned, and deep community partnerships.
At the heart of Open Heart Food Bank is a new network of nine partner agencies, each bringing their own strengths, programs, and compassion to the people they serve. From neighborhood church distributions to apartment complexes, these partners help ensure that high-quality groceries reach every corner of the Tri-Valley. Working together, we maximize the impact of every donation, every pallet rescued, and every volunteer hour invested.
This collaboration doesn’t just improve access to food. It builds a stronger, more resilient local food security network. With the support from the Alameda County Community Food Bank, OHK now has the infrastructure and coordination capacity to reduce food waste, improve distribution efficiency, and respond quickly to emerging needs.
The launch of the Open Heart Food Bank reflects the power of community, partnership, and years of perseverance. And it represents our commitment to a simple, steadfast belief: everyone deserves reliable access to nourishing food, no matter their circumstances.
178,594
pounds of Recovered Food
Powered by Community
The Generosity Fueling the OPEN HEART FOOD BANK
Community generosity has made the Open Heart Food Bank possible in countless ways. From day one, volunteers have played a crucial role in bringing the Open Heart Food Bank to life, assisting with daily operations, sorting donations, and helping distribute food to those who need it most. Delivery trucks were donated by First Presbyterian Church of Livermore and ChoiceLunch, and a full truck-wrapping project was sponsored by Fremont Bank, with graphic design work donated by Cheri Brewster helping to make the trucks highly visible in our community. Partnerships with local agencies and our continued collaboration with the Alameda County Community Food Bank allow Open Heart Food Bank to expand access, reduce waste, and strengthen the local food security network.
Open Heart Food Bank's
9 PARTNER AGENCIES
Graceland Food Pantry
90,307 lbs
of OHFB food in 2025
Camellia Place
13,319 lbs
of OHFB food in 2025
Volunteers from ZOLL at the
Open Heart Food Bank
Interfaith Sharing Food Pantry
55,223 lbs
of OHFB food in 2025
Las Positas College Mini-Market
19,457 lbs
of OHFB food in 2025
St. Michael Catholic Church
53,590 lbs
of OHFB food in 2025
Muslim Community Center,
East Bay
214,372 lbs
of OHFB food in 2025
Operations at the Open Heart Food Bank
St. Raymond Church
36,880 lbs
of OHFB food in 2025
The Well Community Outreach
76,922 lbs
of OHFB food in 2025
Tri-Valley Haven Food Pantry
56,451 lbs
of OHFB food in 2025
Before the Open Heart Food Bank (OHFB) opened, local pantries had to pick up food from the Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB) in Oakland, or request deliveries when possible. Now, OHFB serves as the Tri-Valley’s hub—receiving food from ACCFB to support nine Partner Agency food pantries in our community.
A Stronger Table for All
How OPEN HEART FOOD BANK is Building a Better Food System
In Spring 2025, Open Heart Kitchen proudly opened the Open Heart Food Bank. This milestone is years in the making, and one that marks a powerful new chapter in our mission to address hunger across the Tri-Valley. As an official Redistribution Organization for the Alameda County Community Food Bank, Open Heart Food Bank now serves as a vital hub within the Feeding America ecosystem, expanding equitable access to groceries throughout our region. From our Livermore facility, we collect, sort, package, and distribute essential food to partner pantries that serve thousands of our neighbors each month.
While the Food Bank represents a major step forward, its roots trace back to 2020, when Open Heart Kitchen stepped in during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to operate an emergency food distribution for Alameda County. This rapid-response operation eventually evolved into our temporary Pop-Up Pantry Program, and those years of hands-on experience laid critical groundwork. By the time the Alameda County Community Food Bank sought to expand its redistribution network, OHK was prepared. Becoming an official Redistribution Organization and launching the Open Heart Food Bank was a natural and necessary evolution of work already underway.
The services at the
VINEYARD RESOURCE CENTER
One Door, Many Pathways
Location:
Vineyard Resource Center
450 N. Livermore Ave, Livermore
Open to the public:
Monday - Friday
9 AM - 5 PM
The Vineyard Resource Center
At the Vineyard Resource Center, Open Heart Kitchen provides a full spectrum of services designed to meet immediate needs while fostering long-term growth. Our Community Meal Program offers free, nutritious meals to seniors, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Open Heart Refuge provides safe overnight shelter along with a hot dinner and breakfast. Elsewhere in the Center, clients can access case management, housing navigation, showers, laundry services, career counseling, and more.
The Vineyard Resource Center is a place where our neighbors’ struggles, hopes, and dreams are validated, supported, and nurtured. It is a space where children enjoy nutritious meals, seniors find companionship, and adults in transition receive the tools and encouragement they need to move forward. Each day, our dedicated staff and volunteers witness small yet powerful victories: a family returning home with meals in hand, a shelter guest securing permanent housing, or a client connecting with a partner agency that can help them achieve a life-changing milestone, such as sobriety or reconnection with their family.
The Vineyard Resource Center
With the continued support of our donors, volunteers, and community partners, the Vineyard Resource Center remains a beacon of hope in the Tri-Valley. Together, we are ensuring that every neighbor has access not only to the food they need today, but also the opportunities that will sustain them for tomorrow.
You can contribute to this network as a volunteer, a donor, or by connecting OHK with community partners who can support our mission. Visit openheartkitchen.org to learn more and get involved.
When the Budget Breaks, the Meal is Still Here
The COMMUNITY MEAL Program
Location:
Vineyard Resource Center
450 N. Livermore Ave, Livermore
Service times:
Monday - Friday
12 PM - 5 PM
Restrictions:
None
At the heart of Open Heart Kitchen’s mission is the Community Meal Program, which provides free, nutritious meals to anyone in need across the Tri-Valley. But the program provides more than just food—it offers dignity, connection, and hope. Every guest who walks through the doors of the Vineyard Resource Center experiences a welcoming space where they are valued, respected, and supported.
For first-time visitors, the journey begins at the front desk, where guests complete a simple self-reported intake form. From there, they pass through halls lined with displays of client artwork and Vineyard’s resources before entering the dining room. There, they are greeted by OHK staff and volunteers who guide them through the cafeteria-style meal service. Guests can help themselves from the self-serve beverage station before taking a seat to enjoy a warm, nutritious meal in a communal, supportive environment.
After the meal is finished, the experience continues. Guests are encouraged to explore the full range of resources the Center offers. They can take a shower, do laundry, select clothing from the closet, or relax in the community room. Representatives from partner agencies are onsite daily, ready to assist with medical referrals, housing navigation, employment opportunities, and other essential services. Every step of this journey is designed to meet immediate needs while helping guests take tangible steps toward long-term stability.
Providing Shelter, Stability, and
Pathways Forward
A Look Inside OPEN HEART REFUGE
Location:
Vineyard Resource Center
450 N. Livermore Ave, Livermore
Service times:
Every night
6 PM - 8 AM
Restrictions:
Adults,
reserved bed model
For individuals facing homelessness in the Tri-Valley, Open Heart Refuge is far more than a place to sleep. It’s a place of hope, safety, and new beginnings. Located at the Vineyard Resource Center, the shelter provides a safe bed, hot dinner and breakfast, and access to critical services that help guests take steps toward a brighter future.
This shelter program is held in our Vineyard dining room, where tables are stored away nightly to make room for 30 beds. The room is bursting, and demand continues to outpace availability. For the 30 individuals who find solace and safety in this year-round shelter—Alameda County’s 3rd largest—it’s enough for now. For the more than 20 who do not have a nightly bed, but whose names are added to a rolling waitlist, there is a glimmer of hope. Every bed, blanket, and volunteer who contributes to this life-changing program is vital, but despite our best efforts it is simply not enough to provide shelter for everyone in need. We will continue to fight for access to services for all of our neighbors, but we know that these solutions will take longer than they should. There is an urgent need for regional solutions to address homelessness in the Bay Area.
Volunteers and donors make this work possible. We rely on volunteers to help check in our guests nightly. Mike and Joe, both dedicated volunteers, know firsthand what our clients need, and they went above and beyond by donating mission-critical items. From Mike purchasing new cots to Joe and his wife, Thais, supplying blankets, their generosity reflects the deep care our volunteers carry into this work. Individual contributions like theirs have a profound impact, helping Open Heart Refuge provide comfort, safety, and stability to those who need it most.
Breakfast is served daily
For those clients who are able to access care from the Open Heart Refuge, their lives are changing for the better through individualized care and attention. One guest, a vulnerable young man who has a developmental disability, was being exploited and verbally abused by staff from a for-profit organization. OHK staff contacted Adult Protective Services, reserved a nightly bed in the Refuge, and banned the organization from Vineyard’s property. This client now has a secure place to rest and access to the support he needs while we continue to work toward securing a long-term solution.
Good Things Happen at the Table of Connection & Care
Inside Open Heart Kitchen's
SENIOR MEAL Program
For many older adults in the Tri-Valley, a warm meal is about far more than nourishment: It’s an opportunity for connection with dignity. Open Heart Kitchen’s Senior Meal Program provides nutritious lunches in welcoming dining spaces where seniors can enjoy their meals with a healthy helping of companionship.
Behind every meal, a dedicated team ensures the experience is seamless. Evelyn, Site Supervisor for the Dublin Senior Center location, emphasized, “Teamwork makes dreams work! From behind the scenes, to the kitchen, to the dining room.” Each of our service sites has just one employee to oversee meal service. The rest of the onsite team is composed of compassionate, hard-working volunteers who plate, serve, clean, and interact with our guests. Sylvia, a regular diner, shared, “On a scale from 1-10, I’d give Open Heart Kitchen a 10! The meals are good, the service is great, and the dining room is always clean.”
Food is, of course, a highlight. Meily and Marvin, long- time attendees, said, “We come to the senior center for two reasons: we enjoy the food – especially the soup, with pumpkin-apple as our favorite – and we’ve also made some nice friends here. After our meal, a group of us often plays chess together.” Fellow diner, Ken, said, “My favorite meal is Shepherd’s Pie. I also really enjoyed the cauliflower-leek soup.”
The Senior Meal Program not only nourishes the body but also empowers participants to age with dignity, confidence, and control over their health. The meals consist of hearty soups, protein-rich entrees, and seasonal fruits. Each meal is thoughtfully prepared to support both wellness and enjoyment. Through the simple act of sharing a meal, Open Heart Kitchen creates spaces where older adults are valued, supported, and connected to the broader Tri-Valley community.
Evelyn, center, with volunteers at the
Dublin Senior Center
Locations & Service Times (Monday - Friday):
Dublin Senior Center
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Robert Livermore Community Center
12 PM - 1 PM
Pleasanton Senior Center
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Restrictions:
Age 60+,
reservations required
A volunteer checking on Senior Meal Program diners
Volunteer Ron dishing up soup, the daily appetizer course, at the Pleasanton Senior Center
Serving with Heart, Meet the TEAM
Martin Alcantar
Food Bank Assistant
John Bost
Executive Director
Shawnda Bost
Operations Director
Marcy Braidman
Program Coordinator
Rosa Castaneda
Cook
Janice Coleman
Program Assistant
Breanna Cox
Shelter Coordinator
Heather Cuellar
Registered Dietitian
Todd Cunningham
Shelter Coordinator
Taylor Davis
Development Officer
Tanaka Dorsey
Cook
Hannah Evans
Program Coordinator
Dominique Fiataugaluia
Shelter Coordinator
Chris Futterer
Program Assistant
Gary Gomes
Street Outreach
Heather Greaux
CFO
Sharon Irizarry
Site Supervisor
Shekinah Leota
Shelter Coordinator
Gerardo Lopez
Assistant Chef
Evelyn Mattioli
Site Supervisor
Anita Miranda
Delivery Driver
Jorge Morales
Chef
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Kimberly Norton
Shelter Coordinator
Anthony Parker
Major Gifts Officer
Linda Roe
Site Supervisor
Perla Sandoval
Program Coordinator
Sahel Tahiri
Shelter Coordinator
Martin Valderrama
Cook
Christi Williams
Program Coordinator
Janette Pace
Board Chair
Jewel Hunt
Vice Chair
Carla Moore
Secretary
Nancy Allen
Board Member
Chuck Deckert
Board Member
Jeff Hank
Board Member
Bethany Horton
Board Member
Erick Lovdahl
Board Member
Nita Trivedi
Board Member
Kristina Vannoni
Board Member
as of June 30, 2025
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Grants receivable
Contributions receivable
In-kind contribution receivables
Prepaids and other current assets
Inventory
Property and equipment, net
Right-of-use lease assets - operating
Total Assets
2025
$ 1,159,970
__
347,307
1,846,606
126,524
146,673
5,012,908
1,236,201
$ 9,876,189
2024
$ 1,811,855
184,957
2,000
2,032,112
100,458
35,527
4,391,836
1,455,875
$ 10,014,620
Liabilities
Accounts payable
Accrued salaries and wages
Operating lease liabilities
Total Liabilities
$ 30,693
169,658
1,313,908
$ 1,514,259
$ 104,795
140,662
1,446,734
$ 1,692,191
Net Assets
Without donor restrictions
Undesignated
Board designated
Total Without Donor Restrictions
With Donor Restrictions
Total Net Assets
Total Liabilities and Net Assets
5,354,572
990,016
6,344,588
2,017,342
8,361,930
$ 9,876,189
2,573,530
2,096,291
4,669,821
3,652,608
8,322,429
$ 10,014,620
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITES
as of June 30, 2025
Revenues, gains (losses) & other support
Grants and Contributions
In-kind contributions, net
Federal grant income and contract income
State and local grant income
Fundraising and special events
Gain (loss) from disposal of property & equipment
Interest income Other income
Net assets released from restrictions
Total revenues, gains (losses) and other support
$ 1,550,607
1,166,424
--
--
264,403
20,163
19,077
1,880
3,167,534
6,190,088
Without Donor Restrictions
$ 468,489
--
612,075
451,704
--
--
--
--
(3,167,534)
(1,635,266)
With Donor Restrictions
2025 Total
$ 2,019,096
1,166,424
612,075
451,704
264,403
20,163
19,077
1,880
--
4,554,822
2024 Total
$ 2,685,563
2,824,884
505,618
453,558
125,444
5,028
39,765
674
--
6,640,534
Functional Expenses
Program services
Community meals
Open Heart Food Bank
Street outreach
Senior meals
Kitchen project
Open Heart Refuge
Total Program Services
Support Services
Management and general
Fundraising
Total Support Services
Total functional expenses
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR
1,038,489
1,511,966
--
665,527
--
612,719
$ 3,828,701
303,379
383,241
686,620
4,515,321
1,674,767
4,669,821
$ 6,344,588
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
(1,635,266)
3,652,608
$ 2,017,342
2025 Total
1,038,489
1,511,966
--
665,527
--
612,719
$ 3,828,701
303,379
383,241
686,620
4,515,321
39,501
8,322,429
$ 8,361,930
2024 Total
579,216
1,069,202
98,475
726,173
285,475
197,717
$ 2,956,258
287,942
336,756
624,698
3,580,956
3,059,578
5,262,851
$ 8,322,429